The lowdown: 'The Army Game' was broadcast on ITV1 between 19 June 1957 and 20 June 1961. Some 154 episodes were
made in glorious black and white, although only about 50 are known to exist today. It centred on the officers and conscripted
men based at the Surplus Ordnance Depot at Nether Hopping. The focus was the men who share Hut 29, and their efforts to
get through their period of national service while doing as little work and having as much fun as possible. The series starred
William Hartnell as Sgt.-Maj. Percy Bullimore, who appeared in seasons one, two and five. He was subsequently replaced
by a charater played by Bill Hunter, before returning for the final season. There were other cast changes during the show's 
run, although regulars at various times included Charles Hawtrey, Bernard Bresslaw and Dick Emery. Hawtrey and Bresslaw 
of course later became famous for the Carry On films, the first of which starred Hartnell.

The episode: 'The New Officer' was the final episode of series one, and was first broadcast on 4 December 1957. Lieutenant
Ffinch takes charge of the depot while the commanding officer is away. Ffinch proves to be very accident-prone and rather
incompetent, and is immediately disliked by both the men and Sgt-Major Bullimore. When Bullimore overhears Ffinch's plan
to test the men with a fire drill using smoke cannisters, he lets the conscripts know about the plan so they can be ready and
not look bad in front of the commanding officer. However, things go awry and Brigadier Hunt relieves Ffinch of command and
leaves Bullimore in charge until the commanding officer returns.

The verdict: 'The Army Game' is an entertaining series from a bygone era, and while the humour may be rather low-key
compared with modern sitcoms, it is still highly enjoyable. Perhaps one of its biggest attractions is the opportunity to see
some of Britain's leading comedy stars of the 1960s and 1970s early in their careers. William Hartnell in particular is very
good, and the character of Sgt-Major Bullimore is very similar to his role of Sergeant Grimshawe in 'Carry on Sergeant',
which was made in 1958.

  Video Clips:
Lieutenant Ffinch
Bullimore in charge
5.9mb
3.7.mb
 
<< Back to the William Hartnell page