Down the Line: a Secret Army podcast

Christmas Special 2023

In a special Christmas episode Andy takes up the editing reins for a change and guides Saint Nicholas's festive sleigh as he and AJ celebrate Secret Army and this podcast with a little help from Albert, Monique, Natalie. Max and a group of Belgian orphans.
As well as reflecting on what they have learned through collaborating and creating together, there's also a fiendish quiz and some entirely reliable Belgian Christmas facts.  
There's also a tale of a French Christmas past from AJ and a snowy Swedish train journey fromAndy. All this and a Secret Army Christmas song that is much less lost than was thought. 
We wish you all a very happy holiday season!
Down the Line will return on 6 January 2024.
Next Time: Lost Sheep

An interview with Angela Richards (Monique Duchamps)

This week AJ interviews Angela Richards who played Monique Duchamps in all three series of Secret Army. Rather than covering her time on Secret Army (as discussed in Andy's 2020 interview with her for his UK TV Drama Podcast - see link below) AJ covers brand new ground with the supremely talented actress and singer. 
Music: For All Our Yesterdays written and performed by Angela Richards
Andy's interview with Angela: (https://soundcloud.com/azuktvdrama/19b-interview-with-angela-richards) 
You can purchase 'An Evening at Le Candide' (Angela's songs from Secret Army including 'For All Our Yesterdays') on CD here (part proceeds go to Angela): http://classictvpress.co.uk/secretarmymusic.htm 
If you would like to donate to Angela's chosen charity visit: http://pdsa.org.uk (donate button in top right hand corner) or phone: 0800 9172509 (lines open 9 to 5 Monday toFriday). When donating quote 'Angela Richards - Secret Army podcast'. 
And don't forget to follow us on social media:Twitter/Instagram: @secretarmypod
Thank you for listening.
AJ and Andy xxx
Next Time: A festive special on Christmas Day!

Episode 6: Growing Up

This time AJ and Andy review Growing Up - the very first episode of Secret Army to go before the cameras back in April 1977. It tells the story of a young Belgian boy - Jean-Paul Dornes played by Max Harris - who discovers and assists a downed airman - Sgt Clfford Howson played by Norman Eshley - with tragic consequences.
Once again the Lifeline regulars (in AJ's head 'The Baker Street Irregulars') are somewhat sidelined as the episode takes a 'Play for Today'-style focus centred around the Dornes family and their small mining town existence which, despite Anna Dornes' naive convictions, cannot escape the war. 
They find much to enjoy in the episode: particularly the performances of Max Harris and Brian Glover, and its careful treatment of grief and bereavement. If anyone listening is currently dealing with bereavement you might choose to skip AJ's recollections of dark times in their life which the episode prompted them to revisit. 
Andy is surprised to find Vivien Merchant and Stanley Lebor among the supporting cast, playing the wonderfully named Mademoiselle Gunet (the teacher) and Pierre Bazin (the shopkeeper) respectively. 
Elsewhere, it falls to Ryan to call out Kessler for his unfair treatment of Brandt, Andy reveals a more significant role for Natalie in the original script, and AJ demands that the production team 'give that woman a hair bobble'!
As the episode draws to a close we hear from Simon Jones who selects a possibly surprising favourite regular character. 
Next Time: Lost Sheep

Episode 5: Second Chance

Today the Down the Line team review the episode that Andy always describes as the start of Secret Army proper: Second Chance. Although it introduces yet more new characters: Hans and Lena, the story has our Lifeline regulars more centre stage and we finally hear Monique sing. It's a tightly plotted piece with a weighty moral dilemma at its absorbing and memorable conclusion.
Elsewhere AJ is disappointed by Rear Gunner Eric Finch's northern-ness and both they and Andy are infuriated by Curtis's sexism. They also have to cause question once again who exactly is the series lead? Is it Lisa, who like her historical counterpart ran the line, or is it Albert? 
Also, AJ is critical of sling technique and, unlike Hans, very pleased not to have taken their name from a gravestone, while Andy wonders why neither of them received invites to the Manon Wedding Party. Both are surprised to discover that Monique has a flat, although they note that it is nothing like as fancy as Natalie's apartment later in the series. What has Natalie been up to?
At the end of the episode we hear from musician Kate Garner @KateGarnerMusic (the daughter of Chas from Chas & Dave - yes really!) who consider the first series to be her sweet spot. 
Next Time: Growing Up
 

Episode 4: Child’s Play

We've reached episode 4 of the first series and Arden Winch's Child's Play. While AJ has beef with Mr Winch, Andy struggles to believe this is directed by Viktors Ritelis. Although both agree that this is not the best episode of Secret Army, due to the sheer amount of exposition and the fact that it takes place down the line away from most of the Lifeline regulars, they still find things to enjoy here: the Chantal sisters for instance and the climactic scenes towards the end of the episode. 
Elswehere, Ryan finds the episode to be much better than he imagined and regular contributor Alex Wilcock makes some excellent observations.
Some of the real life heroes of the Comete Line are examined as we delve into the events that inspired this and other episodes including the fearless Tante Go and basque guide Fiorentino.
If you would like to get involved in the podcast, get in touch at @secretarmypod on Twitter or secretarmypod@gmail.com.
Next Time... Episode 5: Second Chance

Episode 3: Radishes with Butter

This week AJ and Andy tackle the third episode of Secret Army's first series: Radishes with Butter, written by John Brason and directed by Paul Annett. 
It chiefly deals with the Final Solution: the deportation of Jews from Brussels to death camps, via the story of one family - the Schliemanns - who Curtis wants Lifeline to help even though Lisa insists that they cannot get involved.
At Gestapo HQ Brandt and Kessler lock horns over Nazi coffee and some bourbon biscuits, while courtesy of Gaston and his friends we discover that bankers can be the good guys sometimes!
Elsewhere Andy has memories of the late Michael Burrell who played Schliemann and Jan Francis who has never forgotten that rooftop kiss!
First-time watcher Ryan wants to know whether he is meant to like Curtis, while Alex Willcock just outright calls him a dick. Andy and AJ are similarly unimpressed.
The episode ends with memories from Maria Leel who recalls tuning in to Secret Army from the start the first time around and then binge-watching it again when the series was first released on DVD. 
All this and a description of Front Axial Projection!
If you would like to get involved in the podcast, get in touch at @secretarmypod on Twitter or secretarmypod@gmail.com.
Next Time... Episode 4: Child's Play

Episode 2: Sergeant on the Run

This week AJ and Andy explore the filmic second episode of Secret Army: Sergeant on the Run. This leads them to consider the unique directorial style of Latvian-born Viktors Ritelis with his penchant for metaphor and stark European realism. They also discuss how this episode might have placed better later in the run due to its focus on a guest character - Sergeant Walker played by Martin Burrows - as opposed to the series regulars, some of whom we are still being introduced to, such as cycle shop owner Jacques Bol.
AJ prompts Andy to considers why gay men might be drawn to the series female characters and also wonders if the relationship between Albert and Monique might have only been a 'night-time encounter' had it not been for the war.
Andy also reads from, series advisor, Bill Randle's account of his wartime evasion adventures in Brussels which directly inspired some of Sergeant Walker's scenes in this episode. 
The episode ends with nostalgic reflections from Secret Army fan Joanne Lee who remembers watching the series while at school in Brussels. 
If you would like to get involved in the podcast, get in touch at @secretarmypod on Twitter or secretarmypod@gmail.com.
Next Time... Episode 3: Radishes with Butter

An interview with Austin Ruddy (principal designer of Secret Army)

In this special bonus interview AJ speaks with Secret Army's principal designer Austin Ruddy who created all the key sets for the series including all the Candide interiors, the German offices at the Avenue Louise, and the Colbert family home.  Ruddy describes how he became a TV production designer and his memories of working on Secret Army.
If you enjoyed this bonus episode you might like to donate to Austin Ruddy's chosen charity: The Salvation Army food bank in Ripon, Yorkshire: https://www.givefood.org.uk/needs/at/salvation-army/ripon/ (or: https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/ripon)

Episode 1: Lisa - Code Name Yvette

This week your hosts, AJ and Andy, talk a little more about the inception of the series, specifically the contribution of creator (uncredited) and producer Gerard (Gerry) Glaister) and script editor and writer John Brason, as well as reviewing the first episode: Lisa - Code Name Yvette, written by Willis Hall and directed by Kenneth Ives. 
Hall had the unenviable task of writing an opening instalment that had to introduce a huge number of characters as well as setting the scene for the style and approach of the series. Was he successful? Or was it an impossible task? 
We also hear from Ryan as he watches Secret Army for the very first time.
Don't miss AJ's interview with Secret Army's principal designer Austin Ruddy, also published today.
If you would like to get involved in the podcast, get in touch at @secretarmypod on Twitter or secretarmypod@gmail.com.
Next Time... Episode 2: Sergeant on the Run

An introduction to Down the Line: a Secret Army podcast

Introducing 'Down the Line' a new podcast exploring, reviewing and celebrating the classic BBC wartime series Secret Army.
In this special introductory episode your hosts, Andy and AJ describe what their new podcast will include and why they love Secret Army. 
New episodes will be available every 2 weeks and will explore every instalment in depth. Along the way there will be bonus interviews with cast and crew members too!
If you would like to get involved, get in touch at @secretarmypod on Twitter or secretarmypod@gmail.com.
Next Time... Episode 1: Lisa - Code Name Yvette