No Bananas (1996) (Episode 1)

Part 1 of 10 of the 1996 wartime drama. It's 1939 and the threat of war is very real for Britain. But for some families, everyday life is complicated enough already. Such as Harry Slater, who has signed up for the army and whose girlfriend Kaye Bentley is eager for him to marry her in case war is declared. But Harry has a surprise for both her and his family and it comes in the shape of Mary Hamilton, whose upper class family is none too pleased when she announces that she is engaged to be married to Harry - not that she knows about Harry's girlfriend Kaye, however. And it is not the only surprise that the working class Slater family face when black sheep of the family Tommy returns home after time in prison. His father Tom is none too pleased to see him, but when Tommy slips back into his old ways he risks getting his younger brother Clifford involved too. Starring Alison Steadman, Michael Elwyn, Rachel Power, Tim Matthews, Stephanie Beacham, Michael Byrne, Paloma Baeza, Tom Bell, Edna Dore, Linda Bassett, Dorian Healy, Dominic Rowan, Gregor Trutor, Paul Williams, Ryan Davnport and Rachel Pickup among the main cast, with appearances by Elaine Donnelly, Christopher Crooks, Eileen O'Brien, Peter McNamara, Sariel Hestletine, Alan Ford, Christopher Driscoll and Sacha Craise. This is a series that was originally broadcast for the 51st anniversary of VE Day on May 5th 1996 and one I originally intended to upload to mark the 80th anniversary this year. This is from an old recording, so apologies in advance for any glitches there may be, but this series has never been repeated since it's broadcast. It is helped by a number of star names, plus early roles for Paloma Baeza and Rachel Pickup (daughter of Ronald). I hope you enjoy this.