The eighth and final series of Jimmy Perry and David Croft's wartime comedy set in India got off to a cracking start with this episode. The Japs have got our heroes pinned down, and they have not eaten for nearly a week. A radio request for help goes ignored - the troops have got better things to do than come to the aid of a concert party. 'Ah Syn' ( Andy Ho ), the cook, and 'Char Wallah' ( Dino Shafeek ) share out what is left of the grub - a few sardines and some beans. Then Mohammad remembers seeing a tree bearing eight coconuts. 'Gunner Graham' ( John Clegg ) suggests they blow it down with a thunder-flash as they do not have a saw. This is done, but the tree remains erect. Then the coconuts fall, and one hits 'Gloria' ( Melyn Hayes ) on the head. When he regains consciousness some time later, all trace of his camp persona has vanished, and he is ready to wipe out the Japs with his bare hands...
Hayes is at his best here. Barking commands through gritted teeth, pulling rank, and firing machine guns into the air, it is as though he has turned into Richard Harris in 'The Long & The Short & The Tall' ( 1960 ). The platoon don't quite know what to make of the change in their Bombardier, a man who normally faints at the sight of a cut finger. 'B.S.M. Williams' ( Windsor Davies ) suddenly finds he has a soul mate in the regiment, and together they go off to save the day. Of course the change is not permanent one, but you almost find yourself wishing it was.
Funniest moment - the Brigadier ( Dennis Ramsden ) pins a medal on Gloria's chest. But he has reverted back to his old effeminate self and the pain from the sharp pin causes him to faint!
Hayes is at his best here. Barking commands through gritted teeth, pulling rank, and firing machine guns into the air, it is as though he has turned into Richard Harris in 'The Long & The Short & The Tall' ( 1960 ). The platoon don't quite know what to make of the change in their Bombardier, a man who normally faints at the sight of a cut finger. 'B.S.M. Williams' ( Windsor Davies ) suddenly finds he has a soul mate in the regiment, and together they go off to save the day. Of course the change is not permanent one, but you almost find yourself wishing it was.
Funniest moment - the Brigadier ( Dennis Ramsden ) pins a medal on Gloria's chest. But he has reverted back to his old effeminate self and the pain from the sharp pin causes him to faint!
