I'm 85 and i've never seen this before - what have i been doing; this is the very essence of British understated comedy. Geoffrey Palmer was one of those actors who was in everything, but never a star in his own right. So many British actors and actresses were like that - 'always the bridesmaid, never the bride' but they were saught after the world over because they did the job and they did it without fuss and never let the side down. The amount of truly great acting talent that this country has produced is amazing and that, by itself, is the reason why they couldn't all become stars. Most British journeymen thespians could act the pants off most of the Hollywood box office stars and British script-writing made their characters so much more believable. RIP to an unsung hero of mine.
Added this to my watchlist only earlier this week. Fascinated by the character in Reggie Perrin and didn't even realise he'd (sort of) had his own series until recently. Today's sad news has prompted me to put it on. RIP Geoffrey Palmer, one of the all-time greats.
In case you missed it, Geoffrey stars in BBC radio's High Table, Lower Orders, a comic mystery over two series, about skulduggery in a fictional Cambridge college. He is at his sparkling best, the dry wit and easy intelligence on top form. It is still available on Radio Sounds and as a download. Enjoy.
Just found this post. Bloody wonderful. Best comedy EVER. I recorded them all but I had a very poor signal from Channel 4 in its infancy, living in the sticks. Belated thanks! I'll chuck my old tapes away now!
+Isobel in Ottawa I watched this when it was first broadcast, when I was at Uni...and I picked up that phrase, still use it but forgot where I picked it up from ...until now..Ha
I saw this run only once on PBS in Minneapolis/St. Paul. I wish this series was on DVD. It wasn't among the venerated classic Brit-Coms but I loved it all the same.
Hello damienouija. A Fairly Secret Army IS available on DVD, from Amazon. It's not cheap, but if you have $70 or so, just lying around, or if you can ponce it off Curly, you could get the full 13 episode series. Its was on the air about the same length of time as Fawlty Towers. Good luck mate.
Thanks for sharing, amazing this was never released considering the junk that was put out to video and DVD. Now, if I could only find John Alderton in "Father's Day" - that truly is a lost cause I think.
Fantastic save on the VCR, I boggle at the stuff I recorded and kept back in the which now sits gathering dust in my parents attic! Blott on the Landscape, Private Shultz, Dead Head, Edge of Darkness to name just a few. One day I'll dig them out and whack them on YT...
Fantastic series! Wonderful cast! Can't believe it wasn't promoted more at the time. Thank you so, so much for stepping up & posting this bit of gold Sir! :-D
Thank you so much for posting these two series of a brilliant comedy. I have been scanning the DVD releases for quite some time in the hope it would appear and had almost given up any hope of seeing these again.
I remember this show, particularly the episode where he was in a VW van, and I guess he thought he was in first gear when he was actually in reverse ...
Many thanks for this my family loved the show and wanted much more of it. Personally its a shame that this and Reggie Perrin were on different channels, as it would have been excellent if that were not the case. Because I would have liked to see Reggie and his wife pop up on Secret Army and vice versa.
Hadn't come across expy before interesting here's what google came up with "An expy (short "exported character") is a character from one series who is unambiguously and deliberately based on a character in another, older series. A few minor traits, such as age or hair color, may change, but there's no doubt that they are almost one and the same
Great show I do not recall it being shown more than once. Geoffrey Palmer at his lugubrious best. And just saying that pint of ale in the pub looked awful, flat as a witches tit!
Pinkie, I've got this great idea mate; an army of dwarfs. Think about it, you could smuggle them in anywhere. The little fuckers could infiltrate the entire government Plus, if they get blow up by terrorists, there'll be less mess to clean up. Brilliant or what!
They broke the mould when they made him , never be another like him , a true one off great man and actor !
I'm 85 and i've never seen this before - what have i been doing; this is the very essence of British understated comedy. Geoffrey Palmer was one of those actors who was in everything, but never a star in his own right. So many British actors and actresses were like that - 'always the bridesmaid, never the bride' but they were saught after the world over because they did the job and they did it without fuss and never let the side down. The amount of truly great acting talent that this country has produced is amazing and that, by itself, is the reason why they couldn't all become stars. Most British journeymen thespians could act the pants off most of the Hollywood box office stars and British script-writing made their characters so much more believable. RIP to an unsung hero of mine.
MIssed this first time round. Cock up on the TV watching front.
Made me laugh :D
Added this to my watchlist only earlier this week. Fascinated by the character in Reggie Perrin and didn't even realise he'd (sort of) had his own series until recently. Today's sad news has prompted me to put it on. RIP Geoffrey Palmer, one of the all-time greats.
Me too. Thsi is a nice tribute. th-cam.com/video/IH8VztBX2do/w-d-xo.html
R.I.P. Geoffrey Palmer. This was a forgotten gem
Loved this first time round, same this time. RIP the wonderful Geoffrey Palmer.
In case you missed it, Geoffrey stars in BBC radio's High Table, Lower Orders, a comic mystery over two series, about skulduggery in a fictional Cambridge college. He is at his sparkling best, the dry wit and easy intelligence on top form. It is still available on Radio Sounds and as a download. Enjoy.
So glad I found this. Brilliant series. Haven't seen it since the 80s.
“I’m a doctor and l want my sausages”
I remember that too, "Fatty Owls".
Just found this post. Bloody wonderful. Best comedy EVER. I recorded them all but I had a very poor signal from Channel 4 in its infancy, living in the sticks. Belated thanks! I'll chuck my old tapes away now!
"Well done, that man"! Can't get enough of that! Thanks for posting.
+Isobel in Ottawa I watched this when it was first broadcast, when I was at Uni...and I picked up that phrase, still use it but forgot where I picked it up from ...until now..Ha
+Hoss Hoskins "Well done that Man" Memories Difficult Blighters ha ha
many thanks for uploading this series. it's new for me
Thank you so very much. This was a show that my father and I enjoyed watching together and it is a delight to see it again.
Aw, that is wonderful! You are blessed to have enjoyed this with your dad. A most precious memory. Thanks for sharing :)
I saw this run only once on PBS in Minneapolis/St. Paul. I wish this
series was on DVD. It wasn't among the venerated classic Brit-Coms but I
loved it all the same.
Hello damienouija.
A Fairly Secret Army IS available on DVD, from Amazon. It's not cheap, but if you have $70 or so, just lying around, or if you can ponce it off Curly, you could get the full 13 episode series. Its was on the air about the same length of time as Fawlty Towers. Good luck mate.
thanks for sharing
watching this for the first time in 2016 . what a GREAT show.
I loved this show. Thanks - please give us more
Great series, many thanks for posting.
videocurios
Thanks a lot for uploading this series-never saw it before but looks promising-Geoffrey excellent in the role-all the best Tom
Absolutely marvellous. Thank you so much for sharing. Pleased to see Rodney of Only Fools putting in an appearance in the pub scene as well.
Brilliant, thank you so much! Going forward, a message to the rights holder, a Blu-ray of this would make my Christmas!
Thanks for sharing, amazing this was never released considering the junk that was put out to video and DVD. Now, if I could only find John Alderton in "Father's Day" - that truly is a lost cause I think.
I've been looking for this! Many thanks for the upload!
Fantastic save on the VCR, I boggle at the stuff I recorded and kept back in the which now sits gathering dust in my parents attic! Blott on the Landscape, Private Shultz, Dead Head, Edge of Darkness to name just a few. One day I'll dig them out and whack them on YT...
Fantastic series! Wonderful cast! Can't believe it wasn't promoted more at the time. Thank you so, so much for stepping up & posting this bit of gold Sir! :-D
Thanks so much for posting this.
What an amazing theme tune at the end by Michael Nyman!
Same guy who wrote theme of "the piano"
RIP Geoffrey Palmer 1927-2020
Thank you so much for posting these two series of a brilliant comedy. I have been scanning the DVD releases for quite some time in the hope it would appear and had almost given up any hope of seeing these again.
Hey mate, like your Channel. great selection of interesting films
I remember this show, particularly the episode where he was in a VW van, and I guess he thought he was in first gear when he was actually in reverse ...
Many thanks for this my family loved the show and wanted much more of it. Personally its a shame that this and Reggie Perrin were on different channels, as it would have been excellent if that were not the case. Because I would have liked to see Reggie and his wife pop up on Secret Army and vice versa.
Well done that man!
this takes me back
What a Great Actor !
Wonderful
Best theme tune ever
Great acting Geoff
RIP Geoffrey.
Okay Mr Shaw, I'll join your army.
RIP you legend
Fairly Secret Army has two series for a total of 13 episodes: One (6), two (7). well worth watching.....
Solid chap, Harry. Methods a little unorthodox, but heart in right place. Country could do with a few more at moment.
Reimer Bard Exactly ha ha
GREAT!
Guy robs a church not the typical opening act for a sitcom.
Tricky blighters,
sit coms
So enjoying seeing this again! By the way, do you have the footage of that Channel 4 break-filler or any others? Would love to see them again !!
I probably do on the vhs recordings,but didnt i leave a bit on these uploads its repetive stuff anyway
Diane Fletcher who was in House of Cards with Ian Richardson
Wasn't there some copyright reason why they couldn't use the Jimmy character from Reginald Perrin so they had to use an expy?
Hadn't come across expy before interesting here's what google came up with "An expy (short "exported character") is a character from one series who is unambiguously and deliberately based on a character in another, older series. A few minor traits, such as age or hair color, may change, but there's no doubt that they are almost one and the same
@@videocurios thank you for defining that term. good to know
Agree top tune👍
Was the chairman of the magistrates the waiter in Rising Damp ?
"Treacherous chaps, Women"
The channel 4 logo is leaking!
Diane Fletcher was quite a catch.
No pension?
Surprisingly amusing, after the awful Legacy of RP.
Great show I do not recall it being shown more than once. Geoffrey Palmer at his lugubrious best. And just saying that pint of ale in the pub looked awful, flat as a witches tit!
Anyone interested in starting a secret army?
You're my first recruit Heno!
You'd be okay Duc, we'd put you in charge of moral.
Yes, but a chap like you would soon sort them out. I'll put you down for Brigadier.
Pinkie, I've got this great idea mate; an army of dwarfs. Think about it, you could smuggle them in anywhere. The little fuckers could infiltrate the entire government Plus, if they get blow up by terrorists, there'll be less mess to clean up. Brilliant or what!
What do you mean, 'if they get blow up?'
Wonder if Mr. Geoffrey Palmer was a real Palmer or if it was a stage name.
Was this a sit com? Comedy? I never quite knew never laughed once.
No its not the standard sitcom format, it's more of a parody,and if you understand it, it is much funnier than most sitcoms.
It was awful back then and it's worse now.
And it'll be 10 x worse in the future ha ha
Well would you expect Brian , it was on Channel 4
Duc de Richleau Sorry no havent ot those
Duc de Richleau I remember Lame Ducks. Few remember it which is a shame. I enjoyed it.