The Last Salute

1961: the days of happy motoring and AA patrolmen were duty-bound to salute to every passing passenger that bore an AA badge on their vehicle, and hapless patrolman Harry Thorpe struggles with his job. He frequently clashes with his superior, one Inspector Leonard Spanwick, who also happens to reside in a caravan in Harry's back garden and is romantically involved with his blowsy sister Joyce. Leonard often makes Harry's life difficult, and he struggles to keep his local branch afloat and recruit new members, which is compounded by the intense competition from the rival RAC organisation, who are keen to drain away their trade. Although he's dedicated, Harry often has difficulty trying to stay up to date with some of the organisation's recent advancements.

Directed by Tim Binding, Simon Nye, The Last Salute leans on a strong ensemble — Paul Bown, Philip Jackson, Ben Pullen — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The series landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about comedy titles of 1998.