It Ain't Half Hot Mum (1974)

Name: It Ain't Half Hot Mum
Rating: 7.3

Rating: 7.3

Synopsis

In 1945, during the final months of the Second World War, a group of soldiers perform for the Royal Artillery concert party, with comic acts and musical numbers for others prior to their departure for the frontlines. The party avoids partaking in combat duty; thus, the soldiers love being part of the outfit. Some even daydream of becoming world-famous actors when they leave the army.

First Air Date: 1974-01-03

Last Air Date: 1981-09-03

Number of Seasons: 8

Number of Episodes: 56

Created By: David Croft, Jimmy Perry

Networks: BBC One

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Windsor Davies as Battery Sergeant-Major 'Shut Up' Williams
Melvyn Hayes as Bombardier 'Gloria' Beaumont
Don Estelle as Gunner 'Lofty' Sugden
Donald Hewlett as Colonel Charles Reynolds
Michael Knowles as Captain Jonathan Ashwood
John Clegg as Gunner 'Padoruski' Graham
Dino Shafeek as Char Wallah Muhammed
Mike Kinsey as Gunner 'Nosher' Evans
Kenneth MacDonald as Gunner 'Nobby' Clark
Stuart McGugan as Gunner 'Atlas' Mackintosh

Seasons

Select a Season

None

None (1974)

No overview available for this season.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: Meet the Gang (1974-01-03)

Gunner Solomons is trying to run a Concert Party rehearsal and he's finding it difficult without Gunner Graham, the pianist, who's been put on jankers by Sergeant Major Williams. The Sergeant Major is determined that Graham will spend his time painting stones white rather than playing the piano for a 'bunch of puffs'. Solly decides to appeal to a higher authority, so he sends the Bearer off to deliver a note to the Colonel. As a result, Graham is excused jankers and allowed to join the rest of the Concert Party in rehearsal. That evening, the Concert Party performance is interrupted when a large mob of locals stage an anti-British protest outside the camp gates. The Sergeant Major finds himself 'annointed' with the dung of a sacred animal - all over his best tunic.
Ep. 2: My Lovely Boy (1974-01-10)

Rangi Ram notices that Gunner Parkins and the Sergeant Major both have a photograph of the same woman next to their beds. It's Parky's mother and the only woman the Sergeant Major ever loved. Rangi tells the Sergeant Major, who jumps to the conclusion that Parky is his son. Gunner Parkins is about to be posted 'up the jungle'. Williams tries to think of a way of preventing this from happening. He decides to arrange for Parky to become a member of the Concert Party, as a ventriloquist. News of the German surrender and the end of the war in Europe reaches the camp.
Ep. 3: The Mutiny of the Punka Wallahs (1974-01-17)

It's decided that all of the Punkah Wallahs in the camp should be replaced with electric fans. When the Punkah Wallahs hear about this, they all go on strike. The local electricity workers walk out in sympathy, so the camp is suddenly without power. Then the workers at the telephone exchange go on strike. Gunner Solomons comes up with a plan to settle the dispute and reinstate the Punkah Wallahs
Ep. 4: A Star is Born (1974-01-24)

Gunner Parkin is "removed" from the concert party. The Sergeant Major plots to have the rest of the gang sent "up the jungle".
Ep. 5: The Jungle Patrol (1974-01-31)

Sergeant Major Williams talks the Colonel into letting him take the men from the Concert Party on a jungle survival course. The Sergeant Major thinks everyone is going without food and water, but Solly has arranged for Rangi Ram and the Char Wallah to follow behind with hot tea and food. While the Sergeant Major suffers from hunger and thirst, the men from the Concert Party keep sneaking off to eat and drink.
Ep. 6: It's a Wise Child (1974-02-07)

Attempts are made to find out whether or not RSM Williams really IS Parky's father
Ep. 7: The Road to Bannu (1974-02-14)

The Concert Party are on their way to put on a show for the troops at Bannu, on the Northwest Frontier. After a long, hot train journey, they set off by road on the last leg of the journey. The truck breaks down and the men are stranded. They find themselves surrounded by hostile tribesmen. Solly has to pose as Bing Crosby and put on a show for the tribesmen in order to pacify them. When Gloria appears as Dorothy Lamour, the leader of the tribesmen wants to buy 'her'.
Ep. 8: The Inspector Calls (1974-02-21)

The Sergeant Major wants the men from the Concert Party to do guard duty and drill. The Colonel points out that they all have different uniforms, so they wouldn't look right on guard. The Sergeant Major plans to get the gang to dress up in similar uniforms by persuading them to include a 'military' number in the show. Solly manages to get hold of some uniforms and begins to rehearse 'The Road To Mandalay'. The General pays a visit to inspect the camp. He complains about the fact that the men in the camp all seem to be wearing different uniforms. Then he sees the Sergeant Major drilling the Concert Party, all dressed in similar uniforms, and insists on inspecting them.