In 80's tv dominated by mega bucks and shoulder pad soaps, this pulp inspired series was like a breath of fresh air. It was set in the South Pacific in the late thirties on a fictional chain of islands split between the French and the Japanese. The "Gold Monkey" was a bar run by the sophisticated and well dodgy "Bon Chance" Louie. Played by Roddy McDowall (apart from pilot episode), he was a former member of the French Foreign Legion and inmate of Devil's Island. Other colourful characters included Jake Cutter, pilot of the Goose flying boat, and his alcoholic co-pilot Corky. His other side-kick was a one-eyed dog who appeared to understand several languages. Love interest was provided for Jake in the form of Sarah - torch singer and American spy. Another spy was Rev. Tenboom who worked for the Nazis, but had more interest in the local maidens than his German masters. The Eurasian Princess Koji was a villain in the classic "Dragon Lady" mode who had an army that appeared to be from another century, including a samurai called Todo.

If unashamed escapism is your thing, you could do a lot worse than check out this excellent piece of tongue in cheek adventure.
Messin' About Fan.

This was a sequel to "The Army Game". Mortal enemies "Excused Boots"Bisley and Sgt.Major Snudge find themselves demobbed and not only working at the same gentlemen's club, but sharing a room as live-in staff. This suffers from a smaller cast and a rather claustrophobic setting but, as I remember it, it had it's moments. Interestingly, it also starred a comparitively young Clive Dunn, as a dotty old soldier - obviously the prototype for his Dad's army character.