It's That Man Again
Encyclopedia
It's That Man Again was a BBC
radio comedy
programme which ran from 1939 to 1949. The title was a contemporary phrase referring to ever more frequent news-stories about Hitler
in the lead-up to World War II
, and specifically a headline in the Daily Express
written by Bert Gunn
. This was humorously transferred to Tommy Handley
, the popular comedian around whom the programme was developed. The scripts were written by the prolific Ted Kavanagh
. "ITMA" is believed to have played a major role in sustaining morale on the UK's 'home front
' during the Second World War.
The show was broadcast from the BBC Wales
studios in Bangor
, Caernarvonshire, north Wales
, where the BBC's Light Entertainment Department was based during World War II.
Other performers included Jack Train
, a master of voices; Clarence Wright, who played the commercial traveller and the man from the ministry; Deryck Guyler
, Hattie Jacques
, who played Sophie Tuckshop (the earliest of Jacques' roles dependent upon her physical size) and Joan Harben (sister of Philip Harben
) as Mona Lott. The programme featured dozens of other characters, such as Mrs Mopp and Colonel Chinstrap. The speed at which the performances were delivered is still considered remarkable, even given later technical developments. Many gags were dependent on breaking news - Ted Kavanagh once admitted to being unable to understand some jokes in earlier scripts.
Some years later, Train reprised the role of Colonel Chinstrap for a couple of guest appearances on The Goon Show
including the episode "Shifting Sands". Train would recount how the character was created. Shortly before the show started he was in the office of senior announcer John Snagge having a chat when the door opened and a slightly bleary-eyed gentleman entered. They were introduced, the man being a retired Indian army officer. He then turned to Snagge and said, ‘John. I have just done the most marvellous piece of business. I’ve bought a water-heater on ten year’s hire-purchase and what the gas company doesn’t know is I am drinking myself to death’.
Train, along with scriptwriter Kavanagh, developed this into Colonel Chinstrap. The officer on whom Chinstrap was based heard the programme and reputedly totally failed to connect the character with himself but commented: ‘Wonderful character. I knew silly buggers like that in India’.
Then, nine years and five months after the first meeting, Train received a telegram saying: THE COLONEL BEAT THE GAS COMPANY BY SEVEN MONTHS SNAGGE.
ITMA ran for over 300 episodes between 1939 and 1949. When Handley died from a sudden stroke, announced immediately after the usual second repeat, it was cancelled because he was considered irreplaceable as its star.
Mrs Mopp is referenced in the Kinks
song "The Village Green Preservation Society" from their 1968 album The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society
.
.
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
radio comedy
Radio comedy
Radio comedy, or comedic radio programming, is a radio broadcast that may involve sitcom elements, sketches and various types of comedy found on other media. It may also include more surreal or fantastic elements, as these can be conveyed on a small budget with just a few sound effects or some...
programme which ran from 1939 to 1949. The title was a contemporary phrase referring to ever more frequent news-stories about Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
in the lead-up to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and specifically a headline in the Daily Express
Daily Express
The Daily Express switched from broadsheet to tabloid in 1977 and was bought by the construction company Trafalgar House in the same year. Its publishing company, Beaverbrook Newspapers, was renamed Express Newspapers...
written by Bert Gunn
Bert Gunn
Herbert Smith "Bert" Gunn was a British newspaper editor.Born in Gravesend, Gunn worked as a reporter for the Kent Messenger, and then the Straits Times in Singapore. He returned to the UK to work at the Manchester Evening News, then the London Evening News and the Evening Standard...
. This was humorously transferred to Tommy Handley
Tommy Handley
Thomas Reginald "Tommy" Handley was a British comedian, mainly known for the BBC radio programme ITMA . He was born at Toxteth Park, Liverpool in Lancashire....
, the popular comedian around whom the programme was developed. The scripts were written by the prolific Ted Kavanagh
Ted Kavanagh
Ted Kavanagh was a British radio scriptwriter and producer.Initially a medical student in Edinburgh, Kavanagh switched to a career as a writer...
. "ITMA" is believed to have played a major role in sustaining morale on the UK's 'home front
Home front during World War II
The home front covers the activities of the civilians in a nation at war. World War II was a total war; homeland production became even more invaluable to both the Allied and Axis powers. Life on the home front during World War II was a significant part of the war effort for all participants and...
' during the Second World War.
The show was broadcast from the BBC Wales
BBC Wales
BBC Cymru Wales is a division of the British Broadcasting Corporation for Wales. Based at Broadcasting House in the Llandaff area of Cardiff, it directly employs over 1200 people, and produces a broad range of television, radio and online services in both the Welsh and English languages.Outside...
studios in Bangor
Bangor, Gwynedd
Bangor is a city in Gwynedd, north west Wales, and one of the smallest cities in Britain. It is a university city with a population of 13,725 at the 2001 census, not including around 10,000 students at Bangor University. Including nearby Menai Bridge on Anglesey, which does not however form part of...
, Caernarvonshire, north Wales
North Wales
North Wales is the northernmost unofficial region of Wales. It is bordered to the south by the counties of Ceredigion and Powys in Mid Wales and to the east by the counties of Shropshire in the West Midlands and Cheshire in North West England...
, where the BBC's Light Entertainment Department was based during World War II.
Other performers included Jack Train
Jack Train
Jack Train was a British radio and film actor popular during the Second World War.Born in Plymouth, Train was on BBC radio in many productions, but his characters in the BBC series ITMA with Tommy Handley gave him fame...
, a master of voices; Clarence Wright, who played the commercial traveller and the man from the ministry; Deryck Guyler
Deryck Guyler
Deryck Guyler was an English actor, best known for his portrayal of officious, short-tempered middle-aged men in sitcoms such as Please Sir! and Sykes.-Early life:...
, Hattie Jacques
Hattie Jacques
Josephine Edwina Jaques was an English comedy actress, known as Hattie Jacques.Starting her career in the 1940s, Jacques first gained attention through her radio appearances with Tommy Handley on ITMA and later with Tony Hancock on Hancock's Half Hour...
, who played Sophie Tuckshop (the earliest of Jacques' roles dependent upon her physical size) and Joan Harben (sister of Philip Harben
Philip Harben
Philip Hubert Kendal Jerrold Harben was an English cook, recognised as the first TV celebrity chef.His mother, Mary Jerrold, was an actress famous as the murderous Martha Brewster in the first stage presentation of Arsenic and Old Lace as well as many screen roles. His father, Hubert Harben, was a...
) as Mona Lott. The programme featured dozens of other characters, such as Mrs Mopp and Colonel Chinstrap. The speed at which the performances were delivered is still considered remarkable, even given later technical developments. Many gags were dependent on breaking news - Ted Kavanagh once admitted to being unable to understand some jokes in earlier scripts.
Some years later, Train reprised the role of Colonel Chinstrap for a couple of guest appearances on The Goon Show
The Goon Show
The Goon Show was a British radio comedy programme, originally produced and broadcast by the BBC Home Service from 1951 to 1960, with occasional repeats on the BBC Light Programme...
including the episode "Shifting Sands". Train would recount how the character was created. Shortly before the show started he was in the office of senior announcer John Snagge having a chat when the door opened and a slightly bleary-eyed gentleman entered. They were introduced, the man being a retired Indian army officer. He then turned to Snagge and said, ‘John. I have just done the most marvellous piece of business. I’ve bought a water-heater on ten year’s hire-purchase and what the gas company doesn’t know is I am drinking myself to death’.
Train, along with scriptwriter Kavanagh, developed this into Colonel Chinstrap. The officer on whom Chinstrap was based heard the programme and reputedly totally failed to connect the character with himself but commented: ‘Wonderful character. I knew silly buggers like that in India’.
Then, nine years and five months after the first meeting, Train received a telegram saying: THE COLONEL BEAT THE GAS COMPANY BY SEVEN MONTHS SNAGGE.
ITMA ran for over 300 episodes between 1939 and 1949. When Handley died from a sudden stroke, announced immediately after the usual second repeat, it was cancelled because he was considered irreplaceable as its star.
Mrs Mopp is referenced in the Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
song "The Village Green Preservation Society" from their 1968 album The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society
The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society
The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society is the sixth studio album by the English rock group The Kinks, released in November 1968. It was the last album by the original quartet, as bassist Pete Quaife left the group in early 1969...
.
Film adaptation
In 1943 a film adaptation was made of the series also titled It's That Man AgainIt's That Man Again (film)
It's That Man Again is a 1943 British comedy film directed by Walter Forde and starring Tommy Handley, Greta Gynt and Jack Train. It was based on the successful radio show It's That Man Again. The mayor of a small town lends his assistance to some drama students.-Cast:* Tommy Handley ... Mayor...
.
Catchphrases
ITMA also became known for a number of catchphrases, some of which entered popular vocabulary.- "Don't forget the diver" - spoken by Horace Percival upon entrance and exit as a diver. This became a very popular catchphrase in Britain during World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
-
- This catchphrase was apparently inspired by a diver who solicited pennies on pier from seaside crowds, saying "Don't forget the diver sir. Every penny makes the water warmer".
- "I'm going down now sir" - Another diver catchphrase, which became widely used in descending lifts during the era of ITMA popularity.
- "This is Funf speaking" - German spy, spoken by Jack Train. This became a popular telephone catchphrase.
- "I don't mind if I do" - Colonel Humphrey Chinstrap's catchphrase, spoken by Jack Train, turning any remark into an offer of a drink. The origin of this catchphrase precedes ITMA, but was nevertheless popularised by ITMA.
- "Can I do you now, Sir?" - Spoken by Dorothy Summers as Mrs Mopp the office charCharladyA charlady, char or charwoman was an English house cleaner. The term has the same roots as "chore woman," one hired to do odd chores around the house. A char or chare was a turn in the sixteenth century, and which gave rise to prefix being used to denote people that worked in domestic situations...
. - "I go, I come back" - Middle Eastern vendor, Ali Oop. Spoken by Jack Train.
- "It's being so cheerful as keeps me going" - Mona Lott, a depressed laundry-woman played by Joan Harben.
- "Good morning, nice day" - commercial traveller about to offer some sales line.
- "After you, Claude - no, After you Cecil" - Moving men spoken by Jack Train and Horace Percival This phrase became used by RAFRoyal Air ForceThe Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
pilots as they queued for attack. - "I'll have to ask me Dad" - Mark Time (an elderly ditherer). This "was a political phrase introduced into ITMA when post-war reconstruction was looming. It was spoken by a Jack Train character, Mark Time, who responded to all questions with this phrase.
- "But I'm all right now" - Hattie Jacques' character Sophie Tuckshop, after describing a long list of food she had eaten.
- "TTFNTTFNTTFN is an initialism for a colloquial valediction, ta ta for now, based on 'ta ta', an informal 'goodbye', approximately equivalent to 'bye bye', 'see ya' or 'laters'...
(Ta ta for now)" - Spoken by Dorothy Summers' character, Mrs Mopp.
- This catchphrase was apparently inspired by a diver who solicited pennies on pier from seaside crowds, saying "Don't forget the diver sir. Every penny makes the water warmer".