Hardest "The Army Game" Trivia Quiz | Television

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Alfie Bass played Private Bisley, known as "Bootsie". Why was he called that?

Answer: Because he was excused boots

"Bootsie" got his nickname because he was excused boots because of his flat feet. Instead he wore plimsolls, a fact that always infuriated his Sergeant Major.

Alfie Bass appeared in many films and television series, including "The Lavender Hill Mob", "Till Death Do Us Part", "Minder" and "Are You Being Served".

2. The conscripts were all in which Army Department?

Answer: Surplus Ordnance Department

They were all based at the Surplus Ordnance Department on an army base somewhere in Staffordshire. Their sole job was to guard the ordnance to ensure it wasn't stolen. This left them with a lot of time on their hands to get into trouble and think up ways to avoid doing the little work they did have.

3. During the series run, there were two Sergeant Majors. Bill Fraser played one of them. Who played the other?

Answer: William Hartnell

William Hartnell played Sergeant Major Bullimore in series one, two and five. Bill Fraser was Sergeant Major Snudge for the latter half of series two through series three and four. William Hartnell went on to play the first Doctor Who.

4. The theme tune was sung by cast members Michael Medwin, Alfie Bass and which other person, who also had a hit record in his own right?

Answer: Bernard Bresslaw

Bernard Bresslaw played Private Popplewell, who was rather slow of thought. In 1958 he released a single, "Mad Passionate Love", sung in the style of Popplewell. The B side was "You Need Feet", a parody of the Max Bygraves single "You Need Hands". Like others from "The Army Game", he went on to appear in many of the "Carry On" films.

5. Who appeared as the cheerful cockney Corporal 'Flogger' Hoskins, a persona he employed in other television series and films?

Answer: Harry Fowler

Harry Fowler appeared from series three through to series five as Corporal Hoskins. He used the cheerful cockney character in various other films and television parts, including in "Angels One Five", "Dixon of Dock Green" and "The Bill".

6. Who created "The Army Game"?

Answer: Sid Colin

Sid Colin created "The Army Game" after being inspired by the film "Privates Progress". Although it was a comedy, there was a degree of realism to it as many of the cast and writers had only just finished military service themselves. Over the years, writers included Barry Took, Marty Feldman and John Junkin.

7. The comedian who played Private Catchpole in the last series of "The Army Game" went on to be better known for his own long running series. Who was he?

Answer: Dick Emery

Dick Emery only appeared in the very last series, but it led to him being offered a contract with the BBC and his own series, "The Dick Emery Show". This was so popular it ran from 1963 to 1981 and created some unforgettable characters, such as Mandy with her catchphrase, "Ooh, you are awful, but I like you".

There was a certain irony to Dick Emery appearing in "The Army Game" as he had served time in a military prison for desertion.

8. Geoffrey Sumner played the long suffering Major Upshot-Bagley. However, in series two another actor took this role for some episodes. Who was he?

Answer: Jack Allen

Jack Allen was better known as a film and theatre actor. He was in "The Four Feathers" as Lieutenant Willoughby, as well as "Jack The Ripper" and "The Sound Barrier". Theatre was his main love though and he had a long career on the stage, starting in 1931 at the Liverpool Playhouse and ending in 1980 at the Old Vic.

9. Keith Smith played Private "Professor" Hatchett in some episodes of series two. Which far better known actor played him for all of series one and most of series two?

Answer: Charles Hawtrey

Charles Hawtrey was one of several actors in "The Army Game" who went on to gain great fame in the "Carry On" films. His television career began in "The Army Game", although he had appeared in several stage plays and on radio prior to this. He had also had a successful musical career as a boy soprano.

10. Who played Private "Cupcake" Cook?

Answer: Norman Rossington

"The Army Game" proved to be Norman Rossington's big break. He went on to appear in several "Carry On" films as well as The Beatles film, "A Hard Day's Night". He was the only person to appear in both a Beatles film and an Elvis Presley film; he had a small part in "Double Trouble".

Source: Author Christinap

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor guitargoddess before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

"The Army Game" Trivia Quiz

"The Army Game" was a British sitcom about National Service conscripts in post war Britain. It made household names of many of the people who appeared in it.

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>