What is "rising damp"

n. A condition caused by ground moisture rising up a masonry wall by capillary action

Rising Damp is a British sitcom produced by Yorkshire Television for ITV. ITV originally broadcast the programme from 1974 until 1978. It was adapted for television by Eric Chappell from his 1971 stage play The Banana Box (retained as the working title early in the series). The series was the highest-ranking ITV sitcom in BBC's 100 Best Sitcoms poll of 2004.

Rising Damp is a 1980 comedy film based on the British situation comedy Rising Damp, which aired on ITV from 1974 to 1978. The television series was, in turn, adapted from Eric Chappell's stage play The Banana Box. Chappell adapted the play to television, and wrote the screenplay for this feature film. The film's director was Joseph McGrath.

Leonard Rossiter plays Rupert Rigsby, the middle-aged landlord of a decrepit townhouse. Rigsby has fallen for his only female tenant, Ruth Jones ( Frances de la Tour). Ruth, however, prefers Philip, who is much younger, more attractive, and more sophisticated than either Rigsby or her. Philip ( Don Warrington) is not especially interested in Ruth, but he eggs Rigsby on in order to humiliate him.

In adapting the television series to film, the setting was changed from Yorkshire to inner-city London.

For her performance as Ruth Jones, Frances da la Tour received an Evening Standard British Film Award in the category of "Best Actress".