It Sticks Out Half a Mile
GenreSitcom
Running time30 minutes
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Language(s)English
Home stationBBC Radio 2
SyndicatesBBC Radio 4 Extra
Starring
Written by
Produced byMartin Fisher
Original release13 November 1983 (1983-11-13) –
2 October 1984 (1984-10-02)
No. of series1
No. of episodes13

It Sticks Out Half a Mile is a British radio sitcom that was broadcast on BBC Radio 2 from 1983 to 1984. The series starred John Le Mesurier, Ian Lavender, Bill Pertwee and Vivienne Martin, and was written by Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles, and produced by Martin Fisher. The series served as a sequel to the television wartime sitcom Dad's Army, for which Snoad and Knowles had written radio adaptations.

Plot

The year is 1948, and former ARP Warden Bert Hodges (Bill Pertwee) arrives in the fictional seaside town of Frambourne-on-Sea (located not far up the coast from Dad's Army's Walmington-on-Sea,[1] on the South Coast of England) with a plan to restore the town's near-decrepit pier back to its former glory. To achieve this goal, Hodges meets former Home Guard Private Frank Pike, now twenty-two and working at Woolworths, to convince him to enter a partnership to raise the needed funds. Pike's "uncle" (actually Pike's father[2]), the former Home Guard Sergeant Arthur Wilson, is now the bank manager of the Frambourne branch of Swallow's Bank, so Hodges convinces Pike to ask Wilson for the £5,000 loan needed to purchase the pier. When Wilson refuses to invest such a sum of money in a such a venture, Pike blackmails Wilson over an affair that occurred when Wilson first moved to Frambourne. Wilson reluctantly agrees to give Hodges and Pike the loan, and the pier's renovation begins, but not without its challenges. The trio are met with opposition from Fred Guthrie (Glynn Edwards), the lone chief attendant in charge of supervising the pier, while Wilson must ward off the advances of Miss Perkins (Vivienne Martin), the chief cashier at Swallow's Bank, who is in love with him.

Cast

The original pilot

The original pilot episode, set in 1948, involved former bank manager and Home Guard Captain Mainwaring (Arthur Lowe) deciding to renovate a decrepit seaside pier, built by Eugenius Birch, in the fictional town of Frambourne-on-Sea, only to find when applying for a bank loan that the manager of the local branch is his former chief cashier and Home Guard Sergeant Arthur Wilson (John Le Mesurier).

The pilot, recorded in July 1981, was not used and Lowe died in April 1982, ending production; however, Lowe's widow had enjoyed the show and persuaded the writers to start again with a new cast. The original pilot was eventually broadcast on BBC 7, and later BBC 7's successor, BBC Radio 4 Extra.[3]

The series would never have been made had Arthur Lowe lived. The BBC rejected the 1981 pilot, on the grounds that his illness had affected his voice. Although the slur in his speech was actually due to illness, the BBC worried that it made him sound as if he was drunk, and ruled his performance as unacceptable for transmission.

Due to the death of Arthur Lowe, the original pilot was not broadcast and the tape wiped, but co-writer Snoad retained a copy which he later returned to the BBC. A short excerpt was played on a documentary entitled The Archive Hour: Radio's Lost Property on 1 November 2003, with the complete programme heard on a BBC 7 compilation entitled Some of Our Archives Were Missing on 29 May 2004. It was broadcast for a second time on 17 June 2008, as the first episode in a rerun of the entire series.

Episodes

Original pilot (1981)

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleRecorded [4]Original air date [5]
11"Loyal Support"19 July 198129 May 2004 (2004-05-29)
Arthur Wilson's peacetime life is changed forever when he discovers that he has an appointment with one Captain Mainwaring. Wilson is in for more of a shock when he learns that Mainwaring wishes to purchase Frambourne-on-Sea's neglected pier and requires a pricey loan. This episode stars Arthur Lowe as Captain Mainwaring and John Le Mesurier as Arthur Wilson. Episode produced by Jonathan James-Moore. Guest starring Josephine Tewson (Miss Baines), Timothy Bateson (Guthrie), Anthony Sharp (Charles Hunter), Duggie Brown (Stephen Rawlings), Sydney Bromley (Percy Short), Haydn Wood (the Man).

Series 1 (1983-84)

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleRecorded [6][7]Original air date [8]
11"The Business Proposition"11 September 198213 November 1983 (1983-11-13)
Bert Hodges approaches Frank Pike with a proposal to renovate Frambourne Pier. The trouble is, they need a loan. Perhaps Pike's "uncle", bank manager Arthur Wilson, could assist? Series produced by Martin Fisher. Guest starring Edward Burnham (Mr Short), Robin Parkinson (Mr Hunter), Gordon Peters (Mr Rawlings) and Spencer Banks (Council Employee).
22"The Bank Loan"19 February 198320 November 1983 (1983-11-20)
With Pike and Hodges having secured the loan from Wilson's bank, the trio venture onto the pier for their first proper look at their new purchase. However, they meet opposition from pier chief attendant Fred Guthrie. Guest starring Glynn Edwards (Guthrie) and Michael Bilton (Mr Johnson).
33"Who Owned the Pier?"23 February 198327 November 1983 (1983-11-27)
Hodges recruits Wilson to help him and Pike conduct research into the history of the pier. Meanwhile, Pike organises to have the pier reconnected to the electricity board. Guest starring Glynn Edwards (Guthrie), Barrie Gosney (Mr Watkins/the Electrician), James Bryce (the Bank Cashier/the Librarian), and Stuart Sherwin (Electricity Showroom Assistant).
44"Inspecting the Piles"23 February 19834 December 1983 (1983-12-04)
Hodges and Pike bribe Wilson into helping them expect the piles of the pier. Hodges must supply the radio, Pike must supply the hammer, and Wilson must supply the boat. But just how seaworthy is an inflatable rubber dinghy?
55"Pike in Love"19 February 198311 December 1983 (1983-12-11)
Pike has a new girlfriend, but his engagements with her are threatening to derail the plans for the pier. Meanwhile, Hodges discovers that the pier ballroom needs a replacement of deckchairs. Guest starring Carol Hawkins (Avril), Janet Davies (Mrs Pike), and Gordon Salkilld (the Telephone Engineer).
66"The Friends of Frambourne Pier"26 February 198318 December 1983 (1983-12-18)
Hodges receives the estimates for the pier's renovation, and the high labour costs involved would prove unreasonable. Miss Perkins comes up with a bright idea: to get volunteers to lend a hand. Guest starring Glynn Edwards (Guthrie), Michael Knowles (Ernest Woolcot) and Hilda Braid (Mrs Briggs).
77"The First Meeting"5 March 19831 January 1984 (1984-01-01)
Mrs Pike believes that Wilson, with all his time spent helping Pike and Hodges at the pier, is having an affair. Meanwhile, the first meeting of the Friends of Frambourne Pier Association (FOFPA) is held. Guest starring Glynn Edwards (Guthrie), Michael Knowles (Ernest Woolcot), Hilda Braid (Mrs Briggs), Michael Bilton (Elderly Man), Madi Hedd (Woman), Jill Lidstone (Young Lady).
88"Marooned"8 March 19838 January 1984 (1984-01-08)
The only place on the pier that Pike and Hodges haven't been able to access yet is the theatre at the end. Together with Wilson and Miss Perkins, the four of them cross the 40-foot gap by bosun's chair. Guest starring Paul Russell (Derek).
99"The Fancy Dress Night"5 March 198315 January 1984 (1984-01-15)
In order to attract more interest in the pier and to earn some much-needed funds for repairs, Pike has an idea to hold a fancy-dress party at the pier theatre. Guest starring Janet Davies (Mrs Pike), Michael Knowles (Ernest Woolcot), Hilda Braid (Mrs Briggs), Gordon Clyde (Willoughby Smallpiece), Miranda Forbes (Waitress).
1010"The Builder"26 February 198321 August 1984 (1984-08-21)
Pike and Hodges require a builder for the pier. After a few false starts, Pike organises to meet the builder, Mr Fisher, later that day. But why is Hodges so opposed to the idea? Guest starring Glynn Edwards (Guthrie), Stella Tanner (Myrtle Spivy), Gordon Clyde (Mr Fisher), Carol Harrison (the Builder's Receptionist), Katherine Parr (Irish Nun).
1111"War Damage"8 March 19834 September 1984 (1984-09-04)
Miss Perkins suggests that Pike and Hodges apply for war damage compensation from the government to help restore the pier, so Pike and Hodges, along with a reluctant Wilson, take the train down to Whitehall. Guest starring Reginald Marsh (Sir Wensley Smithers), Michael Bilton (Mr Thorndyke/Civil Servant 3), Gordon Clyde (Civil Servant 1 and 5), Jon Glover (Civil Servant 2 and 4).
1212"The Pin Up Girl"15 March 198318 September 1984 (1984-09-18)
The photos in the pier's What the Butler Saw machines need updating. Pike and Hodges task Wilson in persuading Miss Perkins to pose as the model. Meanwhile, Hodges tries to join the local rotary club in order to gain contacts to help restore the pier. Guest starring Robin Parkinson (Mr Hunter), Christopher Biggins (Dudley Watkins).
1313"Hidden Treasure"15 March 19832 October 1984 (1984-10-02)
While mending the turnstiles, Pike, Hodges and Guthrie discover a booklet revealing the general location of a jewel-studded golden seahorse brooch, hidden somewhere on the pier. Pike suggests they seek guidance from Madame Zara, a fortune teller. Guest starring Glynn Edwards (Guthrie), Betty Marsden (Madame Zara).

Release

Broadcast

The first nine episodes of the series were broadcast from 13 November 1983 to 15 January 1984 on Sunday afternoons at 1:30 pm. Each episode was repeated the following Friday at 10:00 pm, from 18 November 1983 to 20 January 1984. Later in the year, the final four episodes of the series were broadcast from 21 August to 9 October 1984 at 10:30 pm.[8]

The series was subsequently repeated again on BBC Radio 2, but an apparent mix-up between different BBC departments resulted in most of the broadcast tapes being wiped. The series featured some of John Le Mesurier's last performances.

The BBC's Treasure Hunt unearthed off-air recordings of It Sticks Out Half a Mile, and the digital radio archive channel BBC 7 has broadcast the recovered copies of the series.

BBC Radio 4 Extra repeated the whole series, including the pilot, in June 2020. Since 30 June 2020, all fourteen episodes have been made available for listening on Spotify.

Media releases

The original pilot and the first three episodes of the series were released in September 2010, on a compact disc titled Classic BBC Radio Comedy: It Sticks Out Half a Mile. A second CD, containing the next four episodes and titled It Sticks Out Half a Mile: Continued, was released in February 2012. Both were also released as audiobooks. The whole series, including the original pilot, was subsequently released as a CD and audiobook in October 2019.[9]

The original pilot was also released on the Dad's Army: The Complete Radio Series: Series 3 compact disc in May 2015, and the collector's edition of series three, released in March 2004.[10]

Reception

In 2012, Graham McCann, in his biography on John Le Mesurier, wrote that, although the first episode was of a high standard: 'Some of the subsequent episodes (which were broadcast later in the year) would fall rather flat, certainly by the very high standards of Dad's Army, but the unforced rapport between Le Mesurier, Lavender and Pertwee kept the series sufficiently entertaining to justify it as a spin-off.'[11]

Inconsistencies with Dad's Army

Pike's age is incorrect in this series. In the first episode of the second series of Dad's Army, titled "Operation Kilt" and set in 1940, Pike states that he is seventeen. However, eight years later in It Sticks Out Half a Mile (which is set in 1948), Pike is stated by Wilson in "The Business Proposition" as being twenty-two, when he should actually be twenty-five.

In addition, Hodges's first name in Dad's Army is stated as being William, but in It Sticks Out Half a Mile, his first name is Bert.[12]

Television adaptations

There were two attempts to adapt the show for television, without the Dad's Army characters. The first was a BBC pilot titled Walking the Planks, starring Michael Elphick. The BBC did not commission a series. Knowles and Snoad took the concept to Yorkshire Television who produced a seven-part series under a new title, High & Dry. In the role previously performed by Elphick, Bernard Cribbins was cast. Richard Wilson and Vivienne Martin appeared in both versions.

References

  1. ↑ McCann, Graham (2012). Do You Think That's Wise?: The Life of John Le Mesurier. London: Aurum Press. p. 287. ISBN 9781845137908.
  2. ↑ Braxton, Mark (27 July 2018). "Dad's Army 50th anniversary: Ian Lavender looks back at the making of a comedy classic - Radio Times". Radio Times. Retrieved 15 October 2023. At the end of the last episode, I said to David Croft, 'I just have to ask you one thing: is Uncle Arthur my father?' And he looked at me and said, 'Of course he is!'
  3. ↑ "BBC Radio 4 Extra - It Sticks Out Half a Mile, Pilot - Loyal Support". BBC. 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  4. ↑ "It Sticks Out Half a Mile Pilot - Loyal Support - British Comedy Guide". British Comedy Guide. 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  5. ↑ "Some of Our Archives Were Missing (BBC Genome)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  6. ↑ "It Sticks Out Half A Mile". Dad's Army Appreciation Society. 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  7. ↑ Pertwee, Bill (2009). Dad's Army: The Making of a Television Legend. London: Conway Publishing. pp. 178–180. ISBN 9781844861057.
  8. 1 2 "It Sticks Out Half a Mile (BBC Genome)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  9. ↑ "It Sticks Out Half A Mile Shop - British Comedy Guide". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  10. ↑ "Dad's Army (Radio) Shop". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  11. ↑ McCann, Graham (2012). Do You Think That's Wise?: The Life of John Le Mesurier. London: Aurum Press. p. 294. ISBN 9781845137908.
  12. ↑ He is first called this name from "The Bank Loan" onwards.
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