Porridge - Paul Barber's role

[Fletchy]

A film I have watched and enjoyed many times is the film version of the TV series Porridge with Ronnie Barker/Richard Beckinsale etc.

I always notice Paul Barber (OFAH etc) in the background in many scenes, and have always just assumed he was employed as an extra, and it must have been made before he was well known. The film was made in early 1979 (remember that cold winter?) and Paul Barber had already played quite major parts on TV e.g. Gangsters, so it seems strange that he would be employed only as an extra in a non-speaking part.

I now notice on IMDB he is given a credit and is listed with the character name of Morgan. Does anybody know if there is a story behind this? Could it be he had a speaking part that was cut from the final version of the film?

Thanks

[faginsgirl]

A film I have watched and enjoyed many times is the film version of the TV series Porridge with Ronnie Barker/Richard Beckinsale etc.

I always notice Paul Barber (OFAH etc) in the background in many scenes, and have always just assumed he was employed as an extra, and it must have been made before he was well known. The film was made in early 1979 (remember that cold winter?) and Paul Barber had already played quite major parts on TV e.g. Gangsters, so it seems strange that he would be employed only as an extra in a non-speaking part.

I now notice on IMDB he is given a credit and is listed with the character name of Morgan. Does anybody know if there is a story behind this? Could it be he had a speaking part that was cut from the final version of the film?

Thanks

I presume his part was cut out of the film. I`m sure you don`t get credited unless you have a speaking part of at least one line.

Was he in any episodes of the Porridge series? I am imaging him in it now, but no sure if that is all I`m doing...imagining!

[MovieDudeToo]

He does appear in Porridge but only in a small role. I think he does actually speak a line or two but don't quote me on that.

Here he is as Morgan (queuing for dinner I think)

Paul Barber.jpg

[Fletchy]

He does appear in Porridge but only in a small role. I think he does actually speak a line or two but don't quote me on that.

Here he is as Morgan (queuing for dinner I think)

Attachment 6497

Yes, he is in a few scenes in the film. Also at the football match, in the doctor's waiting room etc, but he doesn't have any lines. He didn't appear in the TV series of Porridge. The only prominent black character in the series was the Scot McClaren (Tony Osoba).

This is one of my favourite films, and I have watched it a few times. He definitely doesn't speak.