MARIE BIRCH’S UNOFFICIAL
THE MEN FROM THE MINISTRY WEBSITE
I will briefly state, that: The Men From The Ministry Website, had definitely not, been our Website, in origin, and this is all, that is left of the details of the popular Radio Show, which ran for many years, about the bungles, which went on, in a Ministry Office, in the Fictional Whitehall, and probably, still go on, in the real Whitehall, for all, that we know! The credit for the original: The Men From The Ministry Website, had originally, been set up, by some students, at Cambridge University, which had eventually, closed down, during the Winter of 2008, unfortunately. But I have decided, NOT to let this Website, go to waste, on the Internet, because as far, as I know, there are no other: The Men From The Ministry Websites, available on the Internet. And more importantly: The Men From The Ministry Website, contains all, of the eleven series, Episode Guides, of every single one of: The Men From The Ministry Radio Show, that was aired on BBC Radio from 1962 to 1977.
In time, the original publicity photograph of: The Men From The Ministry, will be featured, on this Website, and I also intend, to include, the details of the new: BBC: The Men From The Ministry Cassette, which features, on this Website. And, I also intend to review and briefly summarise, the episodes off the tapes, when time allows, of course, and wherever possible, review, some of the episodes of the series, which we have listened to, on the radio, over the years, if I can remember them, that is! But I can also include, some Cast Profiles, of the main characters, of the Show, but I am afraid, that it will, take me, quite some considerable time, and a great deal, of considerable research. But the important thing is, the original: The Men From The Ministry Website is here, to stay, for good!
Thank you.
Marie Birch
So far, this is the only picture that I have got from the series, but as it was, on the original: The Men From The Ministry Website, anyway, it might as well go back, in it's rightful place! But for the moment, this is merely, just to test, the Web Link:
This wonderful show using bureaucracy as the basis for comedy ran from 1962 to 1977, and delighted audiences all around the globe, and is often quoted as being the 'first' Yes, Minister/Yes Prime Minister, although Jay (don't know his first name) and Jonathon Lynn took the civil service situation to far greater satirical and believable heights. Richard Murdoch starred as the number two in the General Assistants Department throughout it's 15 years, with Wilfred Hyde-White as the number one for the first two seasons, and Deryck Guyler from series three onwards. There were a total of eight series and they could boast Johnny Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor amongst the writers. Although not exactly satire, they were often topical, and gave the other end of comedy so much that was on the radio at the time, no quick fire gags, just a quaint look at the world that was disappearing in all places apart from Whitehall and the Civil Service. The BBC Radio Collection has released two double cassettes of the show, the first of which contains the following four episodes:
The Big Rocket
And I have also managed to sort out the episode details for the second cassette. They are as follows:
Bare Necessities
Series 1
Originally broadcast at 8.00p.m on the Light programme, it was repeated (2nd date) at 3.10p.m on the Home Service. The entire series was written and produced by Edward Taylor, and had a regular cast of Wilfred Hyde-White, Richard Murdoch, Roy Dotrice, Diana Olsen, Edwin Apps, David Graham, and Norma Ronald. 1. The Great Footwear Scandal 30/10/62 9/2/63 2. The Big Rocket 3. Strictly for the Birds 4. French Cricket 5. The War with the Isle of Wight 6. Moderately Important Person 7. The Rhubarb Pirates 8. A Matter of Form 9. The Magic Carpet 10. The Spy in Black and White 11. Island in the Sun 12. Problem in the Park 13. The End of the Road 22/1/63 1964 Christmas Special transmitted at 7.30p.m on 24th December 1964 (not repeated).
Series 2
The second series saw additional writers of Johnny Mortimer and Brian Cooke, however, Edward Taylor continued to produce the show. Hyde-White, Murdoch, Dotrice, Ronald and Graham stayed and were joined by Joan Sanderson. The shows were aired on Sundays at 9.00p.m, on the Light programme and repeated on the following Tuesdays at 8.00p.m on the Home Service. 1. Pirates of Lakeview Reservoir 25/7/65 2. Something about a Soldier 3 .The Trouble with Cecil 4. Mahboni Lies Over the Ocean 5. The Man Who made it Rain 6. Train of Events 7. Degrading Business 8. The Butcher of Glensporran 9. Counter Spies 10. A Question of Dundancy 11. A Back-dated Problem 12. The Hole 13. The Day the Martians Came 17/10/65
Series 3
This series saw the arrival of Deryck Guyler as number one, with Murdoch staying as number two, Ronald stayed, as did Graham, and they were joined by Ronald Baddiley. The writers remained the same as series 2 and Taylor still produced the show. The same arrangement of the broadcast on the Light programme (at 9.30p.m), followed by a repeat on the Home Service (at 7.00p.m) was used as well. 1. Rebel in Regents Park 11/12/66 3/4/66 2. A Terrifying Weapon 3. The Post Office Pantomime 4. All at Sea 5. Bowler Hats and Machine Guns 6. On the Run 7. A Gift for Sir Gregory 8. The Whitehall Circus 9. Customs of the Country 10. Getting the Bird 11. The Girl in the Case 12. The Thing on the Beach 13. A Slight Case of Demolition 14. The Fastest Ship in the World 12/3/67
Series 4
Apart from David Netthein joining the team, everything stayed the same for the fourth series with the programme going out on Radio 2, followed by a repeat on Radio 1 and 2 at around 8.00p.m. 1. Battle of the River Thames 18/2/68 19/2/68 2. The Tubby Submarine 3. A Matter of Breeding 4. The Great Showbiz Fiasco 5. Up the Poll 6. Waterway to Go 7. Dam Nuisance 8. The Fastest Brolly in the West 9. Lamb takes a Gambol 10. Four Men in a Wellington 11. Out of this World 12. Muddlers in Law 13. What has four Wheels and flies? 12/5/68
Series 5
This series saw some minor changes with Graham and Taylor writing, however the cast remained the same and the programmes were first aired on the World Service at 7.30p.m and later repeated on Radio 4 at the same time. 1. Bye-bye Mildred 15/3/70 30/6/70 2. Bare Necessities 3. Storm in a Teacup 4. The Moving Target 5. Oil Well that Ends Well 6. The Bigger the Better 7. Trouble in the Air 8. Miss Chatterly's Lover 9. The Pudding From Outer Space 10. A Little of what you Fancy 11. A Bird in the Hand 12. Bringing the House Down 13. Fair Exchange 14. Bill Stickers is Innocent 30/9/70
Series 6
The series continued in the same format , however there was a reduction in the number of shows. The programmes were still broadcast on Radio 4, this time on a Tuesday lunchtime (12.25p.m), and repeated on Thursday evenings at 6.15p.m. 1. The Conference Trick 11/7/72 2 .How Now Brown Cow? 3. Sorry, Wrong Number 4. The Desk Job 5. Foul Play 6. Something of Value 7. Taking Leave of their Census 29/8/72
Series 7
The number of shows returned to its regular 13, still with Graham and Taylor
writing and the transmission times of the previous series. 1. That's my Pigeon
6/3/73 2. Don't Let them Needle You 3. Find the Lady 4.
Bridge over Troubled Waters 5. A Private Affair 6. Food For Thought 7. Getting it Taped 8.
Safe and Unsound 9. The Expert Caper
10. Flushed with Success 11. Under
the Weather 12. Monkey Business 13. Cheesed Off
Series 8
The series was broadcast on Radio 4 at 6.15p.m on Monday nights, with a
repeat on Wednesdays. 1. Plane Madness
Series 9
Broadcast on Radio 4 at 6.15p.m and repeated on the same channel, the series
format and cast stayed the same as previously. 1. Nothing but the Vest 26/5/75
5/10/75 2. That's My Boy 3. All that Glitters 4. Torn to Shreds 5. Wool Over Their
Eyes 6. This, VAT and the Other 7. The
Great Trouser Troubles 8. The Cabinet Crisis 9.
Chain Reaction 10. All Change 11. A
Merry Dance 12. A Sense of Power 13. Postal
Disorder
Series 10
By now the series was nearing the end and the run was reduced to 8 shows for
this and the last series. The cast remained the same and Graham and Taylor
continued to write. The format of broadcasting at 6.15p.m and a repeat later in
the week around lunchtime was retained, with all shows going out on Radio 4. 1.
All Cisterns Go
Series 11
The last series went out just like the previous series, with the repeat
later in the week and all on Radio 4. 1.
I have decided to set up, a Website, for the Plot Summaries of the Scripts, for: The Men From The Ministry Episodes, which I can recall to hand, but they will, mainly be, from the BBC Audio Cassettes, of the series. So for now, please go to:
The Men From The Ministry Plot Summaries of the Scripts by Marie Birch
To go back, to the First Part, of my Main
Website: Marie Birch's General Information and Classic British Comedy Website:
Part One, then please go to:
Marie Birch's General Information and British Comedy Website: Part One
To go back, to the Second Part, of my Main Website: Marie Birch's General Information and Classic British Comedy Website: Part Two, then please go to:
Marie Birch's General Information and Classic British Comedy Website: Part Two
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NOVEMBER 2008
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