‘THE INSPECTOR CALLS’

Please feel free to comment on my review.

‘The Inspector Calls’ is the season finale to Series 1 of ‘It Ain’t Half Hot Mum’. It’s a decent finale, but not anything spectacular. I think it would’ve worked better if Series 1 ended with an episode like ‘The Road to Bannu’. At least it’d be memorable and not situated in the same Deolali depot location.

In the episode, the Sgt-Major continues to be annoyed that the Concert Party doesn’t act like ‘real’ soldiers. The Sgt-Major is rather mean to the Concert Party, especially when forcing them to stand outside in the hot weather and not giving the order to fall out. It is rather mean-spirited of him here.

Colonel Reynolds however explains to the Sgt-Major that, as a holding unit, the Concert Party aren’t obliged to wear identical uniforms on duty. The Sgt-Major attempts to trick Solly and the Concert Party into providing the company with uniforms on the pretext that they do a military song number.

The Sgt-Major manages to win with this approach for a bit, but soon a general suddenly turns up to inspect the depot and the soldiers on the premises. Jeffrey Segal guest stars as the general who comes to inspect the depot. Jeffrey Segal has had a share of TV comedies, including ‘Dad’s Army’. 😀

He was in the episodes ‘Round and Round Went the Great Big Wheel’ and ‘The Making of Private Pike’. He’s also been in the ‘Fawlty Towers’ episode ‘Gourmet Night’. I’ve also seen Jeffrey Segal in 1973’s ‘Alice Through The Looking Glass’ with Sarah Sutton and 1977’s ‘The Phoenix and the Carpet’.

It was funny when the Concert Party arrived at the parade ground in their uniforms, but they’re rubbish at presenting arms. Clearly the Sgt-Major didn’t think this through when he tricked the Concert Party into wearing the same uniforms. Nor did Colonel Reynolds and Captain Ashwood here!

Thankfully, the Concert Party are provided with music, as Rangi Ram sings a song for them in the style that Gunner Graham provided when playing the piano for the musical number they initially intended for the Sgt-Major. The general is impressed by their rhythmic performance, which is nice. 🙂

The Sgt-Major must feel that he’s been thwarted again, as he doesn’t get to achieve his ambition to make soldiers out of the Concert Party here. Interesting the Sgt-Major is more soldier-like compared to Reynolds and Ashwood. They’re far more lenient to the Concert Party compared to the Sgt-Major.

‘The Inspector Calls’ rating – 7/10