The Navy Lark

The Navy Lark

The Navy Lark was a much loved and long running (from 1959 to 1975) show set in the ranks of the Royal Navy. Starring Lesley Phillips, Jon Pertwee and Stephen Murray (replacing Dennis Price after the first series), The Navy Lark was loosely based on Pertwee's own experiences of serving in the Navy.

Set in and around Portsmouth and on the HMS Troutbridge, The Navy Lark poked fun at all ranks of the Navy and -- most of all -- at the Admirality [sic] itself. It featured a number of recurring characters, most notably Able Seaman “Fatso” Johnson, CPO Pertwee's hapless dogsbody, who was played by the great Ronnie Barker.

Catchphrases abound, including Lt. Phillip's “left hand down a bit” when he was (supposedly) navigating Troutbridge and CPO Pertwee's screamed “everybody down” in response.

There were three spin-off radio shows: The TV Lark, The Embassy Lark and The Big Business Lark (though, only the former featured the original cast), as well as a film.

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The Navy Lark Intro | The TV Lark Intro