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The Army Game
Imagery from the board game
GenreSitcom
Created bySid Colin
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series4
No. of episodes156
Production
Running time30 minutes
Production companyGranada Television
Original release
NetworkITV
Release19 June 1957 (1957-06-19) –
20 June 1961 (1961-06-20)

The Army Game is a British television sitcom that aired on ITV from 19 June 1957 to 20 June 1961. It was the first ITV sitcom and was made by Granada, and created by Sid Colin. It follows the exploits of Hut 29, a dysfunctional group of soldiers and their National Service conscription into the British Army during the post war years.

The original cast consisted of William Hartnell, Michael Medwin, Geoffrey Sumner, Alfie Bass, Charles Hawtrey, Bernard Bresslaw and Norman Rossington. The cast would change over the years with actors such as Bill Fraser, Ted Lune, Frank Williams, Harry Fowler and Dick Emery appearing in subsequent series.

The popularity of the series inspired a film spin-off, I Only Arsked! (1958), and a top ten hit. It also produced the successful sitcom Bootsie and Snudge starring the popular characters played by Bass and Fraser.

Background

[edit]

The creator, Sid Colin, was inspired by a 1956 film, Private's Progress, that starred Ian Carmichael, Richard Attenborough and Terry-Thomas.[1][2] William Hartnell had a supporting role similar to that of Sergeant-Major Bullimore in The Army Game.[3]

Writers included Sid Colin, Larry Stephens, Maurice Wiltshire, Lew Schwarz, John Jowett, John Antrobus, John Foley, Marty Feldman, Barry Took, David Climie, David Cumming, Derek Collyer, Brad Ashton, John Junkin, Talbot Rothwell, Sidney Nelson, Stan Mars, Bob Perkins and Alan MacKinnon. At least three episodes are uncredited.

Cast

[edit]
Character Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4
Maj. Upshot-Bagley Geoffrey Sumner Geoffrey Sumner
Sgt. Maj. Percy Bullimore William Hartnell William Hartnell
Cpl. Springer Michael Medwin
Pte. Montague "Excused Boots" Bisley Alfie Bass
Pte. "Cupcake" Cook Norman Rossington
Keith Banks (some episodes)
Pte. "Professor" Hatchett Charles Hawtrey
Keith Smith (some episodes)
Pte. "Popeye" Popplewell Bernard Bresslaw
Sgt. Maj. Claude Snudge Bill Fraser
Capt. Pilsworthy Bernard Hunter
Maj. "Fishy" Upshot-Bagley Jack Allen
Pte. Leonard Bone Ted Lune
Cpl. "Flogger" Hoskins Harry Fowler
Capt. T. R. Pocket Frank Williams
Maj. Geoffrey Gervais Duckworth C.B. Poultney
L/Cpl. Ernest "Moosh" Merryweather Mario Fabrizi
Pte. Dooley Harry Towb
Pte. Billy "Noddy" Baker Robert Desmond
Pte. "Chubby" Catchpole Dick Emery

Plot and characters

[edit]

The show centres on a group of conscripts assigned to the Surplus Ordnance Department at Nether Hopping, Staffordshire. Billeted in Hut 29, the men are determined to work little and have fun.[4]

Geoffrey Sumner played Major 'Piggy' Upshot-Bagley, the commanding officer, with William Hartnell as Company Sergeant Major (CSM) Percy Bullimore, the bane of Hut 29's army life. Michael Medwin was the spiv-like Corporal Springer in charge of Hut 29, with the original conscripts consisting of Bernard Bresslaw's IQ deficient Private (Pre) Popplewell, Alfie Bass's Pte 'Excused Boots' Bisley, Charles Hawtrey's Pte 'Professor' Hatchett and Norman Rossington's Pte 'Cupcake' Cook.[5]

Later series saw Frank Williams as Captain T. R. Pockett take over the running of the camp, with Bill Fraser's Sgt Claude Snudge replacing Bullimore; although Sumner and Hartnell would return for the final series. Other popular characters included Harry Fowler's Cpl 'Flogger' Hoskins (a replacement for Medwin's Springer) and Ted Lune's Pte Leonard Bone, a sort of northern England variation on Bresslaw's Popplewell.

Arguably the break-out character of the series was Bresslaw's Popplewell who would go on to be the lead of the film version, I Only Arsked! (1958), which used his catch-phrase as its title.[6] On the back of the series Bresslaw became a star of the late fifties and would also use the Popplewell characteristics for other roles of the period, such as the 1959 films Too Many Crooks and The Ugly Duckling. After Bresslaw left, Bass and Fraser's Bootsie and Snudge would become the most popular characters, and would get their own spin-off series, Bootsie and Snudge, which aired in September 1960, whilst the final series of The Army Game started.[7]

Episodes

[edit]

Series One (1957–58)

[edit]
  1. "The Missing Pig" (19 June 1957)
  2. "The Misguided Missiles" (3 July 1957)
  3. "The Convicts Return" (17 July 1957)
  4. "Open Day" (31 July 1957)
  5. Episode 5 (14 August 1957)
  6. "The New Man" (28 August 1957)
  7. "The Mad Bull" (11 September 1957)
  8. "The Still" (25 September 1957)
  9. "The Volunteers" (9 October 1957)
  10. "The Civilian Clerk" (23 October 1957)
  11. "Security" (6 November 1957)
  12. "The Rise And Fall of Private Popplewell" (20 November 1957)
  13. "The Chit" (27 November 1957)
  14. "The New Officer" (4 December 1957)
  15. "The Thing From Outer Space" (20 December 1957)
  16. "W.R.A.A.C.S." (27 December 1957)
  17. "Getting Shot of Upshot-Bagley" (3 January 1958)
  18. "The Quarrel" (10 January 1958)
  19. "Any Complaints" (17 January 1958)
  20. "To A Haggis" (24 January 1958)
  21. "The Marshall's Baton" (31 January 1958)
  22. "Brothers in Law" 8 (7 February 1958)
  23. "That's The Ticket" (14 February 1958)
  24. "The Kindest Man in Britain" (21 February 1958)
  25. "Brother Officers" (28 February 1958)
  26. "The Recruits" (7 March 1958)
  27. Episode 26 (14 March 1958)
  28. Episode 27 (21 March 1958)
  29. "Bring on the Dancing Girls" (28 March 1958)
  30. "The Quiz Kids" (4 April 1958)
  31. "Guinea Pigs" (11 April 1958)
  32. "The Investigator" (18 April 1958)
  33. "The NATO Visitor" (25 April 1958)
  34. "Money To Burn" (2 May 1958)
  35. "The Initiative Test" (9 May 1958)
  36. "A Piece of Cake" (16 May 1958)
  37. "Treasure Trove" (23 May 1958)
  38. "Derby Day" (30 May 1958)
  39. "Poetry Prize" (6 June 1958)
  40. "Insurance" (13 June 1958)

Series Two (1958–59)

[edit]
  1. "The Special Investigator" (19 September 1958)
  2. "A Soldier's Farewell" (26 September 1958)
  3. "The Invisible Soldier" (3 October 1958)
  4. "The Garden Fete" (10 October 1958)
  5. "Fit as a Fiddle" (17 October 1958)
  6. "The Bogus Sergeant Major" (24 October 1958)
  7. "Happy Birthday Major Duckworth" (31 October 1958)
  8. "The Phantom Strikes Again" (7 November 1958)
  9. "The Flying Visitors" (14 November 1958)
  10. "Dodging the Draft" (21 November 1958)
  11. "Amateur Talent" (28 November 1958)
  12. "Dinner is Served" (5 December 1958)
  13. "X Marks the Spot" (12 December 1958)
  14. "The Happy Couple" (19 December 1958)
  15. "Ebeneezer Scrooge" (26 December 1958)
  16. "The Desperate Hours" (2 January 1959)
  17. "Officer Material" (9 January 1959)
  18. "Grand Hotel" (16 January 1959)
  19. "Bootsie's Butler" (23 January 1959)
  20. "The C.O.'s Aunt" (30 January 1959)
  21. Episode 21 (6 February 1959)
  22. "St Valentine's Day" (13 February 1959)
  23. "That's the Ticket" (20 February 1959)
  24. "The Folk Singers" (27 February 1959)
  25. "The Initiative Test" (6 March 1959)
  26. "Friday the Thirteenth" (13 March 1959)
  27. "The Old Car" (20 March 1959)
  28. "The Separation" (27 March 1959)
  29. "I Was Snudge's Double" (3 April 1959)
  30. "The Military Mission" (10 April 1959)
  31. "All Quiet on the Western Front" (17 April 1959)
  32. "The System" (24 April 1959)
  33. "The Eating Contest" (1 May 1959)
  34. "The Siege" (8 May 1959)
  35. "The Soldier's Chorus" (15 May 1959)
  36. "The Fiddler's Return" (22 May 1959)
  37. "Bang You're Dead" (29 May 1959)
  38. "The Trouble with Bootsie" (5 June 1959)
  39. "Strength Through Day" (12 June 1959)

Series Three (1959–60)

[edit]
  1. "Snudge and Jimmy O'Goblin" (9 October 1959)
  2. "The Take-Over Bid" (16 October 1959)
  3. "Enter a Dark Stranger" (23 October 1959)
  4. "Snudge's Budgie" (30 October 1959)
  5. "Where There's Smoke" (30 October 1959)
  6. "The Camera Never Lies" (6 November 1959)
  7. "When the Poppies Bloom Again" (13 November 1959)
  8. "Miracle in Hut 29" (20 November 1959)
  9. "Night Train to Itchwick" (27 November 1959)
  10. "Officers and Gentlemen" (27 November 1959)
  11. "Tiger Bisley" (4 December 1959)
  12. "The Bisley Court Martial" (11 December 1959)
  13. "The Long Walk" (18 December 1959)
  14. "Happy New Year" (1 January 1960)
  15. "The Invisible Man" (8 January 1960)
  16. "The Bowler Hatting of Pocket" (15 January 1960)
  17. "The Soft Life" (22 January 1960)
  18. "Son of Snudge" (29 January 1960)
  19. "A Rocket Called FRED" (5 February 1960)
  20. "Don't Send My Boy to Prison" (12 February 1960)
  21. "A Piece of Cake" (19 February 1960)
  22. "Never Volunteer" (26 February 1960)
  23. "A Marriage has been Arranged" (4 March 1960)
  24. "The Good Old Days" (11 March 1960)
  25. "A Question in the House" (18 March 1960)
  26. "The Claude Snudge Story" (25 March 1960)
  27. "April Fool" (1 April 1960)
  28. "Goodnight Ladies" (8 April 1960)
  29. "One of the Lads" (15 April 1960)
  30. "Holding the Baby" (22 April 1960)
  31. "Pen Pals Anonymous" (29 April 1960)
  32. "Are You Receiving Me" (6 May 1960)
  33. "The Efficiency Expert" (13 May 1960)
  34. "Bull by the Horn" (20 May 1960)
  35. "A Touch of the Other" (27 May 1960)
  36. "The Feud" (3 June 1960)
  37. "Out of this World" (10 June 1960)
  38. "Emergency Hut 29" (17 June 1960)

Series Four (1960–61)

[edit]
  1. "The Return of the Pig" (27 September 1960)
  2. "The Informer" (4 October 1960)
  3. "The Do-Gooders" (11 October 1960)
  4. "The Marshal's Baton" (18 October 1960)
  5. "Insurance" (25 October 1960)
  6. "It's in the Book" (1 November 1960)
  7. "Waltzing Matilda" (8 November 1960)
  8. "The Kindest Man in Britain" (15 November 1960)
  9. "Say It With Flowers" (22 November 1960)
  10. "Music Hath Charms" (29 November 1960)
  11. "Suddenly This Write" (6 December 1960)
  12. "Quiz Kids" (13 December 1960)
  13. "The Artist" (20 December 1960)
  14. "Private Cinders" (27 December 1960)
  15. "Tunes of Glory" (3 January 1961)
  16. "Now It Can Be Told" (10 January 1961)
  17. "Keep It Out of the Draught" (17 January 1961)
  18. "Outward Bound" (24 January 1961)
  19. "All at Sea" (31 January 1961)
  20. "Decline And Fall" (7 February 1961)
  21. "My Funny Valentine" (14 February 1961)
  22. "Any Complaints?" (21 February 1961)
  23. Episode 23 (28 February 1961)
  24. "The Beast of Nether Hopping" (7 March 1961)
  25. "The Green Fingers" (14 March 1961)
  26. "Cold Cure" (21 March 1961)
  27. "The Man Who Never Was" (28 March 1961)
  28. "Poison Pen" (4 April 1961)
  29. "Into The Breach" (11 April 1961)
  30. Episode 30 (18 April 1961)
  31. "Vice Versa" (25 April 1961)
  32. "The Body in the Bath" (2 May 1961)
  33. Episode 33 (9 May 1961)
  34. "Fun And Adventure" (16 May 1961)
  35. "A Certain Thing" (23 May 1961)
  36. "Tea And Sympathy" (30 May 1961)
  37. "The D-Day Dodger" (6 June 1961)
  38. The Importance of Being Eric (13 June 1961)
  39. Episode 39 (20 June 1961)

Other media

[edit]

A film based on the series, I Only Arsked!, appeared in 1958, made by Hammer Film Productions.[8] The plot concentrated on Bernard Bresslaw's character and included Michael Medwin, Alfie Bass, Geoffrey Sumner, Charles Hawtrey and Norman Rossington playing their characters.[9] "I Only Arsked" became Bresslaw's catchphrase.[10]

A record was released sung by Michael Medwin, Bernard Bresslaw, Alfie Bass and Leslie Fyson.[11] In June 1958, it reached number five in the UK Singles Chart.[12] Bresslaw's song "Mad Passionate Love", sung in the style of Private Popplewell, also did well in the charts.[13]

A paperback was produced, and Granada brought out a board game in 1959.[14]

Alfie Bass and Bill Fraser's characters turned up in a spin-off, Bootsie and Snudge, between 1960 and 1963 and in 1974.[7] Bootsie and Snudge also appeared in the 1964 sitcom Foreign Affairs.[15]

A year after the series debuted saw the first Carry On film, the very similar Carry On Sergeant (1958), which also featured Hartnell, Hawtrey and Rossington.[16]

Royal Variety Performance

[edit]

In June 1959, Michael Medwin, Alfie Bass, Norman Rossington, Bill Fraser and Ted Lune performed a short The Army Game scene at the Royal Variety Performance in front of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.[17] This was the last Royal Variety Performance not to be televised, although highlights were broadcast on BBC radio on 29 June 1959.

DVD releases

[edit]

Of the 156 episodes made, 50 are thought to survive. On 6 June 2005, Network released the first 26 episodes from series 3 on DVD under the title The Army Game – Volume 1. On 14 August 2006, the remaining twenty-four episodes (including three surviving episodes from the first series) were released under the title The Army Game – Volume 2. An episode of Bootsie and Snudge was included. The Army Game Collection, containing every surviving episode, was released on 13 August 2008.

References

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

The Army Game

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Army Game is a British television that aired on ITV from 19 June 1957 to 20 June 1961, following the misadventures of a group of conscripts stationed at Hut 29 of the Surplus Ordnance Depot in the fictional Nether Hopping, , as they attempt to avoid work and find amusement in military life while clashing with their strict superiors. Produced by Granada Television, the series was created by Sid Colin and initially broadcast live on a fortnightly basis before shifting to a weekly Friday evening slot due to its rapid popularity, eventually running for 155 episodes across four series plus a short special. The show's ensemble cast featured prominent comedic actors of the era, including as the scheming Private 'Bootsie' Bisley, as the dim-witted Private 'Popeye' Popplewell (famous for his catchphrase "I only arsked"), Charles Hawtrey as the effeminate Private Hatchett, as Private Cook, and as the disciplinarian Sergeant-Major Bullimore; later seasons introduced as Sergeant Snudge. Writers such as Maurice Wiltshire, Larry Stephens, and later and contributed to the scripts, which satirized post-war life and the end of compulsory . As ITV's first sitcom, The Army Game became a massive hit, often topping the ratings charts and launching or boosting the careers of several performers, including and in guest roles. Its success led to a 1958 spin-off, I Only Arsked!, directed by Montgomery Tully and starring much of the television cast, as well as the popular sequel Bootsie and Snudge (1960–1963, 1974), which followed the characters into civilian life. The series' humorous take on military authority was so influential that it was reportedly banned from viewing by some commanding officers for allegedly undermining discipline.

Development and production

Origins and concept

The Army Game drew its primary inspiration from the 1956 Boulting Brothers film Private's Progress, a satirical comedy depicting the absurdities of British military life, as well as the widespread post-war experiences of National Service conscripts in the British Army during the 1950s. The series was created by writer Sid Colin, who had served in the RAF during World War II and channeled these influences into a format that captured the reluctance and humor of mandatory military service. Commissioned by Granada Television, it premiered in 1957 as ITV's inaugural sitcom, filling a gap in commercial television's comedy output by focusing on everyday conscript antics rather than radio-style sketches. At its core, the series revolved around a ragtag group of reluctant conscripts billeted in Hut 29 at the fictional Surplus Ordnance Depot in Nether Hopping, , where they devised elaborate schemes to shirk duties, profit from army resources, and navigate the rigid hierarchy of military life. This premise highlighted the conscripts' ingenuity and disdain for authority, set against the backdrop of a decaying, understaffed depot handling obsolete equipment, reflecting the inefficiencies of . The reluctant soldiers' exploits emphasized camaraderie and mischief, with the depot serving as a microcosm of broader societal shifts away from wartime discipline. Originally formatted as a fortnightly live broadcast to alternate with other programming, the series debuted on 19 June at 8:30pm on ITV, but its immediate popularity prompted a switch to a weekly schedule by late , allowing for expanded production and audience engagement. This early success underscored the show's resonance with viewers familiar with , though the program's tone evolved in later series as compulsory service wound down, with the final intake occurring in 1960 and official abolition on 31 December of that year, gradually shifting focus from conscript woes to more generalized military satire.

Production team and filming

The Army Game was produced by Granada Television, with interiors filmed at their Quay Street studios in , where sets replicating army barracks were constructed by in-house carpenters based on designs inspired by real locations such as Ladysmith Barracks. Some early episodes were also recorded at Granada's temporary facility, Chelsea Palace on , to accommodate performers unable to travel north. The series utilized a multi-camera setup typical of production, initially broadcast live in its first series before transitioning to pre-recorded format in subsequent seasons to improve technical quality and allow for editing. Key creative personnel included creator and lead writer Sid Colin, alongside contributors such as Larry Stephens, Maurice Wiltshire, and Lew Schwarz, who handled scripting across the run. Directors comprised Milo Lewis, Max Morgan-Witts, , Eric Fawcett, and Graeme MacDonald, with producers like Peter Eton and Eric Fawcett overseeing operations. Production faced logistical hurdles as conscription ended on 31 December 1960, diminishing the pool of authentic experiences for writers and impacting the series' premise in its final season. A total of 155 half-hour episodes were produced between 19 June 1957 and 20 June 1961, making it one of Granada's earliest and longest-running sitcoms. Due to common wiping practices of the , only approximately 50 episodes survive today, primarily from later series, with the full run otherwise lost.

Cast and characters

Principal cast members

The principal cast of The Army Game featured a rotating ensemble of British character actors, many of whom were established in film and theatre prior to the series, with significant changes occurring between seasons to refresh the dynamics of the hut-bound soldiers. In the first series (1957), the core group included Geoffrey Sumner as the pompous Major Upshot-Bagley, William Hartnell as the disciplinarian Sergeant Major Percy Bullimore, Michael Medwin as the scheming Corporal Springer, Alfie Bass as the malingering Private Montague "Excused Boots" Bisley, Charles Hawtrey as the bookish Private "Professor" Hatchett, Bernard Bresslaw as the towering Private "Popeye" Popplewell, and Norman Rossington as the naive Private "Cupcake" Cook; Bill Fraser appeared as the irascible Sergeant Major Claude Snudge. Hartnell, known for dramatic wartime roles in films like The Way Ahead (1944), brought a stern authority to his comedic turn, marking an early foray into sitcom for the actor who would later gain fame as the First Doctor in Doctor Who. Hawtrey, meanwhile, leveraged his eccentric persona from stage revues into this role, paving the way for his iconic appearances in the Carry On series starting with Carry On Sergeant (1958). Following the debut season, the cast saw major departures, including Hartnell, Medwin, Sumner, Hawtrey, Bresslaw, and Rossington, as the production sought to evolve the format amid rising popularity. Alfie Bass remained as the central figure of Bisley, providing continuity, while Bill Fraser's Snudge became a fixture; this lineup, with some temporary replacements, anchored series two (1957–58). Bass, a veteran of post-war variety shows and films like The Lavender Hill Mob (1951), anchored the ensemble's chaotic energy across multiple seasons. Series three (1958–59) introduced new regulars Ted Lune as the dim-witted Private Leonard Bone, Harry Fowler as the opportunistic Corporal "Flogger" Hoskins, and Frank Williams as the hapless Captain T.R. Pocket, alongside supporting principals like Mario Fabrizi as Ernest "Moosh" Merryweather and as Private "Cass" Dooley, expanding the barrack-room antics while retaining Bass and Fraser. Robert Desmond appeared recurrently as Private Billy Baker toward the end of the season. The fourth series (1959–60) maintained much of this structure, with recurring roles for as Mrs. Snudge. In a notable return for the fifth and final series (1960–61), Hartnell reprised Bullimore and Sumner resumed as Upshot-Bagley, joined by as the bumbling Private "Chubby" Catchpole, who took over some of the ensemble's duties, with Bass and Fraser continuing; Emery, fresh from radio and variety work, added versatile impersonations to the mix. These shifts reflected the show's adaptation to viewer feedback and actors' commitments, with Bass and Fraser's longevity leading directly to the spin-off Bootsie and Snudge.

Character descriptions

The central antagonist among the non-commissioned officers is Percy Bullimore, a pompous and rule-obsessed disciplinarian who enforces strict protocol at the Surplus Ordnance Depot, often bellowing orders and attempting to maintain order amid the conscripts' antics, though he is repeatedly outwitted by their schemes. Major Cadwallader 'Jock' Upshot-Bagley serves as the bumbling , a scatterbrained figure more interested in personal leisure—such as tending to his pet pigs—than active leadership, making him easily manipulated by subordinates and contributing to the camp's chaotic atmosphere. Among the conscripts, Corporal Springer is the street-smart leader of the group, a scheming who quickly assesses the rigors of army life and organizes his fellow soldiers into syndicates for mutual benefit, directing their efforts to minimize work and maximize leisure. Private Montague "Excused Bootsie" Bisley is the lazy and conniving hypochondriac of the , perpetually feigning illness or excuses—earning his from being "excused boots" due to supposed medical issues—to dodge duties, while serving as the group's pessimist who anticipates misfortune but often profits from their escapades. Private "Professor" Hatchett embodies the effeminate, scheming intellectual, providing through his witty yet incompetent schemes and highbrow pretensions that clash with the rough army environment, often allying with the other privates in their plots against authority. Private "Popeye" Popplewell is the dim-witted strongman with childlike innocence, relying on his physical size for muscle in the group's endeavors while delivering naive commentary and his signature "I only arsked," highlighting his simple-minded charm. The ensemble's humor arises from the ongoing conflicts between the pompous officers and the irreverent conscripts, satirizing class differences, military authority, and the absurdities of through their clashing personalities and failed attempts at discipline versus evasion.

Episodes

Series One (1957–58)

Series One established the foundational dynamics of conscript life at the Surplus Ordnance Depot in the fictional Nether Hopping, focusing on the scheming privates in Hut 29 as they navigated daily routines, dodged work, and clashed with authority figures like Sergeant-Major Bullimore and Major Upshot-Bagley. The episodes highlighted initial rivalries between the enlisted men and officers, often revolving around get-rich-quick schemes, inspections, and absurd military protocols, while introducing the cast's interplay without . Broadcast live in black-and-white from the Chelsea Palace Theatre, the 26 half-hour episodes aired fortnightly from June to December 1957 before shifting to a weekly schedule in early 1958, capturing the era's humor through improvised antics and recurring motifs of laziness versus discipline. Viewers were quickly familiarized with iconic catchphrases like Sergeant-Major Bullimore's exasperated "Oh dear, oh dear, oh lor'," which underscored the futility of military life and became a hallmark of the show's comedic timing. The live format added to the raw energy, with occasional flubs enhancing the authentic feel of conscript chaos, though it contributed to the loss of most episodes—no complete recordings survive from this series except for two installments, limiting detailed plot reconstructions. Themes of rebellion against authority and camaraderie among the privates set the tone for the franchise, emphasizing conceptual humor over polished production. The following table lists the 26 episodes, with titles and air dates drawn from archival records; plot details are scarce due to the episodes' lost status, except for the two surviving installments.
EpisodeTitleAir Date
1The Missing Pig19 Jun 1957
2The Misguided Missiles3 Jul 1957
3The Convict's Return17 Jul 1957
4Open Day31 Jul 1957
5Episode Five14 Aug 1957
6The Mad Bull28 Aug 1957
7The Still11 Sep 1957
8The Volunteers25 Sep 1957
9The Civilian Clerk9 Oct 1957
10Security23 Oct 1957
11The Rise and Fall of Private Popplewell6 Nov 1957
12The Chit20 Nov 1957
13The New Officer4 Dec 1957
14The Thing from Outer Space20 Dec 1957
15W.R.A.A.C.S.3 Jan 1958
16Getting Shot of Upshot-Bagley10 Jan 1958
17The Quarrel17 Jan 1958
18Any Complaints24 Jan 1958
1931 Jan 1958
20The Marshall's Baton7 Feb 1958
21Brothers in Law14 Feb 1958
22That's the Ticket21 Feb 1958
23The Kindest Man in Britain28 Feb 1958
24Brother s7 Mar 1958
25The Recruits14 Mar 1958
26The Orderly Room Clerk21 Mar 1958
In "The Mad Bull" (episode 6), the privates discover a letter suggesting a posting to France and attempt to impress a visiting , while Popplewell comically prepares by learning French in hopes of encountering ; Bullimore grows suspicious of their sudden enthusiasm. In "The New Officer" (episode 13), a temporary replaces Upshot-Bagley and insists on a rigorous , prompting the conscripts to use smoke canisters in a bid to expose his overzealousness. These surviving episodes exemplify the series' blend of farcical schemes and officer-private tensions.

Series Two (1958–59)

The second series of The Army Game represented a pivotal in the show's format and personnel, airing 39 episodes from 19 September 1958 to 12 June 1959 on ITV, typically on Friday evenings at 8:30 pm. Following the departures of key original cast members including (as Corporal "Bogey" Springer) and Charles Hawtrey (as Private Hatchett) after the first series, the ensemble was refreshed with returning actors reprising his role as Sergeant-Major Bullimore and Geoffrey Sumner as Major Upshot-Bagley, joined by newcomers as Sergeant Major Claude Snudge, Frank Williams as the hapless Captain T.R. "Tiger" Pocket, and as the scheming Corporal "Flogger" Hoskins. The conscript characters at the core of the hut-based antics now featured as the naive Private "Popeye" Popplewell, as the malingering Private "Excused Boots" Bisley, and as the level-headed Private "Cupcake" Cooke. This series shifted to a pre-recorded format using film, moving away from the live broadcasts of the first series, which improved production values through edited scenes, outdoor location shots, and the integration of guest stars, allowing for more polished comedic timing and visual gags. No episodes from this series are known to survive. Thematically, the episodes deepened the portrayal of conscript cynicism, with the soldiers' schemes growing more audacious in their attempts to evade military drudgery—often revolving around fabricated ailments, ventures, impersonations of superiors, and opportunistic ruses to secure leave or perks—while highlighting the absurdities of life and the clash between lazy privates and pompous officers. Representative plots included efforts to outwit inspections, stage fake emergencies, or exploit camp events for personal gain, frequently culminating in farcical mishaps that underscored the futility of their obligations. The full episode list for the series is as follows:
EpisodeTitleAir Date
1The Special Investigator19 Sep 1958
2A Soldier's Farewell26 Sep 1958
3The Invisible Soldier3 Oct 1958
4The Garden Fete10 Oct 1958
517 Oct 1958
6The Bogus 24 Oct 1958
7Happy Birthday Major Duckworth31 Oct 1958
8The Phantom Strikes Again7 Nov 1958
9The Flying Visitors14 Nov 1958
10Dodging the Draft21 Nov 1958
1128 Nov 1958
125 Dec 1958
13X Marks the Spot12 Dec 1958
14The Happy Couple19 Dec 1958
15Ebeneezer Scrooge26 Dec 1958
16The 2 Jan 1959
17Officer Material9 Jan 1959
18Grand Hotel16 Jan 1959
19Bootsie's Butler23 Jan 1959
20The C.O.'s Aunt30 Jan 1959
21Episode 216 Feb 1959
22St Valentine's Day13 Feb 1959
23That's the Ticket20 Feb 1959
24The Folk Singers27 Feb 1959
25The Initiative Test6 Mar 1959
26Friday the Thirteenth13 Mar 1959
27The Old Car20 Mar 1959
28The Separation27 Mar 1959
29I Was Snudge's Double3 Apr 1959
30The Military Mission10 Apr 1959
31All Quiet on the Western Front17 Apr 1959
32The System24 Apr 1959
33The Eating Contest1 May 1959
34The 8 May 1959
35The Soldier's Chorus15 May 1959
36The 22 May 1959
37Bang You're Dead29 May 1959
38The Trouble with Bootsie5 Jun 1959
39Strength Through Day12 Jun 1959

Series Three (1959–60)

The third series of The Army Game aired from 9 October 1959 to 17 June 1960 and featured 39 episodes, reflecting the show's surging popularity and allowing for an expanded exploration of the conscripts' antics at the Surplus Ordnance Depot. This format enabled more diverse storylines, including frequent interactions with members of the (WRAC) and rigorous camp inspections that tested the group's schemes to avoid work. The series introduced recurring WRAC characters, injecting themes of romance, jealousy, and absurd misunderstandings into the narrative, all set against the backdrop of the gradual wind-down of in post-war Britain. specials were incorporated, amplifying the holiday mayhem with festive barrack pranks and misplaced goodwill among the soldiers. Approximately 26 episodes from this series survive. Episodes in this series often blended with , focusing on the ensemble's efforts to outwit authority figures like Sergeant Major Snudge while navigating personal entanglements. For instance, themes of romance emerged prominently through WRAC visits to the camp, leading to chaotic rivalries and disciplinary threats. Camp inspections provided another staple, with storylines revolving around frantic cover-ups of the depot's disarray, such as hiding or staging mock efficiency to impress superiors. The absurd humor peaked in episodes involving elaborate deceptions, underscoring the conscripts' ingenuity amid the era's . The following table lists all 39 episodes with titles and air dates, drawn from production records; plot synopses are provided for representative examples to illustrate the series' varied dynamics, with others following similar patterns of duty-dodging and interpersonal farce.
Episode No.TitleAir Date
1Snudge and Jimmy O'Goblin9 Oct 1959
2The Take-Over Bid16 Oct 1959
3Enter a Dark Stranger23 Oct 1959
4Snudge's Budgie30 Oct 1959
5Where There's Smoke6 Nov 1959
6The Camera Never Lies13 Nov 1959
7When the Poppies Bloom Again20 Nov 1959
8Miracle in Hut 2927 Nov 1959
9Night Train to Itchwick4 Dec 1959
10Officers and Gentlemen11 Dec 1959
11Tiger Bisley18 Dec 1959
12The Bisley Court Martial1 Jan 1960
13The Long Walk8 Jan 1960
14Happy New Year15 Jan 1960
15The Invisible Man22 Jan 1960
16The Bowler Hatting of Pocket29 Jan 1960
17The Soft Life5 Feb 1960
18Son of Snudge12 Feb 1960
19A Rocket Called FRED19 Feb 1960
20Don't Send My Boy to Prison26 Feb 1960
21A Piece of Cake4 Mar 1960
22Never Volunteer11 Mar 1960
23A Marriage has been Arranged18 Mar 1960
24The Good Old Days25 Mar 1960
25A Question in the House1 Apr 1960
26The Claude Snudge Story8 Apr 1960
27April Fool15 Apr 1960
28Goodnight Ladies22 Apr 1960
29One of the Lads29 Apr 1960
30Holding the Baby6 May 1960
31Pen Pals Anonymous13 May 1960
32Are You Receiving Me20 May 1960
33The Efficiency Expert27 May 1960
34Bull by the Horn3 Jun 1960
35A Touch of the Other10 Jun 1960
36The Feud17 Jun 1960
37-39Additional episodes (titles and specific dates from production records; plots follow patterns of inspection pranks, WRAC romances, and holiday specials)Various (weekly Fridays)
Representative Synopses:
  • Snudge and Jimmy O'Goblin (9 Oct 1959): Sergeant Major Snudge encounters a mischievous Irish private named Jimmy O'Goblin who disrupts camp routines with his pranks, forcing the Hut 29 crew to cover for him during an unexpected inspection. The episode highlights the absurdity of military hierarchy through escalating deceptions.
  • The (16 Oct 1959): The conscripts learn of a potential of the depot by a private firm, prompting them to the process in hopes of being demobilized early; romance ensues when a WRAC arrives to assist with the evaluation. This storyline satirizes economic shifts.
  • Enter a Dark Stranger (23 Oct 1959): A mysterious visitor arrives at the camp, mistaken for a spy by the overzealous Snudge, leading to a series of bungled interrogations by the soldiers; the plot resolves in comedic revelation involving a lost WRAC officer. It exemplifies the series' paranoia-themed humor.
  • The Soft Life (5 Feb ): Private Whitty tempts the group with a scheme to live luxuriously off-base, but it backfires during a surprise WRAC social event, resulting in a mad dash to return before lights out. The episode explores temptations amid service drudgery.
  • Don't Send My Boy to Prison (12 Feb ): Flogger Hoskins faces court-martial after a botched prank during a camp inspection goes awry, with the lads rallying to fabricate an alibi; themes of loyalty and absurdity dominate.
  • Happy (1 Jan 1960, Christmas special): The soldiers plan a rowdy New Year's celebration in Hut 29, but Snudge's strict curfew and an unexpected WRAC delegation turn the event into a of hidden booze and mistaken identities. This festive episode captures the blend of joy and constraint.
Cultural catchphrases like "!" from Snudge began gaining traction in this series, contributing to the show's broader influence.

Series Four (1960–61)

Series Four (1960–61) marked the conclusion of The Army Game, comprising 39 episodes broadcast on ITV from 27 September 1960 to 20 June 1961, shifting to a Tuesday/Wednesday schedule. This final series featured the return of as the irascible Sergeant-Major Percy Bullimore, adding a layer of continuity and to the proceedings as the conscripts navigated their last days under , which officially ended in May 1960. Themes of closure permeated the episodes, with the Hut 29 regulars engaging in increasingly reflective schemes, farewells, and antics that underscored the impending end of their military obligations, culminating in a sense of bittersweet resolution for the ensemble. Detailed plot synopses for individual episodes remain scarce, as only nine are known to survive, largely due to the era's limited archiving practices; the stories typically revolved around the soldiers' dodges to evade work, romantic entanglements, and clashes with authority figures like Snudge and Bullimore. Overall, approximately 50 episodes survive from the entire series run. The episodes are listed below, with known titles and original air dates:
EpisodeTitleAir Date
1The Return of the Pig27 Sep 1960
2The Informer4 Oct 1960
3The Do-Gooders11 Oct 1960
4The Marshal's Baton18 Oct 1960
5Insurance25 Oct 1960
6It's in the Book1 Nov 1960
78 Nov 1960
8The Kindest Man in Britain15 Nov 1960
9Say It With Flowers22 Nov 1960
10 Hath Charms29 Nov 1960
11Suddenly This Write6 Dec 1960
12 Kids13 Dec 1960
13The Artist20 Dec 1960
14Private Cinders29 Dec 1960
153 Jan 1961
16Now It Can Be Told10 Jan 1961
17Keep It Out of the Draught17 Jan 1961
1824 Jan 1961
19All at Sea31 Jan 1961
20Decline And Fall7 Feb 1961
2114 Feb 1961
22Any Complaints?21 Feb 1961
23(Untitled)28 Feb 1961
24The Beast of Nether Hopping7 Mar 1961
25The Green Fingers14 Mar 1961
26Cold Cure21 Mar 1961
2728 Mar 1961
28Poison Pen4 Apr 1961
29Into The Breach11 Apr 1961
30(Untitled)18 Apr 1961
31Vice Versa25 Apr 1961
32The Body in the Bath2 May 1961
33(Untitled)9 May 1961
34Fun And Adventure16 May 1961
35A Certain Thing23 May 1961
36Tea And Sympathy30 May 1961
37The D-Day Dodger6 Jun 1961
38The Importance of Being Eric13 Jun 1961
39(Untitled)20 Jun 1961
The , broadcast on 20 June 1961, implied the of the main characters, wrapping up their misadventures in Hut 29 with a nod to civilian life ahead, though specific details of the concluding are lost.

Reception

Viewership and popularity

The Army Game premiered on ITV on 19 June 1957 as a fortnightly live produced by Granada Television, initially scheduled for an alternating Wednesday slot with just thirteen episodes planned. However, its immediate success in the ratings prompted a swift change to a weekly broadcast format to capitalize on the growing audience interest. The series quickly became one of ITV's top-rated programmes in the late 1950s, frequently ranking in the top ten weekly charts and achieving a peak audience of 12.6 million viewers for an episode aired on 11 December 1959. By 1960 and 1961, it maintained strong performance with audience shares reaching up to 6.5% of television households, drawing millions weekly during its run across the ITV network. Its popularity stemmed from a relatable satire of National Service, the mandatory military conscription that affected many young British men until 1960, allowing viewers to laugh at the absurdities of army life through the antics of conscripts in Hut 29. Catchphrases like Private Popplewell's "I only arsked," delivered by , entered everyday language, enhancing the show's cultural permeation. The series also propelled actors such as Charles Hawtrey into stardom, with his portrayal of the bumbling Private 'Professor' Hatchett boosting his profile ahead of his film roles. Further amplifying its fame, the cast's 1958 single "The Signature Tune of 'The Army Game'," performed by , , , and Leslie Fyson, peaked at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart and spent 9 weeks in the top 40. As a production, The Army Game aired across the ITV network but experienced regional scheduling variations typical of the franchise's decentralized structure, with 's northwest audience showing particularly high engagement—such as 58% share ratings in April 1961. This success solidified 's reputation as a leading ITV contractor for innovative comedy, marking the network's first major hit.

Critical reception

Upon its debut in 1957, The Army Game received positive reviews for its ensemble comedy and sharp social commentary on conscription, which resonated with audiences still subject to the 1948 Act. Critics praised the show's depiction of reluctant recruits and misfit characters in Hut 29, highlighting the humorous dynamics among the cast, including as the scheming Private 'Excused Boots' Bisley and Bernard Bresslaw's catchphrase-driven Private 'Popeye' Popplewell. The series was frequently compared to the 1956 film for its similar satirical take on military incompetence and conscript life, with reprising a gruff from the movie. However, the show's irreverent portrayal of hierarchies drew criticism from authorities in the , who viewed it as undermining discipline and banned personnel from watching episodes, arguing it corrupted perceptions of s as incompetent buffoons. In 1960, viewing was banned by the of The at Pontefract Barracks in . In later analyses, the series has been critiqued for repetitive plot structures, particularly after cast changes in later seasons that introduced new characters echoing the originals, leading to formulaic schemes to avoid duty. Modern retrospectives also note dated in its humor, such as exaggerated class and regional caricatures, which reflect British attitudes but can feel outdated today. Contemporary reviews in the 2020s, including articles revisiting its cultural snapshot, laud The Army Game as a pioneering ITV that paved the way for later service , though the loss of over 100 episodes—only survive—limits full appreciation of its scope and evolution. The series received no major awards or nominations during its run, but it is recognized in history as ITV's first successful , influencing spin-offs like and establishing the conscript template.

Legacy

Cultural impact

The Army Game significantly influenced by establishing the military genre, parodying the absurdities of and inspiring subsequent series such as . As ITV's first , it captured the irreverent humor of conscript life in a post-war era, paving the way for later shows that explored similar themes of reluctant soldiers and bureaucratic incompetence. The series reflected and British attitudes toward class hierarchies, authority figures, and the waning practice of , which ended in 1963, through its depiction of working-class recruits outwitting pompous officers. This satirical lens highlighted social tensions and the tedium of , resonating with audiences experiencing the transition from post-war austerity to modern civilian life. In , cast members including , , , Ted Lune, and performed sketches from the show at the Royal Variety Performance in , presenting its humor to royalty and a national audience, which broadened its cultural reach. The popularity of characters like Private "Bootsie" Bisley and Sergeant-Major Claude Snudge led to their names becoming enduring catchphrases in British lexicon, symbolizing cheeky underdogs and their exasperated superior. Additionally, actors Charles Hawtrey and from The Army Game transitioned to the film series, while the sitcom directly inspired the inaugural film (1958), helping launch the long-running franchise's lowbrow, service-based comedy style. In modern times, The Army Game evokes as a of British humor, with references in contemporary media underscoring its role in shaping comedic tropes. Preservation efforts have focused on the surviving episodes—many were lost due to era-specific archiving practices—allowing later generations to appreciate its historical significance through restored broadcasts and discussions.

Adaptations and media

The series inspired a 1958 cinematic spin-off titled I Only Arsked!, directed by Montgomery Tully and produced by , featuring key members of the original cast including as the hapless Private "Popeye" Popplewell, as Corporal "Cupcake" Springer, as Private "Bootsie" Dixon, and as Major Lazwell. The film's revolves around the conscripts, reassigned to a sleepy in the called Darawa during a routine exercise, who scheme to extend their leave but inadvertently uncover a secret tunnel to the king's and foil an assassination against the monarch. A prominent extension came in the form of the spin-off sitcom , which debuted on ITV in 1960 and ran intermittently until 1974, including revivals on in 1970–1971 and a final series in 1974. Written by and , with some early episodes co-written by Alan Simpson and , the series shifted focus to the civilian lives of Bootsie (), the naive ex-squaddie, and his opportunistic former sergeant Snudge (, replacing William Hartnell's original Sgt. Bullimore), as they navigate jobs as butlers in aristocratic households and encounter comedic mishaps amid class tensions and get-rich-quick schemes. The show's popularity extended to music with the release of its theme song, "The Signature Tune of 'The Army Game'", recorded by cast members , , , and Leslie Fyson on Records in 1958; the novelty track, capturing the series' cheeky army banter, climbed to number 5 on the UK Singles Chart and stayed in the top 40 for several weeks. Merchandise tied to the series included a 1959 board game published by Bell Toys, in which up to four players assume the identities of Hut 29's conscripts, rolling dice and drawing cards to simulate dodging parades, completing absurd tasks, and outmaneuvering superiors in a race to "demob" first while accumulating penalty points for infractions. Additional tie-ins encompassed comic strips in publications like TV Times and Radio Times, as well as annuals featuring illustrated stories of the characters' antics, capitalizing on the show's family-friendly humor. The cast performed a live sketch from the series at the 1959 held at the Palace Theatre in , entertaining the audience and with excerpts highlighting their signature malapropisms and barrack-room routines.

Home media releases

The home media releases of The Army Game are limited to DVD formats due to the significant number of from the original 155 produced between 1957 and 1961, with only 50 surviving in full. Network Distributing began issuing DVDs in 2005, focusing on the extant material held in the ITV archives. In June 2005, Network released The Army Game: Volume 1, a three-disc set containing 26 episodes from Series 4 (1960), restored from 16mm film prints and including original opening titles where available. The following year, in August 2006, Volume 2 followed as another three-disc set with 24 episodes: two survivors from Series 1 (1957), one from Series 2 (1958), 12 additional from Series 4, and nine from Series 5 (1961), plus bonus content such as an excerpt from the 1960 Granada pantomime Bootserella and a pilot episode of the spin-off Bootsie and Snudge. In August 2008, Network released a six-disc box set titled The Army Game: Series 1-5 (All Remaining Episodes), consolidating all 50 episodes and running approximately 20 hours and 50 minutes, with the aforementioned bonuses but no additional special features like cast interviews. As of November 2025, no Blu-ray editions, digital streaming options, or full-series restorations exist, owing to the wiped and missing episodes; preservation efforts remain centered on the surviving prints in ITV's collection, with no reported fan-led video reconstructions or audio-only recoveries. International availability is restricted, with UK DVDs distributed via retailers like Amazon in Europe and the US, but no localized editions or subtitles in other languages have been produced.

References

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  33. https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/94690/the-army-game
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  39. https://missingepisodes.proboards.com/thread/843/army-game
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