The Fourth Arm (TV series)
Encyclopedia
The Fourth Arm is a British television
series produced by the BBC
in 1983.
The twelve-part serial dealt with secret agents parachuted into occupied Europe
during the Second World War, following their progress through initial recruitment and training, and finally their first mission in enemy territory.
The Fourth Arm was created and produced by Gerard Glaister
, who had previously been at the helm of other World War II dramas such as Colditz
and Secret Army
. The serial starred former Secret Army cast member Paul Shelley
as Major Hugh Gallagher, essentially a reprise of his Secret Army character, Major Nick Bradley, in all but name.
British television
Public television broadcasting started in the United Kingdom in 1936, and now has a collection of free and subscription services over a variety of distribution media, through which there are over 480 channelsTaking the base Sky EPG TV Channels. A breakdown is impossible due to a) the number of...
series produced by the BBC
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...
in 1983.
The twelve-part serial dealt with secret agents parachuted into occupied Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
during the Second World War, following their progress through initial recruitment and training, and finally their first mission in enemy territory.
The Fourth Arm was created and produced by Gerard Glaister
Gerard Glaister
John Leslie "Gerard" Glaister DFC, was a British television producer and director best known for his work with the BBC. Amongst his most notable successes as a TV producer were Colditz, The Brothers, Secret Army and Howards' Way.After studying at RADA, Glaister made his West End debut in 1939...
, who had previously been at the helm of other World War II dramas such as Colditz
Colditz (TV series)
Colditz is a British television series co-produced by the BBC and Universal Studios and screened between 1972 and 1974.The series deals with Allied prisoners of war imprisoned at the supposedly escape-proof Colditz Castle when designated Oflag IV-C during World War II, and their many attempts to...
and Secret Army
Secret Army (TV series)
Secret Army is a television drama series made by the BBC and the Belgian national broadcaster BRT created by Gerard Glaister. The series chronicled the history of a Belgian resistance movement during the Second World War dedicated to returning Allied airmen, usually having been shot down by the...
. The serial starred former Secret Army cast member Paul Shelley
Paul Shelley
Paul Shelley is an English actor.Shelley trained at RADA and has mainly worked in the theatre as a classical actor...
as Major Hugh Gallagher, essentially a reprise of his Secret Army character, Major Nick Bradley, in all but name.