Associated-Rediffusion produced this land-based TV version (with a different cast and characters) of the long-running BBC radio series The Navy Lark, also written by Lawrie Wyman.
Set on the (fictitious) island of Boonsey off Portland on the Dorset coast of England, the Royal Naval base HMS Osprey is known as “HMS Paradise” because it is the softest billet in the Navy.
The commanding officer, Commander Fairweather (Frank Thornton), is a peaceable character more interested in fishing than in discipline.
A regular visitor to the island is Captain Turvey (Richard Caldicot) whose seniority makes him a victim of the crew’s misdemeanours.
Fairweather’s “Number One” is Lieutenant Pouter (Robin Hunter).
Priscilla Morgan played Amanda the WREN who combined typing and switchboard duties with keeping an eye on Pouter and his romantic attachments.
Guest stars included Stanley Unwin, Clive Dunn, Patrick Troughton, Wendy Richard, John Bluthal, Pat Coombs, and Ernest Clark. Exterior scenes for the series were filmed at Portland and Portsmouth with full cooperation from the Royal Navy.
Commander Fairweather
Frank Thornton Lieutenant Pouter
Robin Hunter Captain Turvey
Richard Caldicot CPO Banyard
Ronald Radd Able Seaman Murdoch
Angus Lennie Amanda
Priscilla Morgan Commander Shaw
Graham Crowden Mrs Turvey
Ambrosine Phillpotts Admiral
Cameron Hall
