The Navy Lark, 14 The Smuggling Spy

Mar 14, 2025 10:29 PM

Author:BBC,Laurie Wyman,George Evans,Leslie Phillips,Stephen Murray,Jon Pertwee

The Navy Lark, one of radio's longest running laughter-makers, kept the nation on the crest of a comic wave from 1959 to 1977.All at sea in the Senior Service were conniving Petty Officer Jon Pertwee, silly-ass Sub-Lieutenant Leslie Phillips, and the constantly bemused Stephen Murray as 'Number One'. Below decks Ronnie Barker was just about working his passage as (Un)Able Seaman 'Fatso' Johnson.

So climb aboard and join the merry crew in these four classic capers: The Smuggling Spy, A Crisp Romance, Pertwee Posted to Portsmouth, and Tug-of-War.

Don't miss any of the episodes of The Navy Lark.

Reviews

A rare book: a genuinely frank and self-revealing account of an actor's nightmare made real. Comic and even touching

—— Sir Richard Eyre

The tale is breathless... works up a gallop

—— Observer

Captivating...full of knowledge...suffused with Parisian sensations...he can choose words that make us feel and hear the instruments he plays...when you close it you feel you have been on holiday

—— Sunday Times

Charming...a cool, autumnal breeze of a book...written out of love

—— Guardian

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