Writing

Ronald Chesney

Born May 4, 1920 · London, England, United Kingdom

Died April 12, 2018 · aged 97

Ronald Chesney (born René Lucien Cadier; 4 May 1920 – 12 April 2018) was an English television writer, best known for his working partnership with Ronald Wolfe (as Chesney and Wolfe); under this, the duo created several British sitcoms, including The Rag Trade (1961–1963, 1977–1978), Meet the Wife (1963–1966), On the Buses (1969–1973) and Romany Jones (1972–1975).

Known For

Holiday on the BusesHoliday on the Buses · 1973
Holiday on the Buses
7.41973
MovieComedy
Due to a female passenger falling out of her top whilst running for the bus Stan is distracted and crashes the bus resulting in the depot managers car being written off. As a result Stan, Jack and Blakey are fired. Stan and Jack soon get new jobs as a bus crew at a Pontins holiday resort but discover that Blakey has also gotten a job there as the chief security guard.
Mutiny on the BusesMutiny on the Buses · 1972
Mutiny on the Buses
7.31972
MovieComedy
Bus driver Stan Butler agrees to marry Suzy, much to the anguish of Mum, her son-in-law, Arthur, and daughter Olive. How, they wonder, will they ever manage without Stan's money coming in? Then Arthur is sacked, and Stan agrees to delay the wedding. Meanwhile, he hits on an idea: Arthur should learn to drive a bus. Somehow he does just that, and even gets a job. Stan then blackmails the Depot Manager into giving him the job of driver on the new money-making Special Tours Bus. A great idea ...if only the inspector hadn't taken Stan on his trial run to the Windsor Safari Park
On the BusesOn the Buses · 1971
On the Buses
6.31971
MovieComedy
Stan gets a little annoyed when his Mum and Sister keep buying expensive items on hire purchase, but the money he earns for overtime working as a bus driver means that he can afford it... just! His job is secure, as bus drivers are hard to come by, and his overtime prospects are good, until the bus company decide to revoke a long standing rule and employ women bus drivers. Aghast at the thought of
Value for MoneyValue for Money · 1955
Value for Money
6.91955
MovieComedy
A wealthy young man from Yorkshire visits a London nightclub and meets a performer. She decides to take him for every penny he is worth, and he decides to let her.
They Met in the DarkThey Met in the Dark · 1943
They Met in the Dark
6.31943
MovieMysteryRomance
A Royal navy Commander is tricked by a pretty girl who is working for the Nazis. She tricks him into revealing some military secrets and he is court martial. He vows to track her and her accomplices down.
I've Gotta HorseI've Gotta Horse · 1965
I've Gotta Horse
6.31965
MovieComedyMusic
A fast-moving comedy with Billy Fury, who plays himself in the film. The story reveals his great love of animals, and it features his own racehorse, Anselmo. Also featured are several of Billy's own dogs.
Facing the MusicFacing the Music · 1941
Facing the Music
8.01941
MovieMusicComedy
Betty driver vehicle
Fredrikssons fabrikk – The movieFredrikssons fabrikk – The movie · 1994
Fredrikssons fabrikk – The movie
6.51994
MovieComedy
Newly divorced factory manager Fredriksson has found a new partner, and has hired her as chief designer at the factory. Her role models are the top fashion houses in Paris, and she has plans ready for renovations. But how do the employees react? Pia, Kari, Oddveig, Margit and Tommy? And what happens when everyone is laid off due to declining order intake?

Filmography

Sort
Romany JonesRomany Jones · 1972
Romany Jones
6.81972
SeriesComedy
Romany Jones is a British sitcom created and written by Ronald Chesney and Ronald Wolfe for LWT. Broadcast between 1973 and 1975, the programme follows the comic misadventures of two layabout families living on a caravan site. Originally designed as a starring vehicle for James Beck (Dad's Army), the 1972 pilot and 1973 first series centred on Bert and Betty Jones (Jo Rowbottom), newlywed after seven years, who spend their wedding night in their rickety caravan, natural to Bert but distinctly alien to Betty, born and bred in Streatham. Most of the humour focused on life in theirs and a neighbouring caravan housing Lily and Wally Briggs (Queenie Watts and Arthur Mullard, although Arthur English was cast in the pilot). Following Beck's death after completion on the second series, Bert and Betty were written out, and replaced with a city gentleman and his debutante wife, both of whom remain blissfully oblivious to the Briggs' antics.

Writer

The Rag TradeThe Rag Trade · 1961
The Rag Trade
6.31961
SeriesComedy
The Rag Trade is a British television sitcom broadcast by the BBC between 1961 and 1963 and by LWT between 1977 and 1978. The scripts were by Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney, who later wrote Wild, Wild Women, Meet the Wife and On the Buses. Wild, Wild Women was a period variation of The Rag Trade. The action centred on a small clothing workshop, Fenner Fashions in London. Although run by Harold Fenner and Reg the foreman, the female workers are led by militant shop steward Paddy Fleming, ever ready to strike, with the catchphrase "Everybody out!" Other cast members included Sheila Hancock, Esma Reese Cannon, Wanda Ventham and Barbara Windsor. The Rag Trade was revived by ITV company LWT in 1977, with Jones and Karlin reprising their roles. The 1977 version ran for two series, most of the scripts being based on the BBC episodes from the 1960s, and featured Anna Karen and future EastEnders star Gillian Taylforth as factory workers. The theme tune for the LWT series was written and performed by Lynsey De Paul.

Creator