It Sticks Out Half a Mile - Revision history

Kurt at 00:57, 25 August 2024

2024-08-25T00:57:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:57, 24 August 2024
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	!style="background:#BDB76B;" \|No		!style="background:#BDB76B;" \|No
	!style="background:#BDB76B; width:50%;" \|Title		!style="background:#BDB76B; width:50%;" \|Title
	!style="background:#BDB76B;" \|Recorded~~{{Citation needed\|reason=no source for these dates\|date=October 2016}}~~		!style="background:#BDB76B;" \|Recorded
	!style="background:#BDB76B;" \|First broadcast<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/20?order=asc&q=%22It+Sticks+Out+Half+A+Mile%22#search BBC Genome - It Sticks Out Half A Mile]</ref>		!style="background:#BDB76B;" \|First broadcast<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/20?order=asc&q=%22It+Sticks+Out+Half+A+Mile%22#search BBC Genome - It Sticks Out Half A Mile]</ref>
	\|-		\|-

Kurt at 05:01, 10 February 2023

2023-02-10T05:01:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:01, 10 February 2023
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	~~{{Short description\|British comedy radio series}}~~
	~~{{Use British English\|date=July 2014}}~~
	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=November 2012}}~~
	{{Italic title}}		{{Italic title}}
	{{Infobox radio show		{{Infobox radio show
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	\| end_time =		\| end_time =
	\| runtime_note =		\| runtime_note =
	\| country = [[w:England\|England]]		\| country = [[England\|England]]
	\| language =		\| language =
	\| home_station = [[w:BBC Radio\|BBC Radio]]		\| home_station = [[BBC Radio\|BBC Radio]]
	\| syndicates =		\| syndicates =
	\| television =		\| television =
	\| presenter =		\| presenter =
	\| starring = [[John Le Mesurier]]<br />[[w:Ian Lavender\|Ian Lavender]]<br />[[Bill Pertwee]]<br />Vivienne Martin<br />[[Arthur Lowe]] (original episode)		\| starring = [[John Le Mesurier]]<br />[[Ian Lavender\|Ian Lavender]]<br />[[Bill Pertwee]]<br />Vivienne Martin<br />[[Arthur Lowe]] (original episode)
	\| announcer =		\| announcer =
	\| creator =		\| creator =
	\| writer = [[Harold Snoad]]<br>[[w:Michael Knowles (actor)\|Michael Knowles]]		\| writer = [[Harold Snoad]]<br>[[Michael Knowles (actor)\|Michael Knowles]]
	\| director =		\| director =
	\| senior_editor =		\| senior_editor =
	\| editor =		\| editor =
	\| producer = [[w:Martin Fisher\|Martin Fisher]]		\| producer = [[Martin Fisher\|Martin Fisher]]
	\| exec_producer =		\| exec_producer =
	\| narrated =		\| narrated =
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	\| num_series = 1		\| num_series = 1
	\| num_episodes = 13		\| num_episodes = 13
	\| audio_format = [[w:Stereo\|Stereo]]		\| audio_format = [[Stereo\|Stereo]]
	\| opentheme =		\| opentheme =
	\| othertheme =		\| othertheme =
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	\| podcast = <!-- {{URL\|example.com}} -->		\| podcast = <!-- {{URL\|example.com}} -->
	}}		}}
	'''''It Sticks Out Half a Mile''''' is a [[w:BBC Radio\|BBC Radio]] [[w:sitcom\|sitcom]] created by [[Harold Snoad]] and [[w:Michael Knowles (actor)\|Michael Knowles]] as a sequel to the [[w:television\|television]] [[w:World War II\|World War II]] sitcom ''[[Dad's Army]]'', for which Snoad and Knowles had written [[w:radio\|radio]] adaptations.		'''''It Sticks Out Half a Mile''''' is a [[BBC Radio\|BBC Radio]] [[sitcom\|sitcom]] created by [[Harold Snoad]] and [[Michael Knowles (actor)\|Michael Knowles]] as a sequel to the [[television\|television]] [[World War II\|World War II]] sitcom ''[[Dad's Army]]'', for which Snoad and Knowles had written [[radio\|radio]] adaptations.


Line 56:		Line 53:
	* [[Bill Pertwee]] - Bert Hodges		* [[Bill Pertwee]] - Bert Hodges
	* Vivienne Martin - Miss Perkins		* Vivienne Martin - Miss Perkins
	* [[w:Michael Knowles (actor)\|Michael Knowles]] - Ernest Woolcott		* [[Michael Knowles (actor)\|Michael Knowles]] - Ernest Woolcott
	* [[Arthur Lowe]] - George Mainwaring (Pilot Episode Only)		* [[Arthur Lowe]] - George Mainwaring (Pilot Episode Only)

	==The pilot==		==The pilot==

	The original pilot episode, set in 1948, involved former bank manager and [[w:British Home Guard\|Home Guard]] [[Captain Mainwaring]] ([[Arthur Lowe]]) deciding to renovate a decrepit seaside [[w:pier\|pier]] 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 Wilson\|Sergeant Arthur Wilson]] ([[John Le Mesurier]]).		The original pilot episode, set in 1948, involved former bank manager and [[British Home Guard\|Home Guard]] [[Captain Mainwaring]] ([[Arthur Lowe]]) deciding to renovate a decrepit seaside [[pier\|pier]] 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 Wilson\|Sergeant Arthur Wilson]] ([[John Le Mesurier]]).

	The pier was allegedly built by [[w:Eugenius Birch\|Eugenius Birch]].		The pier was allegedly built by [[Eugenius Birch\|Eugenius Birch]].

	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 [[w:BBC 7\|BBC 7]], and later BBC 7's successor, BBC Radio 4 Extra.<ref>{{Cite web \| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jpd9 \| title=BBC Radio 4 Extra - It Sticks Out Half a Mile, Pilot - Loyal Support }}</ref>		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\|BBC 7]], and later BBC 7's successor, BBC Radio 4 Extra.<ref>{{Cite web \| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jpd9 \| title=BBC Radio 4 Extra - It Sticks Out Half a Mile, Pilot - Loyal Support }}</ref>

	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.		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.
Line 71:		Line 68:
	==The series==		==The series==

	Still set in 1948, the modified version involves Bert Hodges ([[Bill Pertwee]]), former [[w:Air Raid Precautions\|ARP]] warden and nemesis of Mainwaring's Home Guard unit, approaching former Home Guard Private Frank Pike ([[w:Ian Lavender\|Ian Lavender]]), now 22 years old, with a proposal to renovate the near derelict pier, costing £5,000, at Frambourne. In order to finance this plan Pike has to approach bank manager Arthur Wilson (Le Mesurier), who just happens to be his "uncle" (publicly a friend of his mother's, but strongly hinted to the audience to be Pike's father), for a loan. Wilson is blackmailed by Pike (who is no longer the young innocent of ''Dad's Army'') over past indiscretions with a woman named Smith and Wilson suspects the only reason Hodges approached Pike was to get to the bank's money through him. Nevertheless, Pike and Wilson put aside their wartime quarrel with Hodges – more or less – and the renovation begins. As well as Pike, Wilson and Hodges, other characters that appear commonly are Miss Perkins, a bank clerk who giggles a lot, and is implied to be in love with Wilson, and Guthrie, the attendant in charge with supervising the pier who has a perforated eardrum.		Still set in 1948, the modified version involves Bert Hodges ([[Bill Pertwee]]), former [[Air Raid Precautions\|ARP]] warden and nemesis of Mainwaring's Home Guard unit, approaching former Home Guard Private Frank Pike ([[Ian Lavender\|Ian Lavender]]), now 22 years old, with a proposal to renovate the near derelict pier, costing £5,000, at Frambourne. In order to finance this plan Pike has to approach bank manager Arthur Wilson (Le Mesurier), who just happens to be his "uncle" (publicly a friend of his mother's, but strongly hinted to the audience to be Pike's father), for a loan. Wilson is blackmailed by Pike (who is no longer the young innocent of ''Dad's Army'') over past indiscretions with a woman named Smith and Wilson suspects the only reason Hodges approached Pike was to get to the bank's money through him. Nevertheless, Pike and Wilson put aside their wartime quarrel with Hodges – more or less – and the renovation begins. As well as Pike, Wilson and Hodges, other characters that appear commonly are Miss Perkins, a bank clerk who giggles a lot, and is implied to be in love with Wilson, and Guthrie, the attendant in charge with supervising the pier who has a perforated eardrum.

	==Broadcast==		==Broadcast==
	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 ''Radio's Lost Property'' on 1 November 2003, with the complete programme heard on a [[w:BBC 7\|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.		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 ''Radio's Lost Property'' on 1 November 2003, with the complete programme heard on a [[BBC 7\|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.

	The series proper was first broadcast on [[w:BBC Radio 2]], at 1.30pm on 13 November 1983<ref>[http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/radio2/1983-11-13 Radio Times]</ref> and ran for 13 episodes. It was subsequently repeated again on [[w:BBC Radio 2\|BBC Radio 2]], but an apparent mix-up between different [[w:BBC\|BBC]] departments resulted in most of the broadcast tapes being wiped. The series featured some of John Le Mesurier's last performances.		The series proper was first broadcast on [[BBC Radio 2]], at 1.30pm on 13 November 1983<ref>[http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/radio2/1983-11-13 Radio Times]</ref> and ran for 13 episodes. It was subsequently repeated again on [[BBC Radio 2\|BBC Radio 2]], but an apparent mix-up between different [[BBC\|BBC]] departments resulted in most of the broadcast tapes being wiped. The series featured some of John Le Mesurier's last performances.

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

	BBC Radio 4 Extra has begun repeating the whole series, including the pilot, in June 2020. Since 30 June 2020, all fourteen episodes have been made available for listening on [[w:Spotify\|Spotify]].		BBC Radio 4 Extra has begun repeating the whole series, including the pilot, in June 2020. Since 30 June 2020, all fourteen episodes have been made available for listening on [[Spotify\|Spotify]].

	==TV adaptations==		==TV adaptations==

	There were two attempts to adapt the show for television – without the ''Dad's Army'' characters. The first was a BBC pilot, ''Walking the Planks'', starring [[w:Michael Elphick\|Michael Elphick]], but the BBC did not commission a series. Knowles and Snoad took the concept to [[w:Yorkshire Television\|Yorkshire Television]] who produced a seven-part series under a new title, ''[[w:High & Dry (1987 TV series)\|High & Dry]]''. In the role previously performed by Elphick, [[w:Bernard Cribbins\|Bernard Cribbins]] was cast. [[w:Richard Wilson (Scottish actor)\|Richard Wilson]] and Vivienne Martin appeared in both versions.		There were two attempts to adapt the show for television – without the ''Dad's Army'' characters. The first was a BBC pilot, ''Walking the Planks'', starring [[Michael Elphick\|Michael Elphick]], but the BBC did not commission a series. Knowles and Snoad took the concept to [[Yorkshire Television\|Yorkshire Television]] who produced a seven-part series under a new title, ''[[High & Dry (1987 TV series)\|High & Dry]]''. In the role previously performed by Elphick, [[Bernard Cribbins\|Bernard Cribbins]] was cast. [[Richard Wilson (Scottish actor)\|Richard Wilson]] and Vivienne Martin appeared in both versions.

	== Episodes ==		== Episodes ==

Kurt: /* TV adaptations */

2022-09-03T04:38:43Z

TV adaptations

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:38, 2 September 2022
Line 84:		Line 84:
	==TV adaptations==		==TV adaptations==

	There were two attempts to adapt the show for television – without the ''Dad's Army'' characters. The first was a BBC pilot, ''Walking the Planks'', starring [[Michael Elphick]], but 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 (1987 TV series)\|High & Dry]]''. In the role previously performed by Elphick, [[w:Bernard Cribbins\|Bernard Cribbins]] was cast. [[w:Richard Wilson (Scottish actor)\|Richard Wilson]] and Vivienne Martin appeared in both versions.		There were two attempts to adapt the show for television – without the ''Dad's Army'' characters. The first was a BBC pilot, ''Walking the Planks'', starring [[w:Michael Elphick\|Michael Elphick]], but the BBC did not commission a series. Knowles and Snoad took the concept to [[w:Yorkshire Television\|Yorkshire Television]] who produced a seven-part series under a new title, ''[[w:High & Dry (1987 TV series)\|High & Dry]]''. In the role previously performed by Elphick, [[w:Bernard Cribbins\|Bernard Cribbins]] was cast. [[w:Richard Wilson (Scottish actor)\|Richard Wilson]] and Vivienne Martin appeared in both versions.

	== Episodes ==		== Episodes ==

Kurt: /* The pilot */

2022-09-03T04:37:16Z

The pilot

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:37, 2 September 2022
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	==The pilot==		==The pilot==

	The original pilot episode, set in 1948, involved former bank manager and [[w:British Home Guard\|Home Guard]] [[Captain Mainwaring]] ([[Arthur Lowe]]) deciding to renovate a decrepit seaside [[w:pier\|pier]] 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 original pilot episode, set in 1948, involved former bank manager and [[w:British Home Guard\|Home Guard]] [[Captain Mainwaring]] ([[Arthur Lowe]]) deciding to renovate a decrepit seaside [[w:pier\|pier]] 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 Wilson\|Sergeant Arthur Wilson]] ([[John Le Mesurier]]).

	The pier was allegedly built by [[w:Eugenius Birch\|Eugenius Birch]].		The pier was allegedly built by [[w:Eugenius Birch\|Eugenius Birch]].

Kurt at 04:36, 3 September 2022

2022-09-03T04:36:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:36, 2 September 2022
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	\| num_series = 1		\| num_series = 1
	\| num_episodes = 13		\| num_episodes = 13
	\| audio_format = [[w:~~Monaural~~\|~~Monaural~~]]		\| audio_format = [[w:Stereo\|Stereo]]
	\| opentheme =		\| opentheme =
	\| othertheme =		\| othertheme =

Kurt at 04:35, 3 September 2022

2022-09-03T04:35:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:35, 2 September 2022
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	\| end_time =		\| end_time =
	\| runtime_note =		\| runtime_note =
	\| country = [[England]]		\| country = [[w:England\|England]]
	\| language =		\| language =
	\| home_station =		\| home_station = [[w:BBC Radio\|BBC Radio]]
	\| syndicates =		\| syndicates =
	\| television =		\| television =
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	\| num_series = 1		\| num_series = 1
	\| num_episodes = 13		\| num_episodes = 13
	\| audio_format =		\| audio_format = [[w:Monaural\|Monaural]]
	\| opentheme =		\| opentheme =
	\| othertheme =		\| othertheme =

Kurt at 04:33, 3 September 2022

2022-09-03T04:33:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:33, 2 September 2022
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	\| television =		\| television =
	\| presenter =		\| presenter =
	\| starring = [[John le Mesurier]]<br />[[Ian Lavender]]<br />[[Bill Pertwee]]<br />Vivienne Martin<br />[[Arthur Lowe]] (original episode)		\| starring = [[John Le Mesurier]]<br />[[w:Ian Lavender\|Ian Lavender]]<br />[[Bill Pertwee]]<br />Vivienne Martin<br />[[Arthur Lowe]] (original episode)
	\| announcer =		\| announcer =
	\| creator =		\| creator =

Kurt at 04:31, 3 September 2022

2022-09-03T04:31:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:31, 2 September 2022
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	{{Use British English\|date=July 2014}}		{{Use British English\|date=July 2014}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=November 2012}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=November 2012}}
	~~{{refimprove\|date=August 2010}}~~
	{{Italic title}}		{{Italic title}}
	'''''It Sticks Out Half a Mile''''' is a [[BBC Radio]] [[sitcom]] created by [[Harold Snoad]] and [[Michael Knowles (actor)\|Michael Knowles]] as a sequel to the [[television]] [[World War II]] sitcom ''[[Dad's Army]]'', for which Snoad and Knowles had written [[radio]] adaptations.

	{{Infobox radio show		{{Infobox radio show
	\| name = It Sticks Out Half a Mile		\| name = It Sticks Out Half a Mile
	\| image =		\| image = It Sticks Out Half a Mile.jpg
	\| image_size =		\| image_size =
	\| alt =		\| alt =
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	\| announcer =		\| announcer =
	\| creator =		\| creator =
	\| writer = [[Harold Snoad]]<br>[[Michael Knowles (actor)\|Michael Knowles]]		\| writer = [[Harold Snoad]]<br>[[w:Michael Knowles (actor)\|Michael Knowles]]
	\| director =		\| director =
	\| senior_editor =		\| senior_editor =
	\| editor =		\| editor =
	\| producer = [[Martin Fisher]]		\| producer = [[w:Martin Fisher\|Martin Fisher]]
	\| exec_producer =		\| exec_producer =
	\| narrated =		\| narrated =
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	\| podcast = <!-- {{URL\|example.com}} -->		\| podcast = <!-- {{URL\|example.com}} -->
	}}		}}
			'''''It Sticks Out Half a Mile''''' is a [[w:BBC Radio\|BBC Radio]] [[w:sitcom\|sitcom]] created by [[Harold Snoad]] and [[w:Michael Knowles (actor)\|Michael Knowles]] as a sequel to the [[w:television\|television]] [[w:World War II\|World War II]] sitcom ''[[Dad's Army]]'', for which Snoad and Knowles had written [[w:radio\|radio]] adaptations.



	==Main Cast==		==Main Cast==
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	* [[Ian Lavender]] - Frank Pike		* [[Ian Lavender]] - Frank Pike
	* [[Bill Pertwee]] - Bert Hodges		* [[Bill Pertwee]] - Bert Hodges
	* [[Vivienne Martin]] - Miss Perkins		* Vivienne Martin - Miss Perkins
	* [[Michael Knowles (actor)\|Michael Knowles]] - Ernest Woolcott		* [[w:Michael Knowles (actor)\|Michael Knowles]] - Ernest Woolcott
	* [[Arthur Lowe]] - George Mainwaring (Pilot Episode Only)		* [[Arthur Lowe]] - George Mainwaring (Pilot Episode Only)

	==The pilot==		==The pilot==

	The original pilot episode, set in 1948, involved former bank manager and [[British Home Guard\|Home Guard]] [[Captain Mainwaring]] ([[Arthur Lowe]]) deciding to renovate a decrepit seaside [[pier]] 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 original pilot episode, set in 1948, involved former bank manager and [[w:British Home Guard\|Home Guard]] [[Captain Mainwaring]] ([[Arthur Lowe]]) deciding to renovate a decrepit seaside [[w:pier\|pier]] 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 pier was allegedly built by [[Eugenius Birch]].		The pier was allegedly built by [[w:Eugenius Birch\|Eugenius Birch]].

	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.<ref>{{Cite web \| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jpd9 \| title=BBC Radio 4 Extra - It Sticks Out Half a Mile, Pilot - Loyal Support }}</ref>		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 [[w:BBC 7\|BBC 7]], and later BBC 7's successor, BBC Radio 4 Extra.<ref>{{Cite web \| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jpd9 \| title=BBC Radio 4 Extra - It Sticks Out Half a Mile, Pilot - Loyal Support }}</ref>

	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.~~{{Citation needed\|date=March 2021}}~~		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.

	==The series==		==The series==

	Still set in 1948, the modified version involves Bert Hodges ([[Bill Pertwee]]), former [[Air Raid Precautions\|ARP]] warden and nemesis of Mainwaring's Home Guard unit, approaching former Home Guard Private Frank Pike ([[Ian Lavender]]), now 22 years old, with a proposal to renovate the near derelict pier, costing £5,000, at Frambourne. In order to finance this plan Pike has to approach bank manager Arthur Wilson (Le Mesurier), who just happens to be his "uncle" (publicly a friend of his mother's, but strongly hinted to the audience to be Pike's father), for a loan. Wilson is blackmailed by Pike (who is no longer the young innocent of ''Dad's Army'') over past indiscretions with a woman named Smith and Wilson suspects the only reason Hodges approached Pike was to get to the bank's money through him. Nevertheless, Pike and Wilson put aside their wartime quarrel with Hodges – more or less – and the renovation begins. As well as Pike, Wilson and Hodges, other characters that appear commonly are Miss Perkins, a bank clerk who giggles a lot, and is implied to be in love with Wilson, and Guthrie, the attendant in charge with supervising the pier who has a perforated eardrum.		Still set in 1948, the modified version involves Bert Hodges ([[Bill Pertwee]]), former [[w:Air Raid Precautions\|ARP]] warden and nemesis of Mainwaring's Home Guard unit, approaching former Home Guard Private Frank Pike ([[w:Ian Lavender\|Ian Lavender]]), now 22 years old, with a proposal to renovate the near derelict pier, costing £5,000, at Frambourne. In order to finance this plan Pike has to approach bank manager Arthur Wilson (Le Mesurier), who just happens to be his "uncle" (publicly a friend of his mother's, but strongly hinted to the audience to be Pike's father), for a loan. Wilson is blackmailed by Pike (who is no longer the young innocent of ''Dad's Army'') over past indiscretions with a woman named Smith and Wilson suspects the only reason Hodges approached Pike was to get to the bank's money through him. Nevertheless, Pike and Wilson put aside their wartime quarrel with Hodges – more or less – and the renovation begins. As well as Pike, Wilson and Hodges, other characters that appear commonly are Miss Perkins, a bank clerk who giggles a lot, and is implied to be in love with Wilson, and Guthrie, the attendant in charge with supervising the pier who has a perforated eardrum.

	==Broadcast==		==Broadcast==
	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 ''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.		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 ''Radio's Lost Property'' on 1 November 2003, with the complete programme heard on a [[w:BBC 7\|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.

	The series proper was first broadcast on [[BBC Radio 2]], at 1.30pm on 13 November 1983<ref>[http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/radio2/1983-11-13 Radio Times]</ref> and ran for 13 episodes. It 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 series proper was first broadcast on [[w:BBC Radio 2]], at 1.30pm on 13 November 1983<ref>[http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/radio2/1983-11-13 Radio Times]</ref> and ran for 13 episodes. It was subsequently repeated again on [[w:BBC Radio 2\|BBC Radio 2]], but an apparent mix-up between different [[w:BBC\|BBC]] departments resulted in most of the broadcast tapes being wiped. The series featured some of John Le Mesurier's last performances.

	The [[BBC Archive Treasure Hunt\|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.~~{{Citation needed\|date=June 2007}}~~		The [[w:BBC Archive Treasure Hunt\|BBC's Treasure Hunt]] unearthed off-air recordings of ''It Sticks Out Half a Mile'', and the digital radio archive channel [[w:BBC 7\|BBC 7]] has broadcast the recovered copies of the series.

	BBC Radio 4 Extra has begun repeating the whole series, including the pilot, in June 2020. Since 30 June 2020, all fourteen episodes have been made available for listening on [[Spotify]].		BBC Radio 4 Extra has begun repeating the whole series, including the pilot, in June 2020. Since 30 June 2020, all fourteen episodes have been made available for listening on [[w:Spotify\|Spotify]].

	==TV adaptations==		==TV adaptations==

	There were two attempts to adapt the show for television – without the ''Dad's Army'' characters. The first was a BBC pilot, ''Walking the Planks'', starring [[Michael Elphick]], but 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 (1987 TV series)\|High & Dry]]''. In the role previously performed by Elphick, [[Bernard Cribbins]] was cast. [[Richard Wilson (Scottish actor)\|Richard Wilson]] and ~~[[Vivienne Martin (actress)\|~~Vivienne Martin]] appeared in both versions.		There were two attempts to adapt the show for television – without the ''Dad's Army'' characters. The first was a BBC pilot, ''Walking the Planks'', starring [[Michael Elphick]], but 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 (1987 TV series)\|High & Dry]]''. In the role previously performed by Elphick, [[w:Bernard Cribbins\|Bernard Cribbins]] was cast. [[w:Richard Wilson (Scottish actor)\|Richard Wilson]] and Vivienne Martin appeared in both versions.

	== Episodes ==		== Episodes ==

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The series

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{{Short description|British comedy radio series}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2012}}
{{refimprove|date=August 2010}}
{{Italic title}}
'''''It Sticks Out Half a Mile''''' is a [[BBC Radio]] [[sitcom]] created by [[Harold Snoad]] and [[Michael Knowles (actor)|Michael Knowles]] as a sequel to the [[television]] [[World War II]] sitcom ''[[Dad's Army]]'', for which Snoad and Knowles had written [[radio]] adaptations.

{{Infobox radio show
| name = It Sticks Out Half a Mile
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| other_names =
| format =
| runtime = 25 minutes
| start_time =
| end_time =
| runtime_note =
| country = [[England]]
| language =
| home_station =
| syndicates =
| television =
| presenter =
| starring = [[John le Mesurier]] [[Ian Lavender]] [[Bill Pertwee]] Vivienne Martin [[Arthur Lowe]] (original episode)
| announcer =
| creator =
| writer = [[Harold Snoad]] [[Michael Knowles (actor)|Michael Knowles]]
| director =
| senior_editor =
| editor =
| producer = [[Martin Fisher]]
| exec_producer =
| narrated =
| rec_location =
| rem_location =
| oth_location =
| first_aired = 
| last_aired = 
| num_series = 1
| num_episodes = 13
| audio_format =
| opentheme =
| othertheme =
| endtheme =
| sponsor =
| website = 
| podcast = 
}}

==Main Cast==

* [[John Le Mesurier]] - Arthur Wilson
* [[Ian Lavender]] - Frank Pike
* [[Bill Pertwee]] - Bert Hodges
* [[Vivienne Martin]] - Miss Perkins
* [[Michael Knowles (actor)|Michael Knowles]] - Ernest Woolcott
* [[Arthur Lowe]] - George Mainwaring (Pilot Episode Only)

==The pilot==

The original pilot episode, set in 1948, involved former bank manager and [[British Home Guard|Home Guard]] [[Captain Mainwaring]] ([[Arthur Lowe]]) deciding to renovate a decrepit seaside [[pier]] 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 pier was allegedly built by [[Eugenius Birch]].

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.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jpd9 | title=BBC Radio 4 Extra - It Sticks Out Half a Mile, Pilot - Loyal Support }}</ref>

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.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}

==The series==

Still set in 1948, the modified version involves Bert Hodges ([[Bill Pertwee]]), former [[Air Raid Precautions|ARP]] warden and nemesis of Mainwaring's Home Guard unit, approaching former Home Guard Private Frank Pike ([[Ian Lavender]]), now 22 years old, with a proposal to renovate the near derelict pier, costing £5,000, at Frambourne. In order to finance this plan Pike has to approach bank manager Arthur Wilson (Le Mesurier), who just happens to be his "uncle" (publicly a friend of his mother's, but strongly hinted to the audience to be Pike's father), for a loan. Wilson is blackmailed by Pike (who is no longer the young innocent of ''Dad's Army'') over past indiscretions with a woman named Smith and Wilson suspects the only reason Hodges approached Pike was to get to the bank's money through him. Nevertheless, Pike and Wilson put aside their wartime quarrel with Hodges – more or less – and the renovation begins. As well as Pike, Wilson and Hodges, other characters that appear commonly are Miss Perkins, a bank clerk who giggles a lot, and is implied to be in love with Wilson, and Guthrie, the attendant in charge with supervising the pier who has a perforated eardrum.

==Broadcast==
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 ''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.

The series proper was first broadcast on [[BBC Radio 2]], at 1.30pm on 13 November 1983<ref>[http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/radio2/1983-11-13 Radio Times]</ref> and ran for 13 episodes. It 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 Archive Treasure Hunt|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.{{Citation needed|date=June 2007}}

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

==TV adaptations==

There were two attempts to adapt the show for television – without the ''Dad's Army'' characters. The first was a BBC pilot, ''Walking the Planks'', starring [[Michael Elphick]], but 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 (1987 TV series)|High & Dry]]''. In the role previously performed by Elphick, [[Bernard Cribbins]] was cast. [[Richard Wilson (Scottish actor)|Richard Wilson]] and [[Vivienne Martin (actress)|Vivienne Martin]] appeared in both versions.

== Episodes ==

===Pilot===
{| class="wikitable" width=100%
!style="background:#BDB76B;" |No
!style="background:#BDB76B; width:50%;" |Title
!style="background:#BDB76B;" |Recorded
!style="background:#BDB76B;" |First broadcast
|-
|001
| ''Loyal Support''
| 19/7/1981
| 29/5/2004
|}

===Series 1===
{| class="wikitable" width=100%
!style="background:#BDB76B;" |No
!style="background:#BDB76B; width:50%;" |Title
!style="background:#BDB76B;" |Recorded{{Citation needed|reason=no source for these dates|date=October 2016}}
!style="background:#BDB76B;" |First broadcast<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/20?order=asc&q=%22It+Sticks+Out+Half+A+Mile%22#search BBC Genome - It Sticks Out Half A Mile]</ref>
|-
|002
| ''The Business Proposition''
| 11/9/1982
| 13/11/1983
|-
|003
| ''The Bank Loan''
| 19/2/1983
| 20/11/1983
|-
|004
| ''Who Owned The Pier?''
| 23/2/1983
| 27/11/1983
|-
|005
| ''Inspecting The Piles''
| 23/2/1983
| 4/12/1983
|-
|006
| ''Pike In Love''
| 19/2/1983
| 11/12/1983
|-
|007
| ''The Friends Of Frambourne Pier''
| 26/2/1983
| 18/12/1983
|-
|008
| ''The First Meeting''
| 5/3/1983
| 1/1/1984
|-
|009
| ''Marooned''
| 8/3/1983
| 8/1/1984
|-
|010
| ''The Fancy Dress Night''
| 20/5/1983
| 11/9/1984
|-
|011
| ''The Builder''
| 5/3/1983
| 15/1/1984
|-
|012
| ''War Damage''
| 8/3/1983
| 4/9/1984
|-
|013
| ''The Pin Up Girl''
| 15/3/1983
| 18/9/1984
|-
|014
| ''Hidden Treasure''
| 15/3/1983
| 9/9/1984
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.radiolistings.co.uk/programmes/i/it/it_sticks_out_half_a_mile.html RadioListings broadcast guide]
*[http://home.btconnect.com/howejam/dadsarmy/radio/radio_itsticks_index.htm ''It Sticks Out Half A Mile'' episode guide]
*[https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/treasurehunt/sounds/clip0.shtml BBC Treasure Hunt page - with sound clip]

{{Dad's Army}}

[[Category:Dad's Army]]
[[Category:BBC Radio comedy programmes]]
[[Category:Lost BBC episodes]]