First broadcast: 1957
Stars: William Hartnell, Bernard Bresslaw, Charles Hawtrey, Dick Emery, Alfie Bass and more
Creator: Sid Colin, who also wrote the series along with other comedy talents such as Marty Feldman and Barry Took
The lowdown: This classic black and white 1950s/1960s sitcom follows the antics of a group of incompetent conscripts on National Service. Characters include Private 'Popeye' Popplewell (Bernard Bresslaw), Private Montague 'Excused Boots' Bisley (Alfie Bass) and Private 'Professor' Hatchett (Charles Hawtrey), who, along with their colleagues, try to get away with as little work as possible. Can the bullish Sgt Major Bullimore (William Hartnell) whip them into shape?
Memorable moments: Listen out for Private 'Popeye' Popplewell’s gormless catchphrase “I only arsked!” each time he gets into a sticky situation. It was one of the first TV catchphrases to enter the public consciousness in such a big way.
Trivia: The show provided a launch-pad to bigger things for many of the cast, with William Hartnell going on to play the first Doctor Who. Hartnell along with Bresslaw, Hawtrey and Emery also appeared in Carry On films.
The theme tune was sung by several of the cast including Bresslaw and Bass, and reached No. 5 in the UK singles chart in 1968. Bass and Bill Fraser’s characters got their own spin-off show, Bootsie and Snudge, which ran from 1960-74. Many of the show’s writers and actors had completed RAF or army service, so could draw on their own real-life experiences.
