It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, The Last Roll Call, 1981
As today marks 80 years since VJ day it seemed a good time to showcase this episode of the popular sitcom.
The boys had indeed entertained us. It Ain’t Half Hot Mum was set in the final months of World War 2, where the enemy was the Japanese. However after 8 series and 7 years it was time, like the war, to come to an end.
Summary
With Victory against the Japanese declared the war had finally come to an end. It’s time for the concert party to go home.
The Royal Artillery Concert Party are back in England awaiting demob. Williams is determined that they will be disciplined soldiers to the bitter end.
When the company arrive back in England and grope their way through the fog to Customs where Ashford is almost arrested at the demobilization centre.
Despite their being away on service, its not just the dismay at the lack of choice for their civilian suits, but they find nobody respects them. Despite this it still feels good to be a private citizen again, and they all have homes to go to – except Williams. He applied to be a prison warder but finds himself turned down because of his age.
Parkin displays rare insight in being the only man to pick up on this and suggests the sergeant major moves in with him. The offer is gratefully accepted.
Clips
Starring
Windsor Davies
Don Estelle
Melvyn Hayes
Donald Hewlett
Michael Knowles
Details
Channel: BBC1
Written By: David Croft and Jimmy Perry
Originally Transmitted: September 3rd, 1981
Where To Watch
The full series was released to DVD from the usual sources. It Ain’t Half Hot Mum is one of the shows shown regularly on That’s TV.