'Allo 'Allo Episode Guide version 2.4 by Mark Thompson (marktv.org) with lots of help and detective work from: Jeff Peck (peck@dickinson.edu) Jerry Grefenstette (SamNHisDog@aol.com) and further assistance from: Moray Nichols (moray@gumdrops.demon.co.uk) Anthony Brown (abrowne@cix.compulink.co.uk) Don Hearth (hearth@netcom.netcom.com) Keith Wickham (kwickham@intonet.co.uk) 'Allo 'Allo (BBC, Fall 1984 - 1992, color, 30 mins. (mostly)) A hilarious British sitcom by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft - their (IMHO) best and longest running. Only the first 5 seasons (known in Britain as "series", and henceforth referred to in that way) were circulated in America prior to 1994, so that's all I personally have seen. This episode guide will be updated as more information becomes available from the later series. 'Allo 'Allo is one of the relatively few "continuous sitcoms" ever produced. It is a show where plot elements develop from episode to episode and even from series to series. Series cliffhangers, personality developments, and continuing plot points practically require 'Allo 'Allo to be watched in sequence, a point which is not true of most other sitcoms, where episodes are fairly interchangeable. While other sitcoms may deal peripherally with continuity (characters may be "written out" of the show, for instance), few have developing plotlines throughout a series , like the "Hitler's Painting In a Sausage" plot, or any of the various Escape Plans for the Airmen. The episode titles in this guide are my own (no real titles are available). Apparently, even "fan-invented" episode titles don't currently exist. This is an attempt to start some titles so we can talk intelligently about the show. A gentleman from the UK by the name of Anthony Brown (abrowne@cix.compulink.co.uk) was kind enough to supply the count of the number of episodes in each series used to start this guide. The list is below, having since been further augmented. He's also supplied the original air dates of the episodes, shown below, as well as a summary of some of the plot elements from memory of Series 6-9. Some further episode counts have been added and corrected by Stephen Dawson and Jerry G. Further airdate information, along with airtimes, was provided by Keith Wickham. Much information, including all summaries, of series 6-9 was provided by Jeff Peck and Jerry G. 'Allo 'Allo ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pilot 1 episode (Thurs 30 Dec 1982, then rerun 7 Sep 84 as part of Season 1. Rerun again 25 Dec 90 as part of Christmas Day Classic Comedy) Series 1 7 more eps (run: 14 Sep 84 - 26 Oct 84; repeated summer 85) Series 2 6 eps (run: 21 Oct 85 - 25 Nov 85; repeated summer 86) Christmas Special (run: 26 Dec 85 (7:40 pm); rpt 22 Dec 87) Series 3 6 eps (run: 5 Dec 86 - 9 Jan 87; rpt 12 Sep 87 - 17 Oct 87) Series 4 6 eps (run: 7 Nov 87 - 12 Dec 87; rpt 19 Jun 88 - 24 Jul 88) Series 5 26 eps (run: 3 Sep 88 - 25 Feb 89; rpt Jan-Aug 90 (see note)) Series 6 * 8 eps (run: 2 Sep 89 - 21 Oct 89; rpt 3 Sep 90 - 22 Oct 90) Series 7 10 eps (run: 5 Jan 91 - 16 Mar 91; rpt 5 Sep 91 - 7 Nov 91) Christmas Special 2 (run: 24 Dec 91; not rptd) - 45 min "pilot" for Ser. 8 Series 8 7 eps (run: 5 Jan 92 - 1 Mar 92; rpt 8 Jun 92 - 10 Aug 92) Series 9 6 eps (run: 9 Nov 92 - 14 Dec 92) 10th Annv Sp * 1 ep - 50 mins long (aired 17 Aug 94 in UK) Mainly clips, but about 10 mins new material, as Rene and Edith reminisce about WWII. * = not broadcast in America yet, I believe Very Brief Recurring Character Listing --------------------------------------- Actor Character ------------------ ----------------------------------------- Gorden Kaye Rene Francois Artois (and his twin brother, Rene) Carmen Silvera Edith Melba Artois Rose Hill Madame Fanny (Edith's mother) Vicki Michelle Yvette Carte-Blanche Francesca Gonshaw Maria (Series 1-3) Sue Hodge Mimi Labonq (Series 4-9) Richard Marner Colonel Von Strohm Guy Siner Lieutenant Hubert Gruber Sam Kelly Captain Hans Geering (Series 1-3) Gavin Richards Captain Alberto Bertorelli (Series 4-7) Hilary Minster General Erich von Klinkerhoffen Kim Hartman Private Helga Geerhart Richard Gibson Herr Otto Flick (Series 1-8) David Janson Herr Otto Flick (Series 9) John Louis Mansi Herr Von Smallhausen (Series 2-9) Kirsten Cooke Michelle "of the Resistance" Dubois John D. Collins RAF Flight Lt. Fairfax (Series 1-7) Nicholas Frankau RAF Flight Lt. Carstairs (Series 1-7) Jack Haig Monsieur Roger Leclerc (Series 1-5) Derek Royle Monsieur Ernest Leclerc (Series 6) Robin Parkinson Monsieur Ernest Leclerc (Series 7-9) Kenneth Connor Monsieur Alphonse "Swiftly, and with Style" Arthur Bostrom Officer (Captain) Crabtree (Series 2-9) Moira Foot Denise Laroque (Series 5) Carole Ashby Louise (Series 5-9) Episode Listings Each episode is numbered in the form X.Y where X is the series number and Y is the order within the series. ********************************************************************** * For much larger plot descriptions of all the episodes, as well as * * details about the cast, photos, information about the songs found * * in the series and more, visit my 'Allo 'Allo Web Site at: * * * * http://www.marktv.org/aa * * * ********************************************************************** Below are the episode descriptions. All episodes except for those in Series 5 are 30 minutes long. Those in Series 5 are 25 minutes long. Exceptions are noted after the episode titles. Pilot ------ P. Pilot (35 mins long) Introduces: the Colonel, the Captain, Helga, Herr Flick, Rene, Edith, Yvette, Maria, Fanny, Lt. Gruber (though he is not yet named), Michelle of the resistance, British airmen. Two escaping British airmen are sent by the French Resistance to hide in Cafe Rene, a small French dining establishment run by Rene Artois, an innkeeper seemingly able to skirt death and survive during wartime, mainly by offering the bedroom services of his waitresses to the Germans in return for supplies otherwise unavailable. Meanwhile, the Germans are looting the town of its remaining valuables, including the painting of the "Fallen Madonna" by Van Clomp. Series 1 ---------- 1.1 To Forge Madonna (formerly titled "Herr Flick Arrives") The Colonel & the Captain mull over their situation and decide they should hand over Rene and the painting to the Gestapo in order to get rid of Herr Flick. But Rene convinces them that they could hand over a forged copy instead, and gets them to lend their uniforms to the escaping British officers so the Brits can take the painting to England to be forged. 1.2 Burnt Uniforms & Pigeons The resistance decides to use a carrier pigeon to tell London to replace the missing German uniforms, since the Germans are hiding in the room with the secret radio, and the airmen have burnt the original uniforms. Meanwhile, the German officers are wearing the clothes of onionsellers, and leave the room with the radio, and everything ends up with a pigeon dinner... 1.3 Bols Gin & Onion Sellers The Germans are all disguised as onion sellers while their uniforms are remade by London. Michelle delivers a bottle of nitroglycerin disguised as a bottle of Bols Gin - thinking it's gin, Edith begins spreading the nitro around to her mother and the hens. The Germans insist on joining Rene and company when they go out with the Resistance to blow up the railway with the gin, and to rendezvous with a plane from England, which is reportedly bringing the new German uniforms. 1.4 The Death of Rene Introduces: General Von Klinkerhoffen Hans mistakes the nitro for gin and accidentally blows up the railway himself! The Germans capture Rene, Yvette, and the peasant-disguised Colonel and Captain. As Helga, Leclerc, and Edith each attempt to help the gang escape, General Von Klinkerhoffen arrives in town and demands that the only known saboteur be shot. This means - Rene's death by firing squad, with Lieutenant Gruber in charge of the squad! 1.5 Rene's Funeral Introduces: Monsieur Alphonse Rene is now masquerading as his own twin brother as Herr Flick orders the Colonel and the Captain to attend the funeral and take down names. Meanwhile, Monsieur Alphonse the Undertaker comes to measure Rene's body for the coffin. 1.6 Kidnapped! It is Colonel Von Strohm's birthday, and Rene is hosting a party for him, during which the Colonel and the Captain are kidnapped by the Communist Resistance, who bring in Rene to shoot his "brother's murderers." As Michelle's group attempts a rescue, the parachute drop of the German uniforms and the real & forged paintings is made, confusing the Communists. 1.7 Hitler Youth It is now up to Rene & Co to swap the forgery for the real painting before Herr Flick sends the painting to Hitler on the train. While the Germans celebrate the anniversary of the burning down of the Reichstag and Herr Flick crashes the party, Rene & Edith don German disguises and attempt to effect the swap in Herr Flick's office. Meanwhile, the plan to get the airmen out of France this time is to disguise them as Hitler Youth out for "exercise" on the beach, and then get them in a boat. Series 2 --------- 2.1 Riddle of the Six Boobies Since Rene has been "shot dead", Edith is on a hunt for his will - once she finds it, she goes on a shopping spree. Meanwhile, now owning *three* copies of the Fallen Madonna With the Big Boobies by Van Clomp, Herr Flick enlists the help of Lieutenant Gruber in determining which is genuine. Finally the airmen, disguised as nuns, end up hiding in the piano. 2.2 Sausages Under Wraps Rene realizes he must woo Edith again in order to reacquire his cafe - and the airmen are now hiding in the attic, before Michelle disguises them as a cow in order to get them to the air field. Herr Flick has decided in the meantime to conceal the paintings inside knockwurst sausages. 2.3 Cows & Crabtree Introduces: Officer Crabtree With the airmen in the air field dressed as a cow, the plane does not land, instead dropping Officer Crabtree, sent from "British Ontelligence" who speaks abominable French. Meanwhile, Rene and Hans end up out trying to shoot the train that contains the non-painting-filled sausage. 2.4 Hitler's Sausage Rene and Hans return to the cafe in Gruber's stolen armored car. Herr Flick is hot on the trail of the stolen vehicle, which is captured by the Resistance. Meanwhile, Monsieur Alphonse shows up to court the Widow Artois, and Michelle needs to mend a silk balloon to help the British airmen to escape. 2.5 The Duel Introduces: Herr Von Smallhausen M'sieur Alphonse has challenged Rene to a duel for the right to Edith's hand. Rene tries plan after plan to get out of it, as the balloon is completed and taken to a barn. 2.6 Gestapo Torture Having run away from the Duel, Rene meets up with the Resistance, who provide him with a disguise as a Resistance Girl. The Colonel and the Captain are captured and placed in a dungeon by Herr Flick, where Rene ends up joining them as well. When the trio are tortured in the Gestapo prison, Gruber calls in General Erich Von Klinkerhoffen. Meanwhile, the silk balloon takes off. Christmas Special ------------------ X. Christmas Special (60 mins) The balloon lifts off and lands, while General von Klinkerhoffen takes command of the area, and assigns the Colonel to seduce Edith for information. Everyone hates von Klinkerhoffen, so they all try to kill him at a Kaiser's Birthday Party. Series 3 -------- 3.1 The Ransom of the Sausage The Communist Resistance kidnaps the Gestapo sausage and demands a ransom. It eventually falls to Rene to deliver the ransom: 800,000 francs borrowed from M'sieur Alphonse. The Germans agree to lie in wait during the transfer to capture the Resistance and recover the money, but things go awry. Meanwhile, Michelle hatches the "antique airplane" plan for the British airmen. 3.2 Counterfeiting & Lawnmowers Gruber's dog has ended up with the sausage with the painting, and returned it to Gruber. Herr Flick captures Gruber and interrogates him, and Rene talks Gruber into making yet another copy of the painting, by cutting him in on the deal. Rene repays the anxious Monsieur Alphonse with Leclerc's forged money, while Michelle steals the motor from General Von Klinkerhoffen's lawnmower. 3.3 Secret Passages Maria, detained by Von Klinkerhoffen with the Fallen Madonna Sausage, is imprisoned in the chateau as the General relieves her of the sausage. Lots of people attempt to replace the "real" sausage with a forgery; luckily, the chateau is riddled with secret passages. 3.4 The Antique Parade (40 mins long) Michelle has arranged to hold a parade of antiques to cover the antique airplane's getaway, and everyone joins in - with Von Strohm and Hans in an antique steamroller. Gruber offers to mend the painting, torn when Fanny bites the sausage. 3.5 The Sting (35 mins) Rene hides the painting on the back a picture of flowers hanging in the cafe, which turns out to be a Van Gogh. Rene devises a plan to get the airmen into the prisoners-of-war camp, smuggling them in by dressing them as hookers and faking their death, then having the "corpses" dig from Alphonse's mortuary through to the POW camp across the street. 3.6 The Graveyard Shift The airmen need help digging, so the gang goes to join them, while Herr Flick, Von Smallhausen, and Helga infiltrate the church near the graveyard dressed as priests and a nun. The German officers follow Rene & Co through the tunnel into the POW camp, and the tunnel collapses behind them, leaving them trapped! Series 4 --------- 4.1 Stalag Luft 4 As Rene and the cafe crew (and the Colonel and the Captain) are busily trying to escape out of the POW camp, Herr Flick and Von Smallhausen are busy trying to dig in, to capture the airmen and the Germans. Hans succeeds in escaping, and two plans to break out the crew from the outside are hatched. Crabtree's plan involving "droon poops" is rejected, but Gruber's plan involving a grabage truck is approved. Meanwhile, though, everyone has gotten involved in the POW camp's variety show... 4.2 A Farewell to Hans The gang manage to complete the escape from the POW camp dressed as chorus girls just as Flick and Von Smallhausen emerge into the camp. But as they regroup at the cafe, they find that both Maria and Hans have gone missing. 4.3 Freshmen Introduces Captain Bertorelli and Mimi Labonq A new waitress is hired to replace Maria - Mimi (a vicious resistance girl), as Capt. Bertorelli of the Italian army arrives to replace Hans. Rene has to foil Mimi's repeated attempts to assassinate Herr Flick in the cafe, while Von Strohm breaks in Bertorelli. 4.4 Getting it Up The Gestapo suspects that the Colonel and the General are in on a plot to assassinate Hitler, so Herr Flick goes undercover as Private Irma Von Kinkenrotten (a secretary to replace Helga) to spy on the officers. Meanwhile, Rene & Co. must get the aerial for their new radio above the jamming signal of Herr Flick, so they concoct a plan involving a small nun and a box kite. 4.5 The Sausage Surplus Lt. Gruber completes the forgeries of both the Van Clomp and the Van Gogh, and conceals the originals and forgeries inside sausages. Unfortunately, the resistance liked the sausage-hiding technique displayed last season and have delivered sausages containing dynamite, and sausages containing submarine batteries. And, of course, it's sausage delivery day. Meanwhile, Herr Flick has been arrested while disguised as a woman, and sent to the dungeons. 4.6 Vineyard of the Germans London has sent a spy camera to take photos of the Invasion plans - but the camera landed in a vineyard just commandeered by the Germans. As Edith's plan to rescue Rene from the Germans backfires (literally), the peasants are refusing to work the now-occupied vineyard, leading Von Klinkerhoffen to the Cafe to recruit forced labor from the peasants. As the Resistance make plans to kill Von Klinkerhoffen with poison wine and with a bomb hidden in Fanny's wheelchair, Leclerc finds the fallen spy camera. Series 5 -------- 5.1 The Rescue of Frau Kinkenrotten Various groups come up with various plans to attempt to rescue Herr Flick from the dungeon of Von Klinkerhoffen, although the General's plan involves Herr Flick being shot shortly after being rescued... 5.2 Eyes of the Potato The spy camera is now concealed within a potato; it is up to Rene to somehow get it into the chateau to photograph the safe so Monsieur Leclerc can make notes on how to break into it. 5.3 Criminal Developments The photo of the safe is developed at M'sieur Alphonse's mortuary, and Leclerc prepares to blow the safe. Michelle's plan is put into motion: she has Rene break into Lt. Gruber's room during a smoke bomb diversion. Unfortunately, Edith and Yvette have gotten confused and put the smoke bomb down Gen. Von Klinkerhoffen's chimney. 5.4 Return of the Paintings After blowing the safe, Rene and Leclerc discover the true originals of the paintings instead of the plans for the invasion. While escaping, they are then captured by the Communist Resistance, since they are assumed to be the German officers they're disguised as. Edith and Yvette steal the tank to look for Rene, but run over Crabtree instead. 5.5 Enter Denise Rene is released by the Communist Resistance after he agrees to marry Denise Laroque, his childhood sweetheart who has now become the leader of the Communist Resistance. Meanwhile, the airmen get tired of trying to escape and decide they'd be better off by surrendering. Unfortunately, their attempts aren't working very well... 5.6 Wedding Plans Yvette shows Mimi the "ropes" of working the street, and Edith re-enacts her wedding night with Rene one last time before he is doomed to marry Denise. But the two independent plans to get him out of it backfire in two unexpected ways. 5.7 Post-Matrimonial Depression Rene is in disguise, hiding from the vengeful Denise. Helga, Gruber, and Von Smallhausen are all assigned to watch or protect him, since he is the only one who knows where the paintings are. 5.8 The Long-Distance Duck The plans for the German Generals' Conference proceed apace, and Rene is enlisted to photograph the Invasion map. Meanwhile, the Long-Distance Duck arrives from London, and Edith hides from the vengeful Denise. 5.9 The Generals' Conference The Long-Distance Duck gets away, and one of the German generals is paralyzed by Mimi. As Crabtree takes the general's place, Rene and the cafe staff serve the meal at the chateau for the Conference, and attempt to photograph the Invasion map. 5.10 Michelle's Secret Love Rene has reached the end of his rope and decides to quit the resistance. To keep him in, Michelle reveals her hidden love for him and he relents. Rene ends up disguised as the paralyzed French general, but unknowingly uses plastic explosive for his fake nose. 5.11 The British Invasion Herr Flick is in traction after having been blown up by Rene's nose. General Von Klinkerhoffen reveals the sneaky details behind the British Invasion, while Cafe Rene is inundated with another wave of British airmen disguised as French peasants. Unfortunately, the German generals are also rendezvousing at Cafe Rene disguised as peasants... 5.12 Parade of Prams Everyone attempts to recover the original paintings of Van Clomp and Van Gogh. Amazingly, a few teams decide on pram-and-baby ruses, while the Italian Army gets captured by the Communist Resistance. 5.13 The Bank Job The Communist Resistance lets Rene go, but Mimi has the original paintings and is still disguised as the baby, and Denise still has her. Unfortunately, the Communists decide on a ransom of 1,000,000 Francs for the captured Germans and Italians and Von Klinkerhoffen will not pay. Michelle therefore decides it would be best if Rene robbed a bank to get the ransom. 5.14 Communists in the Cupboard The two leaders of the Communist Resistance are on the run, and both decide independently to take cover in Cafe Rene. Rene agrees to hide Denise, and Edith takes on Louise. Meanwhile, Mimi and the German officers manage to escape on their own, so now Rene has a million francs and nothing to do with it. And in the antics that follow, it ends up down Gruber's trousers. 5.15 Forged Francs & Fishsellers Herr Flick and Von Smallhausen go undercover as fishmongers to try to catch the bank robbers, since they know that what was stolen was forged bank notes. But when M'sieur Alphonse tries to buy some fish, he gets caught and taken away - and his new hairstyle doesn't help. The long-distance duck is launched, and it ambles on its way. 5.16 L'Hospital Monsieur Alphonse, under interrogation, has a heart attack when Helga shows him where she's hidden her share of the loot. Herr Flick therefore transfers him into the hospital. Then, Rene & Co attempt a rescue, while the Colonel and Gruber attempt to assassinate him to keep him from telling about their various plots. 5.17 Feathers The Colonel and Gruber attempt to frame Capt. Bertorelli by stuffing his trousers full of the forged francs, and calling a tip in to the gestapo that they are in the pants of a man with a feather in his hat. At the cafe, the Communist Resistance finally moves out, and M'sieur Leclerc arrives delivering parachutes, disguised as a pillow stuffer. With feathers in his hat. 5.18 Leclerc Against the Wall The Resistance plan to parachute the airmen down to England in two dummy land mines (the Mark Sixes) proceeds apace, as the Germans discover the land mines are missing. Meanwhile, M'sieur Leclerc is to be executed by firing squad unless the million francs is returned. Unfortunately, Rene's mother-in-law has burnt the francs, and the replacement forgeries from London are overdue! 5.19 Christmas Puddings The factory where the explosive (which the Resistance removed from the mines) is being stored is to be commandeered, so the Resistance decide to ship it to Rene's Cafe in the form of 500 Christmas puddings. The puddings begin arriving via various routes, while Herr Flick suspects Rene's Cafe is a hotbed of Resistance activity and decides to stake out the larder, observing it from a nearby church bell tower. 5.20 Mines Away! The smuggle-airmen-in-land-mines plan goes slightly awry when the Germans move the mines back to the Land Mine Store at the air base. Also, the fact that Herr Flick and Von Smallhausen are inside waiting to capture Frenchmen doesn't help much... 5.21 All Aboard The General is up to sneaky pool and manages to arrange to sell the paintings now instead of waiting for the end of the war. He does so, but the paintings, the gold bars given in payment, the Colonel, Gruber, Helga, Rene, Edith, and the waitresses all end up on the same train. 5.22 The Geneva Express Attempting to elope with Yvette, Rene is on the same train as the original paintings and the Swedish art expert. But the Resistance have decided to blow up the train with a couple of Christmas puddings. Once the train is blown up, and everyone is back in Nouvion, Rene is still holding a case of gold bars, which really belong to Von Klinkerhoffen. 5.23 Enigma Rene has melted the gold into cuckoo clock weights, but Michelle has now roped him into another harebrained scheme. He and the rest of the Cafe gang are to pretend to be a band for the purposes of being hired to play at the hotel, so they can capture the new German coding machine called "Enigma". Meanwhile, the Colonel and Gruber want Rene to use the ruse to grab the paintings which are also in the hotel. In this episode: Crabtree sings! 5.24 Renewing the Vows Edith forces Rene to marry her again by saying she will marry Monsieur Alphonse. Rene wants to make sure he owns the bar, so he agrees to marry her, but is not surprised to discover the deputy mayor who will officiate is... Monsieur Alphonse. And nobody is really surprised when he just can't seem to bring himself to say "man and wife". Luckily, Bertorelli pops in just then with his own surprise: Christmas puddings flambe. 5.25 The Big Flush The Enigma machine will be smuggled to Britain using a two-man sub. But to get the machine to the sub, they will put it in a barrel, stick it down the sewer, and have everyone in Nouvion flush their toilets at the same time. Meanwhile, Rene has resolved to elope once and for all with Yvette and is packing already, making sure to remember the hanging gold. [ed. note: Very early versions of this guide postulated the existence of a "missing episode" belonging between "The Big Flush" and "Enigma's End"; This has now been corrected.] 5.26 Enigma's End This season-ending episode has a true "finale" feel to it. British Intelligence sends a few experts out to look at the Enigma machine in situ (since the Resistance can't seem to get it to England) and they come disguised as policemen. Meanwhile, General Von Klinkerhoffen has ordered Rene shot in a half-hour if the box is not returned. Everything gets tied up neatly (except for the ongoing jokes of the airmen and the paintings) in a nice, almost too-sentimental season closer. Series 6 ---------- Episode Summaries by Jeff Peck, with help from Jerry G. and Moray Nichols: (Note: Jack Haig died suddenly before the start of this series, so a quick replacement was made. It is never seen on screen, but Rene tells us at the opening of 6.1 that "our" Roger Leclerc exchanged places with his brother Ernest in the nick, after going there to visit him. It had something to do with the prison food being better than Edith's cooking) Note: To the best of my knowledge, Series 6 has never been shown on American television, apparently having been omitted from the syndication packages available for some unknown reason. 6.1 The Ghost of Rene The Resistance are building a communication center beneath the grave of Rene's twin brother, hidden in the crypt. As the airmen prepare to escape by wading down the canal with a bathtub upside down over their heads, Flick and Von Smallhausen conceive a devious plan to capture the resistance - they will disguise themselves as British airmen! To that end, they learn just enough "English" to fake out the peasantry ("fa, fa, fa!"). Meanwhile, Fanny announces that she and Ernest Leclerc will get married, and a mishap at the crypt communication center results in Gruber thinking he's seen Rene's ghost. 6.2 It's Raining Italians As many people try to massage Rene's sore back, Von Klinkerhoffen decides that the army should beat the Gestapo to the "disguised as airmen" plan, so he recruits some of Bertorelli's men to be dropped out of a plane. Naturaly, the Italians promptly get lost in the woods as the Gestapo plan runs smoothly - until they encounter the supposed Resistance, who are the cafe gang all disguised under "monster makeup" (their makeup artist once worked for Boris Karloff) and running a spooky mansion. 6.3 The Goose and the Submarine Herr Flick and Von Smallhausen are arrested by the Germans, still disguised as British Airmen. Von Klinkerhoffen forces Helga (newly promoted to Lance Corporal) to keep tabs on Flick by marrying him, while the airmen finally make their way down the canal to the rendezvous, which they will recognize by seeing a goose with flashing eyes, which will indicate that the submarine is there to pick them up. 6.4 Playing Dead Again The Germans capture the airmen. As Bertorelli attempts to speak English, the airmen are scheduled to be put on a train for Berlin in the morning. Helga breaks off her engagement with Flick, Michelle devises a plan to fool the guards by dressing as undertakers and carrying out the airmen in coffins (as they pretend to be dead, as in episode 2.6 - this time with decidedly mixed results). 6.5 Disguised Intelligence Colonel Von Strohm interrogates Herr Flick and Von Smallhausen, but cannot punish them, since Himmler calls and wants them released (thanks to Helga). Michelle orchestrates the hijacking of a car with Intelligence officers and Rene and Edith are (reluctantly) chosen to dress in Intelligence uniforms, to infiltrate the chateau. Unfortunately, the airmen end up handcuffed to the wrists of Rene, Edith, and Mimi, and the keys are in Berlin. 6.6 Fence Painting Various attempts to free the handcuffed group fail, as many folk simultaneously decide to grab the Fallen Madonna to sell, and the German officers ask Rene about finding a fence. Lacking any real criminal connections, Rene offers Alphonse as the secret fence, and the painting is traded for the gold cuckoo clock weight. Meanwhile, Crabtree meets a lost love from the academy, who also speaks bad French! Rene has a forgery sent to Flick, while the Germans ask for hard currency instead of the gold. Rene uses some of Leclerc's forged money for the exchange in the church confessional. Which naturally ends up with the priest getting the gold from the Germans. 6.7 The Marriage of Ernest & Fanny Leclerc Von Klinkerhoffen is getting a little strange. He concocts a mad plan to blow up the town if the airmen are not returned. Fortunately, Herr Flick and Von Smallhausen learn of the plan. As Michelle devises another balloon-oriented plan to get the airmen home, the marriage of Fanny & Leclerc is at hand - Fanny is too weak to walk, so her bed is pulled down the aisle by the girls. The new couple soon fall asleep, though, so it's up to Rene and Edith to complete the ceremony for them. 6.8 Von Klinkerhoffen's Breakdown The Germans call in General Von Flockenstuffen to help with Nouvion's mine problem (they're planted throughout the town). He also notices that Von Klinkerhoffen has gone somewhat "around the twist", and has him remanded to a military hospital mental ward. Louise, now head of the Communist resistance, arrives to report the mines are *her* plan! Meanwhile, at the wedding party, everyone accidentally ends up breathing the helium for the airmen's balloons as they sing; and the balloon takes off too early, so it gets tied to Leclerc's bed -- which results in the bed flying by Von Klinkerhoffen's hospital window, with Fanny and Ernest aboard! Series 7 --------- Episode Summaries by Jeff Peck, with help from Jerry G: 7.1 Von Flockenstuffen In Command Leclerc and Fanny land in the town square, where they're promptly arrested. Since Von Klinkerhoffen's nervous breakdown, General Von Flockenstuffen has taken command. Edith manages to free Fanny and Leclerc just as Von Smallhausen has himself arrested to grill the couple about the airmen. As the newlyweds hide back at the cafe, their spring-loaded bed has pinned them against the wall... 7.2 Free At Last! Monsieur Alphonse, who made the spring-loaded bed, comes to pry the couple out while Von Flockenstuffen plans to kidnap Churchill, putting Von Strohm, Gruber, and Bertorelli in charge of the suicide squad. Flick and Von Smallhausen get blown up again, and Helga and Bertorelli spring Von Klinkerhoffen, only to have him fall prey to a dynamite candle... 7.3 Eloping to England Rene is to be given a collaboration medal for his help with the removal of Von Flockenstuffen. Unfortunately, this causes the Communist resistance to place a price on his head. He decides once again to elope with Yvette, but manages to accidentally grab Edith as the two are rushed aboard the plane bound for England. 7.4 Hello Hans! Rene and an airsick Edith land in England, to find none other than Hans Geering, now working for British Intelligence. At #10 Downing Street, Churchill awards Rene and Edith with medals, but Edith wants to return home after hearing that Fanny and Leclerc are ruining the bar, and helping her return leads Rene to accidentally go back as well. 7.5 Lines of Communication Michelle latest escape plan is to cut down telephone poles to make a raft. Meanwhile, Von Klinkerhoffen, upset by the Resistance propaganda in the town, decides to restart the old newspaper and has Rene and Alphonse appointed to run it. Michelle decides to use the paper to spread more propaganda. 7.6 The Spirit of Nouvion The Resistance now try to get the Airmen out in wine barrels. Running short on funds, Michelle decides to steal the painting from Herr Flick as, back at the newspaper, a "Spirit of Nouvion" contest is being held, as Edith, Yvette, and Mimi enter. As practically everyone tries to steal the painting from the safe in Herr Flick's office, Gruber once again thinks he sees Rene's ghost, and Edith blackmails Rene into picking her as the winner of the contest. 7.7 A Barrel Full of Airmen The painting passes through many hands, ending up with the General. Von Klinkerhoffen decides to have his picture taken at the cafe for the propaganda paper. Michelle places the wine barrels, designed to transport the airmen, in Rene's cellar, where Von Klinkerhoffen selects the barrel with the airmen as a barrle of wine to be commandeered and taken to his chateau. 7.8 Stuck! Von Klinkerhoffen decides that for the next edition of the newspaper, a marriage between a German and Frenchman should take place, and he picks Bertorelli and Edith (who is still "single"). Michelle and her troops try to get the airmen out through an underground river, but the barrel gets stuck in the sewer in the center of town. 7.9 The Ice Cream Truck The cafe gang keep the trapped airmen fed, and come up with a plan to rescue them - Rene will use his old ice cream truck to cover up the sewer grate while Alphonse bangs at the hinges with his chisel. Meanwhile, Helga has been temporarily replaced by Private Elsa Bigstern, who who takes to a surprised Flick immediately. 7.10 The Gypsy Carnival Having failed with the ice cream truck, the gang stage a gypsy carnival instead, positioning one tent directly over the sewer grate. With Rene posing as a fortune-teller, is it any wonder Gruber comes in to communicate with Rene's dead twin brother? The gang succeed at last in rescuing the airmen from the sewer, and indeed even rescue three others who had been trapped down there! Christmas Special 2 ------------------- Information and Summary by Jerry G. X.2 Christmas Special 2 (45 minutes) Rene tells us it is now Sept. 13, 1943, and that the airmen have finally escaped back to England, and Capt. Bertorelli has departed, following the Italian withdrawal. Also, the war is going badly for the Germans. For once, all is calm in Rene's world. Yvette disturbs Rene's peace with the claim that she is pregnant with his child, a "secret" that is known almost instantly by everyone. Helga steals the painting of the Fallen Madonna from Herr Flick and removes one of the "boobies" as insurance she will be part of any payoff. Von Klinkerhoffen drops his first hint about his desire to assassinate Hitler, but Von Strohm and Gruber fail to pick up on the idea. Series 8 --------- All Information and Summaries by Jerry G. 8.1 Radio Free Flamenco Michelle informs Rene of her plan to create a traveling propaganda radio station, broadcasting messages on prerecorded wax cylinders. However, the drop of the cylinders ends up landing at the chateau, so Rene & Co. take the place of a Spanish flamenco dance troupe performing at the chateau to retrieve the tubes, and end up getting caught up in Gruber's plan to fence the painting. Also, Crabtree sings again! 8.2 The Great Pay Robbery Michelle blackmails the Germans, who resort to robbery disguised as resistance girls and plan to hold-up the incoming German pay truck. Flick and Von Smallhausen attempt to intercept the pay truck themselves, also disguised as resistance girls, but they're the ones who get caught as the German officers escape with the loot. 8.3 Blowing Up Hitler Von Klinkerhoffen plans to assassinate the visiting Hitler and Goering, but they turn out to be impostors sent as decoys. They're killed anyway by an exploding sausage, so Von Klinkerhoffen orders Von Strohm and Gruber to replace the imposters long enough to be seen leaving town. 8.4 Lead Shortage Lead is needed to improve the power of the mobile radio station, so the gang tries to remove lead from the church roof. Meanwhile, Von Strohm and Gruber (still disguised as Hitler and Goering) are captured by the Communist Resistance! 8.5 Hitler Escapes! As Michelle tries to meet with the Communist Resistance to discuss broadcasting options over their recent capture of "Hitler" and "Goering", the cafe gang attempt a rescue. In the ensuing chaos, Von Strohm and Gruber escape from the Communists and head back to the cafe. Meanwhile, Flick and Von Smallhausen face a close call at a firing squad for their alleged part in the pay truck robbery. 8.6 A Fishful of Francs Von Strohm agrees to pay the blackmail to the resistance by stuffing 10 million francs into a large dogfish, to be released into the river and retrieved by the resistance. However, Alphonse instead catches the fish while on a picnic with Edith. Eventually, the fish ends up on Herr Flick's plate, who immediately offers a trade of the money to Von Strohm for the painting. Meanwhile, on orders from Von Klinkerhoffen, Rene and Edith are disguised as Hitler and Goering so the Germans can ambush any resistance group planning on attacking the two "Germans" as they leave town. Rene and Edith are then captured by Allied-sympathetic German troops and are lined up for execution. 8.7 Emigration Edith and Rene are rescued by British troops, as Fanny and Leclerc, assuming Rene and Edith to be dead, flee to Paris. Von Strohm and Gruber decide to make their escape to Spain with traveling flamenco dancers. Before they depart, they meet with Flick at the cafe to swap the painting for the 10 million francs. Finally, Yvette and Rene find out the pregnancy results were an error. Series 9 --------- All Information and Summaries by Jerry G. 9.1 Fighting With Windmills Gruber and Von Strohm return from their failed escape attempt. Rene agrees to hide the painting, still missing a boobie, and suggests the Germans fake their own kidnapping by hiding in the windmill. When Von Klinkerhoffen decides to use the windmill for target practice, Rene rescues the Germans, but is taken hostage himself by the Communists. Meanwhile, a heavily-bandaged Flick tells Helga he has had plastic surgery to avoid capture by the Allies. 9.2 Missing And Presumed Dead Rene finds himself living as a love slave to the Communist resistance. Gruber and Von Strohm try to collect the painting, but Edith is unsure of its whereabouts. The pair agree to pay for a statue of Rene, who is assumed killed in the windmill explosion. Flick reveals his new face and tries to swindle Edith out of the painting. Von Klinkerhoffen takes Gruber and Von Strohm hunting, where they shoot Rene, who is escaping from the resistance by disguising himself under a elkskin bedspread. 9.3 Rene Artois is Still Dead Rene has buckshot removed from his rear. Michelle plans to smuggle Rene to England, since he is still assumed by the Germans to be dead in the windmill explosion. Flick continues to pump information from Edith. After the plans to go to England are delayed, Rene instead decides to turn himself in to the Germans, faking amnesia from the explosion. 9.4 The Fishmonger Float Michelle tries to send important microfilm to England via a homing pigeon, but fails. Instead, new plans call for the group to sail to England with the film on a motorized float under the guise of the annual fishmonger's parade. Von Klinkerhoffen tells Gruber and Von Strohm of his plans to assassinate Hitler with an exploding picture frame. Flick and Von Smallhousen kidnap Mimi and Yvette, using their clothes and keys to enter the cafe to search for the painting. 9.5 Sand Trap Alphonse continues work on the statue of Rene. Von Klinkerhoffen takes Gruber and Von Strohm golfing, where they discuss the assassination plans. Later, at the train station where the painting is to be delivered, Flick intercepts the picture frame, instead thinking it is the original painting of the "Fallen Madonna." The villagers arrive at the coast, but instead find the Allied troops invading the beach. 9.6 Denouement The Allies are nearly ready to reach Nouvion. Yvette asks to see Rene in the back room, where they find the two British airmen, once again shot down. The next day, the Allies reach the cafe. Gruber and Von Strohm decide to use the uniforms of the two British airmen to try to mingle out with the Allies, but they are caught as Von Klinkerhoffen arrives at the cafe to conduct the official surrender. Flick and Von Smallhausen try to use a mini-submarine to reach the ocean, via a secret tunnel under the town. Instead, they crash through the wall of the cafe, into the arms of the Allies. The war ends, and Rene is pinned with a medal as a hero by the Allies. The scene outside fades to the near present. A fancy Mercedes pulls into the square, where an old chauffeur, Von Strohm, opens the door for the rich owners of the car--Helga and Gruber. They enter the cafe to find things amazingly similar. They are told by Rene's young adopted son that he is outside, where Yvette is helping him use the public facility. Everyone ends up meeting in the square, next to the statue of Rene built by Alphonse. Upstairs, an older Mimi attends to the bedridden Edith. Outside, Gruber tells Rene how he became an international art dealer after the war. Rene explains that he never found the painting, which he accidentally misplaced just prior to the invasion. Gruber accidentally strikes the arm of the statue and it breaks, and the rolled-up painting falls out of the concrete statue. Stunned by the sudden recovery of the long-lost art work, everyone enters the cafe to decide how to split up the painting, now worth millions. Rene and Yvette, now carrying the painting, instead sneak over to Gruber's car. Edith, now hobbling down into the square, sees them. ("Rene! What are you doing with that serving girl?!?" ... "You stupid woman....can't you see? I...am...eloping!") The final shot is of the car pulling away from the square, with everyone else in a slow walking chase. 10th Anniversary Special ------------------------ B. The Best of 'Allo 'Allo (summary by Jeff Peck; add'l info from Murray Park and James Kew): (50 mins long - aired in England on Wed, 17 August 1994) Rene and Edith are celebrating her birthday in the Alps this year. He orders champagne and she orders a cake which reads "35" - she is taking years off for the War (and WWI and the Crimea). They begin to reminisce about the war years, and we are treated to a series of interlinked clips. All this reminiscing brings the two of them to re-affirm their love for each other, as they clink glasses. Remember !! ----------- Visit the 'Allo 'Allo Web Site: http://www.marktv.org/aa for all of this information and much much more: - much fuller episode descriptions - full character (acting) credits - individual episode credits - notes on the music used throughout the series - pictures and description of other 'Allo 'Allo materials - links to other 'Allo 'Allo sites ------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks to all the folks who have contributed over the years to this guide!