The Colin Bean Discussion Thread

[jonnyb]

If not, maybe there should be. Colin (rip) was involved in almost all episodes of DA (28 credited with a speaking part) and I was  pleased to see that later on, and esp after the death of Jimmy Beck he had more speaking parts.
I remember one episode where his part even got a huge laugh from the audience (one of the very few times) and I bet he had a bit of a celebration that night!

I came across an interview with him on YT and He was obviously a very intelligent, witty and charming chap who worked in the industry for over 50 years as a bit player.  It seems he got on very well with the other cast members and had one of his suggestions for an episode taken on by jimmy perry (All is safely gathered in) which he remembered from his own Home Guard experience in WW2.

the YT link is PART 1  
and part two is   

[tlyne]

I liked Sponge. I wish he had more speaking parts, but I understand, in an ensemble cast, only so many people can be involved. For his small part, I thought Colin was very good.

[Dave Homewood]

There is now....

Yes Colin was a great chap, very supportive of the DAAS, the DAAS NZ Branch and the fans. We used to email back and forth a lot, and I had a great day with him when I visited Wigan back in 1996, including a beer or two in his local. He is much missed.

[jonnyb]

Thanks Dave and what a great memory for you to have. I esp like the idea of a beer or two in the local with Pvt Sponge! (CB)

[Dave Homewood]

I remember when he got the first round and passed me a pint he said "Do you want two straws?" Haha, a wonderful play on perhaps Sponge's funniest line in the series.

[jonnyb]

Ha Ha, yes, that was the line i was alluding to in my first comment. Very funny.

[Col]

I've just started noticing that Private Sponge is in the background in the occasional non platoon role. Don't know how I missed him sitting in the courtroom in the episode 'A brush with the law' and also in 'Brain versus Brawn' where he's chatting to someone at the rotarian dinner: Need to be more observant in future!

[mingwalton]

I'll have to go to the back of the class for asking, but what episode and context did Colin make his famous straws remark?..shocking I know, as I've watched the lot.

[Col]

It was in the episode 'My brother and I.' Captain Mainwaring is detailing patrol duties and informs Sponge that his section will be patrolling the area from the Gasworks to the novelty rock emporium, then warns them not to drink. Sponge replies 'not a drop will touch our lips, Sir - and as he walks away, he adds 'We'll get a couple of straws, come on.' As mentioned, the line was well received by the audience.

[mingwalton]

Thanks Col....it's all coming back now

[jenny]

Private sponge was the main extra in the platoon. What are your thoughts about the character. Was he a good character and do you think that he could of become one the main characters.

[JM2461]

Private Sponge is a likable character, but unfortunately being only a minor character meant he didn't do a great deal, so it's hard to take to him in the same way as the other characters. I think he did get more lines after Walker went though, he seemed to be more noticeable, unless I'm imagining it. I think he may have stood in the front row after Walker and Private Cheeseman went, and become part of "Jones's section" as Mainwaring occasionally put it.

[Molly]

Yes, I really like the character too. I agree with you jm2461, I think he was more noticeable in later series. I guess Jenny that he could have been a main character, but we would have needed to know a bit more about him I think as all we really know is that he's a sheep farmer. (I think? Was it sheep?) I love the mention of him sulking in The King Was in His Counting House because he wasn't going to Mainwaring's party He didn't strike me as a sulker

[Dave Homewood]

Sponge was a vital character in that he was a sort of bridge between the main cast members/characters and the extras/back row men. Sponge was a Section leader, like Jones, and though we got to learn the names of several of the other platoon members like Desmond, Hastings and Hancock, Sponge is the only one who we got to know was a farmer, he liked to drink, he was a reliable and dependable sort and he was trusted by Mainwaring to drive the platoon transport on occasions, etc. I liked Sponge but I don't think he should have been developed more than he was. The latter episodes where he had a few more lines were just enough. Sponge was in the series all the way through from beginning to end and only missed a couple (like Sons Of The Sea), which was great as he provided a constancy about the townsfolk who had also joined the platoon. But from the beginning they had too many main characters as it was and this is why Bracewell was written out after the pilot show,so there's no way Sponge would have gotten a bigger part from the start.

[Col]

Colin in the Liver birds 4:43 in

[Col]

Colin as a newspaper vendor in 'Elementary, my dear Watson' from 1973
starring John Cleese as Holmes and Willie Rushton as Watson.
Colin is seen right at the beginning.

[Andy Howells]

Merged Sponge and Colin Bean Thread

[Reithian]

Anyone know what the name Sponge was chosen by the writers? Not many in the phone book.

[Dave Homewood]

Jimmy Perry told Colin that he'd seen it on the side of a truck or van as it went past in Watford, or maybe London, one day, and he liked it. So he noted it down for a character name.

[Reithian]

The episode Put That Light Out provides a good example of how Colin managed to place himself in the background but in full view of the main camera shot. Watch the scene in the Jolly Roger Ice Cream parlour.