689:, most notably from Sub Lieutenant Phillips: "Corrrrr", "Ooh, nasty...", "Oh lumme!", and "Left hand down a bit". "Ev'rybody down!" was a phrase of CPO Pertwee's, necessitated by a string of incomprehensible navigation orders by Phillips, and followed by a sound effect of the ship crashing. Also, whenever Pertwee had a menial job to be done, Able Seaman Johnson was always first in line to do it, inevitably against his will: "You're rotten, you are!". The telephone response from Naval Intelligence (Ronnie Barker), was always an extremely gormless and dimwitted delivery of
1202:
657:
34:
700:
Other recurring verbal features were the invented words "humgrummit" and "floggle-toggle" which served to cover all manner of unspecified objects ranging from foodstuffs to naval equipment. Unspecified illnesses include "the twingeing screws", an illness to which
Pertwee was a martyr, especially when
952:
broadcast to
English speaking listeners from their Durban studios, but because it was a commercial station, the BBC refused to allow the station to re-broadcast the recorded shows. However, the station acquired the scripts from Wyman and edited them to around twenty-five minutes each, to accommodate
433:
themselves without their direct superior, Commander (later
Captain) "Thunderguts" Povey finding out. Scenes frequently featured a string of eccentric characters, often played by Ronnie Barker or Jon Pertwee. Over the course of the programme Lt Murray marries Admiral Ffont-Bittocks' daughter Rita.
681:
on a Barry Music compilation of short interlude pieces published in 1958 on BMC118. In one episode, The Return of Sir
Frederick Flatley, a brief snippet of the theme tune is heard when Lieutenant Bates tries to connect the ship to a whaling ship by radio and accidentally "connects" to the actual
432:
Episodes were self-contained, although there was continuity within the series, and sometimes a reference to a previous episode might be made. A normal episode consisted of Sub Lt
Phillips, scheming Chief Petty Officer Pertwee, and bemused Lt. Murray trying to get out of trouble they created for
742:
starting with what would have been the programme's fifth series. This situation came about due to the head of light entertainment believing that "forces"-based humour had become dated and television was the next "big thing", so Lawrie Wyman was ordered to create a show with the same cast in an
918:
refused to employ Price "because he was gay." Pertwee was among those who objected to Price not being in the film and believed that this contributed to his own replacement in the cast by Shiner. Pertwee noted that the film "bombed" and said audiences did not consider the film to be
436:
The
Republic of Potarneyland, a country situated somewhere on the Indian subcontinent, is featured in several episodes. Over the course of the series, it is revealed that Potarneyland had recently been granted independence from
701:
hearing about being under sailing orders. Ronnie Barker's versatile contributions were recognised and Laurie Wyman (later known as Lawrie Wyman) was asked by the producer to write more parts for Barker.
914:. According to Jon Pertwee's co-written memoir, published shortly after his death in 1996, the film was also supposed to star Pertwee and Dennis Price. However, according to Pertwee the film's producer
871:
of fictional company
British United Plastics, and concerns the business machinations of the chairman, Sir Charles Boniface (Edwards), and his son and deputy chairman, Frank Boniface (Thornton).
369:. In series 1 and 2, the ship and crew were stationed offshore at an unnamed location known simply as "The Island". In series 2 this island was revealed to be owned by Lt. Cdr. Stanton.
141:
758:
for this series. However, mainly due to public pressure, the production team of
Alastair Scott Johnston and Laurie Wyman managed to revert the show to nautical capers. Storylines in
1125:
402:
bulletins. He worked with George Evans (Pertwee's personal scriptwriter) from quite early on, but
Alastair Scott Johnston did not want him named until the 12th series onward.
685:
The programme was strong on creating identifiable characters; the listener was able to clearly differentiate each person Laurie Wyman created, many of whom acquired enduring
413:, whose names rotated in order of precedence with each new episode over the entire 15-series run. Stephen Murray's daughter, Amanda Murray, also appeared in a few episodes.
953:
the commercial breaks. The revised show was recorded by local actors in front of a live audience. All the UK associations were kept for the South
African audiences.
940:, 1964â5) set in a naval shore establishment in which Caldicot played Captain Turvey, but only one series was made. The entire series is considered lost.
1062:
644:
948:
The show was cut from 30 to 27 minutes by BBC Transcription services, then the discs were exported around the world except for South Africa.
1112:
390:
is frequently quoted as having suggested the idea of a forces comedy based on the Royal Navy, but Alastair Scott Johnston and writer
1280:
743:
independent TV station situation. Alastair Scott Johnston and Wyman tried to stop this but were overruled: hence, the arrival of
1275:
1255:
98:
1260:
1250:
70:
635:
as Henry Pettigrew (Series 8, ep. 10) and standing-in for CPO Pertwee as cousin Nathaniel Pertwee (Series 11, episode 8)
563:
Chasen, Mrs. Ramona Povey, Lady Toddhunter-Brown, Rita Murray (nÊe Ffont-Bittocks), Second Officer McCluty, The Mistress
1172:
117:
77:
1084:
1290:
1285:
678:
962:
560:
322:
84:
55:
51:
1053:
606:
as WREN Barrett (Series 15 only). April had been contracted to appear as the new companion to Jon Pertwee in
837:
roles in two episodes. Frank Thornton also appeared in character as Sir Henry Pettigrew in one episode of
66:
398:. Wyman included ideas based on excuses for late return from leave and other misdemeanours from HMS
1270:
476:
381:
44:
937:
528:
510:
410:
241:
157:
853:
580:
456:
265:
886:
762:
nudged back to naval origins across the ten episodes until they were finally reunited with
532:
518:
486:
355:
91:
20:
1231:
8:
1265:
666:
magazine extract from 1960, showing the cast of the show and promoting the show's return.
496:
373:
205:
1201:
674:
and characterised voices to supplement the humour, as well as a good deal of innuendo.
542:
394:
both contemplated an Air Force- and an Army-themed sitcom before going to the BBC with
1168:
802:
750:
The entire crew had been drummed out of the service and hired by Troutbridge TV Ltd.
588:
421:
223:
817:
Henry Pettigrew (Thornton) as they tried to keep smooth relations between Tratvia,
782:
671:
524:
261:
833:). Ronnie Barker, Stephen Murray, Lawrie Wyman and Leslie Phillips reprised their
656:
949:
911:
907:
814:
482:
445:
because the Potanis considered it to be a "free gift scheme". During Series 3 of
406:
366:
233:
149:
915:
862:
787:
755:
717:
632:
570:
556:
341:
253:
1146:
1244:
899:
858:
830:
791:
626:
594:
566:
545:"Fatso" Johnson, Lieutenant Commander (Archibald) Stanton, Lieutenant Queeg (
538:
460:
438:
269:
257:
249:
1191:
1033:
1006:
981:
910:. The setting was changed where "The Island" was named Boonsey, a fictional
347:
932:
895:
713:
709:
603:
584:
504:
472:
391:
279:
245:
140:
704:
Dennis Price returned for a guest appearance in the fourth series episode
455:, appears in several episodes manned by various Potani officers voiced by
751:
686:
677:
The show's theme tune was "Trade Wind Hornpipe" written and performed by
662:
638:
492:
387:
377:
237:
210:
153:
1197:
927:
810:
620:
608:
514:
344:
1007:"An Exercise in Filming, Series 1, The Navy Lark â BBC Radio 4 Extra"
903:
891:
868:
818:
500:
362:
33:
591:, Captain Ignatius Aloysius Atchison, Flag Lieutenant Claude Dingle
451:
809:
and was concerned with the various (mis)adventures of the British
766:, which continued for another six episodes as the fifth series of
577:
Ffont-Bittocks, Ebeneezer Pertwee, Sir Willoughby Toddhunter-Brown
1235:
798:
600:
Laurie Wyman as Able Seaman (later Inspector) Burt Tiddy, various
574:
1207:
1034:"The Smuggling Spy, Series 1, The Navy Lark â BBC Radio 4 Extra"
1167:. London: Doctor Who Books, Virgin Publishing Ltd. p. 20.
337:
168:
1215:
1223:
822:
612:
but was replaced before filming began after Pertwee objected.
826:
442:
693:'Ello, Intelligence 'ere" or "This is intelligence speakin
148:
title card featuring photos of (clockwise from top right)
1147:
Doctor Who: The Lost Sarah-Jane! April Walker interviewed
923:
due to the absence of himself, Price and Stephen Murray.
1023:
e.g. Series 10 episode first broadcast 29 December 1968.
974:
629:
as Sir Jeremy Crichton Buller (Series 8, episode 10)
58:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
1111:
1103:
1077:
1052:
884:In 1959, a film version was released, also called
857:was broadcast as one series in 1969. It starred
1242:
1044:
813:Sir Jeremy Crichton-Buller (Francis) and his
786:were broadcast from 1966 to 1968. It starred
1227:at the Old Time Radio network - 23 episodes
1162:
1050:
641:as Lieutenant Queeg (Series 14, episode 5).
623:as WREN Waters (Series 7, episodes 1 and 2)
1200:
1165:I am the Doctor:Jon Pertwee's Final Memoir
1156:
926:Wyman co-wrote with three other writers a
583:as Able Seaman Ginger, Lieutenant Bates,
573:) "Taffy" Goldstein (starboard lookout),
118:Learn how and when to remove this message
844:
655:
1109:
894:and directed by Gordon Parry, it stars
780:Also written by Wyman, three series of
1243:
879:
754:joined the cast due to the absence of
1163:Pertwee, Jon; Howe, David J. (1996).
738:was intended to be a replacement for
405:For most of its run the show starred
372:The programme was transmitted on the
943:
56:adding citations to reliable sources
27:
1113:"Tenniel Evans: Taffy Goldstein in
1085:"Ronnie Barker: The Times obituary"
982:"The Navy Lark â BBC Radio 4 Extra"
773:
13:
723:
14:
1302:
1185:
1128:from the original on 18 June 2022
1110:Hayward, Anthony (17 June 2009).
1065:from the original on 18 June 2022
1051:Smurthwaite, Nick (21 May 1996).
420:series are regularly replayed on
956:
797:The show was set in the British
597:as WREN Cornwell (Series 4 only)
139:
32:
16:British radio sitcom (1959â1977)
890:. Written by Laurie Wyman and
708:. Other 'guest stars' included
43:needs additional citations for
1281:BBC Light Programme programmes
1140:
1026:
1017:
999:
963:List of The Navy Lark episodes
874:
728:
507:"Burbly" Burwasher, The Master
449:, a Potarneyland frigate, the
313:
1:
967:
651:
1276:BBC Radio 4 Extra programmes
1256:1977 radio programme endings
485:as Sub-Lieutenant Phillips,
7:
1261:BBC Radio comedy programmes
1251:1959 radio programme debuts
549:engineer), Commander Bell (
10:
1307:
960:
18:
821:and the other Embassies (
553:'s captain), Intelligence
319:244 (including specials)
312:
287:
275:
229:
219:
198:
190:
182:
174:
164:
138:
851:Another Wyman creation,
1054:"Obituary: Jon Pertwee"
867:The show is set in the
466:
427:
382:Alastair Scott Johnston
19:For the 1959 film, see
1291:BBC Radio 4 programmes
1286:BBC Radio 2 programmes
938:Associated-Rediffusion
906:, Leslie Phillips and
667:
569:as Able Seaman (later
475:as Lieutenant Price ("
1149:, Fantom Publishing,
961:Further information:
854:The Big Business Lark
846:The Big Business Lark
659:
521:Murray ("Number One")
380:. It was produced by
519:Lieutenant Commander
340:about life aboard a
52:improve this article
21:The Navy Lark (film)
880:Film and television
497:Chief Petty Officer
374:BBC Light Programme
206:BBC Light Programme
135:
668:
409:, Jon Pertwee and
133:
944:Radio adaptations
803:fictional country
706:A Hole Lieutenant
441:, and had joined
422:BBC Radio 4 Extra
376:and subsequently
329:
328:
224:BBC Radio 4 Extra
183:Country of origin
128:
127:
120:
102:
1298:
1204:
1179:
1178:
1160:
1154:
1144:
1138:
1137:
1135:
1133:
1119:
1107:
1101:
1100:
1098:
1096:
1091:. 4 October 2005
1081:
1075:
1074:
1072:
1070:
1056:
1048:
1042:
1041:
1030:
1024:
1021:
1015:
1014:
1003:
997:
996:
994:
992:
978:
783:The Embassy Lark
775:The Embassy Lark
696:
692:
670:The series used
525:Richard Caldicot
323:list of episodes
315:
308:
306:
298:
296:
288:Original release
262:Richard Caldicot
143:
136:
132:
123:
116:
112:
109:
103:
101:
60:
36:
28:
1306:
1305:
1301:
1300:
1299:
1297:
1296:
1295:
1241:
1240:
1234:discography at
1188:
1183:
1182:
1175:
1161:
1157:
1145:
1141:
1131:
1129:
1122:The Independent
1108:
1104:
1094:
1092:
1083:
1082:
1078:
1068:
1066:
1059:The Independent
1049:
1045:
1032:
1031:
1027:
1022:
1018:
1005:
1004:
1000:
990:
988:
980:
979:
975:
970:
965:
959:
950:Springbok Radio
946:
908:Nicholas Phipps
882:
877:
849:
815:First Secretary
778:
733:
726:
724:Radio spin-offs
694:
690:
654:
483:Leslie Phillips
469:
430:
407:Leslie Phillips
367:HMNB Portsmouth
361:, a Royal Navy
320:
304:
302:
300:
294:
292:
282:
268:
264:
260:
256:
252:
248:
244:
240:
236:
234:Leslie Phillips
215:
160:
150:Leslie Phillips
131:
124:
113:
107:
104:
67:"The Navy Lark"
61:
59:
49:
37:
24:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1304:
1294:
1293:
1288:
1283:
1278:
1273:
1271:Military humor
1268:
1263:
1258:
1253:
1239:
1238:
1229:
1221:
1213:
1205:
1187:
1186:External links
1184:
1181:
1180:
1173:
1155:
1139:
1102:
1076:
1043:
1025:
1016:
998:
972:
971:
969:
966:
958:
955:
945:
942:
916:Herbert Wilcox
912:Channel Island
881:
878:
876:
873:
863:Frank Thornton
848:
843:
788:Frank Thornton
777:
772:
756:Heather Chasen
732:
727:
725:
722:
718:June Whitfield
653:
650:
649:
648:
642:
636:
633:Frank Thornton
630:
624:
614:
613:
601:
598:
592:
578:
571:Leading Seaman
564:
557:Heather Chasen
554:
536:
522:
511:Stephen Murray
508:
490:
480:
468:
465:
429:
426:
411:Stephen Murray
327:
326:
317:
310:
309:
289:
285:
284:
277:
273:
272:
254:Heather Chasen
242:Stephen Murray
231:
227:
226:
221:
217:
216:
214:
213:
208:
202:
200:
196:
195:
192:
188:
187:
186:United Kingdom
184:
180:
179:
176:
172:
171:
166:
162:
161:
158:Stephen Murray
144:
129:
126:
125:
40:
38:
31:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1303:
1292:
1289:
1287:
1284:
1282:
1279:
1277:
1274:
1272:
1269:
1267:
1264:
1262:
1259:
1257:
1254:
1252:
1249:
1248:
1246:
1237:
1233:
1232:The Navy Lark
1230:
1228:
1226:
1225:The Navy Lark
1222:
1220:
1218:
1217:The Navy Lark
1214:
1212:
1211:Episode Guide
1210:
1206:
1203:
1199:
1195:
1194:
1193:The Navy Lark
1190:
1189:
1176:
1174:1-85227-621-5
1170:
1166:
1159:
1153:, 18 May 2020
1152:
1148:
1143:
1127:
1123:
1118:
1116:
1115:The Navy Lark
1106:
1090:
1086:
1080:
1064:
1060:
1055:
1047:
1039:
1035:
1029:
1020:
1012:
1008:
1002:
987:
983:
977:
973:
964:
957:Episode guide
954:
951:
941:
939:
935:
934:
929:
924:
922:
921:The Navy Lark
917:
913:
909:
905:
901:
900:Ronald Shiner
897:
893:
889:
888:
887:The Navy Lark
872:
870:
865:
864:
860:
859:Jimmy Edwards
856:
855:
847:
842:
840:
839:The Navy Lark
836:
832:
828:
824:
820:
816:
812:
808:
804:
800:
795:
793:
792:Derek Francis
789:
785:
784:
776:
771:
769:
768:The Navy Lark
765:
761:
757:
753:
748:
746:
741:
740:The Navy Lark
737:
731:
721:
719:
715:
711:
707:
702:
698:
688:
683:
680:
675:
673:
665:
664:
658:
646:
645:Amanda Murray
643:
640:
637:
634:
631:
628:
627:Derek Francis
625:
622:
619:
618:
617:
611:
610:
605:
602:
599:
596:
595:Judy Cornwell
593:
590:
586:
582:
581:Michael Bates
579:
576:
572:
568:
567:Tenniel Evans
565:
562:
558:
555:
552:
548:
547:Troutbridge's
544:
540:
539:Ronnie Barker
537:
534:
530:
526:
523:
520:
516:
512:
509:
506:
502:
498:
494:
491:
488:
484:
481:
479:") (Series 1)
478:
474:
471:
470:
464:
462:
461:Ronnie Barker
458:
457:Michael Bates
454:
453:
448:
447:The Navy Lark
444:
440:
439:Great Britain
434:
425:
423:
419:
418:The Navy Lark
414:
412:
408:
403:
401:
397:
396:The Navy Lark
393:
389:
385:
383:
379:
375:
370:
368:
364:
360:
359:
353:
349:
346:
343:
339:
335:
334:
333:The Navy Lark
324:
318:
311:
291:29 March 1959
290:
286:
281:
278:
274:
271:
270:Tenniel Evans
267:
266:Michael Bates
263:
259:
258:Ronnie Barker
255:
251:
250:Judy Cornwell
247:
243:
239:
235:
232:
228:
225:
222:
218:
212:
209:
207:
204:
203:
201:
197:
193:
189:
185:
181:
177:
173:
170:
167:
163:
159:
155:
151:
147:
146:The Navy Lark
142:
137:
134:The Navy Lark
122:
119:
111:
100:
97:
93:
90:
86:
83:
79:
76:
72:
69: â
68:
64:
63:Find sources:
57:
53:
47:
46:
41:This article
39:
35:
30:
29:
26:
22:
1224:
1216:
1208:
1192:
1164:
1158:
1150:
1142:
1130:. Retrieved
1121:
1114:
1105:
1093:. Retrieved
1088:
1079:
1067:. Retrieved
1058:
1046:
1037:
1028:
1019:
1010:
1001:
989:. Retrieved
985:
976:
947:
933:HMS Paradise
931:
925:
920:
896:Cecil Parker
885:
883:
866:
852:
850:
845:
838:
834:
806:
796:
781:
779:
774:
767:
763:
759:
749:
744:
739:
735:
734:
729:
714:Norma Ronald
710:April Walker
705:
703:
699:
687:catchphrases
684:
679:Tommy Reilly
676:
669:
661:
615:
607:
604:April Walker
587:Ironbridge,
585:Rear Admiral
550:
546:
505:Vice-Admiral
473:Dennis Price
450:
446:
435:
431:
417:
416:Episodes of
415:
404:
399:
395:
392:Lawrie Wyman
386:
371:
357:
351:
332:
331:
330:
301:16 July 1977
283:George Evans
280:Lawrie Wyman
246:Dennis Price
199:Home station
175:Running time
145:
114:
105:
95:
88:
81:
74:
62:
50:Please help
45:verification
42:
25:
1095:1 September
1069:1 September
875:Adaptations
764:Troutbridge
760:The TV Lark
752:Janet Brown
745:The TV Lark
736:The TV Lark
730:The TV Lark
663:Radio Times
639:Chic Murray
551:Troutbridge
543:Able Seaman
503:Weatherby,
493:Jon Pertwee
388:Jon Pertwee
378:BBC Radio 2
365:) based in
354:(a play on
352:Troutbridge
336:is a radio
316:of episodes
238:Jon Pertwee
211:BBC Radio 2
191:Language(s)
154:Jon Pertwee
1266:Royal Navy
1245:Categories
1198:BBC Online
968:References
928:television
811:Ambassador
652:Production
621:Jan Waters
609:Doctor Who
515:Lieutenant
477:Number One
400:Troubridge
358:Troubridge
350:named HMS
345:Royal Navy
305:1977-07-16
295:1959-03-29
276:Written by
220:Syndicates
178:30 minutes
130:Radio show
108:March 2008
78:newspapers
1209:Navy Lark
1089:The Times
904:Elvi Hale
892:Sid Colin
869:boardroom
835:Navy Lark
819:Whitehall
647:â various
529:Commander
501:Commander
499:Pertwee,
363:destroyer
1126:Archived
1063:Archived
829:and the
682:radio.
616:Guests:
452:Poppadom
230:Starring
1236:Discogs
1151:YouTube
991:17 July
930:sitcom
807:Tratvia
801:in the
799:Embassy
672:accents
575:Admiral
533:Captain
487:Captain
348:frigate
342:British
303: (
299: â
293: (
194:English
92:scholar
1171:
1132:30 May
825:, the
489:McDoom
338:sitcom
169:Sitcom
94:
87:
80:
73:
65:
1219:Guide
823:China
589:Padre
535:Povey
165:Genre
99:JSTOR
85:books
1169:ISBN
1134:2019
1097:2019
1071:2019
993:2016
861:and
831:U.S.
827:USSR
790:and
716:and
561:WREN
467:Cast
459:and
443:NATO
428:Plot
356:HMS
156:and
71:news
1196:at
1038:BBC
1011:BBC
986:BBC
805:of
697:".
559:as
541:as
527:as
513:as
495:as
384:.
314:No.
54:by
1247::
1124:.
1120:.
1087:.
1061:.
1057:.
1036:.
1009:.
984:.
902:,
898:,
841:.
794:.
770:.
747:.
720:.
712:,
660:A
463:.
424:.
152:,
1177:.
1136:.
1117:"
1099:.
1073:.
1040:.
1013:.
995:.
936:(
695:'
691:"
531:/
517:/
325:)
321:(
307:)
297:)
121:)
115:(
110:)
106:(
96:¡
89:¡
82:¡
75:¡
48:.
23:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
