1980s TV Shows: A Trip Down Memory Lane With… Guy Siner (Lieutenant Hubert Gruber in “Allo ‘Allo!”)

Exclusive Interview by Karen Beishuizen

“Allo ‘Allo!” was a British television series which aired on BBC1 from 1982 til 1992. It ran for 9 seasons and 85 episodes. The show focuses on the life of a French cafe owner in Nouvion during the German occupation in WWII. He deals with all kinds of problems: a crooked German officer, French Resistance and making sure his wife doesn’t find out about his many affairs with waitresses. Guy Siner played German Lieutenant Hubert Gruber during the whole series.

KB: “Allo ‘Allo!”: What was the show about?

The show was about a French cafe owner in Nouvion during the German occupation in WWII. He deals with all kinds of problems: a crooked German officer, French Resistance and making sure his wife doesn’t find out about his many affairs with waitresses.

KB: How did you get the part as Lieutenant Hubert Gruber?

I auditioned for David Croft in the usual way at TV Centre.

KB: What did you like about the character, and how did you make it your own?

I loved the character from the start. Making it my own was—well—I’m an actor. It’s what we do.

KB: How did you learn the German accent for your role? Was it difficult?

I already spoke German and had a fairly good accent. But again, as an actor, it’s what I do.

KB: How did a week on the set looked like from getting the script to filming?

The scripts arrived at my home some time before we started filming. A few weeks of location filming of all the external scenes, then later a week in the rehearsal rooms/studio recording each episode.

KB: Where was the show filmed?

Locations in Norfolk. Studio in London.

KB: The show had multi-language speaking actors: How did you get along and make yourself understand?

The linguistic ‘joke’ was rather the point of the show. Each character’s accent denoted his nationality.

KB: Do you have a favorite episode on the whole show and why this one?

I remember so many with great fondness. Perhaps (if you insist!) I would choose the scene in which Hubert was ordered by the General to interrogate M. Alphonse because it gave me the opportunity to play a very funny scene with the consummate Kenneth Connor whom I had admired since my childhood.

KB: Looking back now would you have played Lt. Hubert Gruber differently?

No, but I do rather wish I could go back in time and perfect little mistakes which nag at me now…

KB: How do you explain that this show is still so beloved even after 40+ years?

If I could answer that, I’d be rich. The writers had an indefinable magic, and the show was very well cast and directed. Everything came together in an extraordinary way. We were/are very lucky to have been involved.

If you and your audience enjoyed the show, I think you would like our podcast “Listen Very Carefully”: Kim Hartman (Helga), Richard Gibson (Herr Flick) and I are very dear friends and have been for forty odd years. We watch back an episode and then talk about the making of it – with lots of behind the scenes stories etc. It involves a lot of hilarity and a certain amount of gin! Do give it a listen.

It’s not only a lot of fun but answers many of your questions in greater detail.

Best wishes,
GS

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