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Staying with my theme of "listing" things from the series, I am going to post every instance I can find of an actor looking into the camera or the "4th wall".
In my own opinion, I did not think this was a good idea for the show. The reason is that these actors were SO good, they really made you feel like the set was real and the situation was real, despite the show having a very low production budget. For me, this was negated when they looked or spoke directly into the camera.
That being said, it's still fun to watch and point out:
#1 - S4E5 - Most likely the most famous one, Mr. Humphries looks directly into the camera and says "We're not going to tell you what it is, it's a secret" in regard to Mrs. Slocombe's birthday present.
#2 - S4E6 - The very next episode after #1, Mr. Humphries again looks directly into the camera and speaks to the audience just before Captain Peacock explains why he is late.
#3 - S5E2 - Mr. Grainger resigns and is immediately rehired as a junior. At the end of the scene, Mr. Lucas tells him that since he's now a junior, he'd better be on time on Monday morning. The scene ends with Mr. Grainger looking directly into the camera and making several flabbergasted expressions until the scene fades out.
Also, just for fun, I thought this would have been a far better way for this scene to go:
Mr. Rumbold: “He wants to reapply, sir.”
Mr. Grace: “Have we any vacancies?”
Mr. Rumbold: “Young Mr. Lucas’ job is going.”
Mr. Grace: “He’s a bit old for that.”
Mr. Rumbold: “I think we should give him a try, sir. After all, he has had a lot of experience.”
Mr. Grace: “Mr. Theobald’s job is still open, let’s give him that instead.”
Mr. Rumbold: “Mr. Theobald is a board member, sir. Remember, you were about to give me that job awhile back?” (season 3)
Mr. Grace: “Yes I do. Let’s give him the job.”
Mr. Rumbold: “But Mr. Grace, wouldn’t you rather give the job to a department head, such as myself?”
Mr. Grace: “I’ve made up my mind. Congratulations, Mr. Grainger!”
Mr. Humphries: "Congratulations, Mr. Grainger!"
Mr. Grainger: "For what, resigning?"
Mr. Humphries: "No, you're going to be a board member, he's just said so!"
Mr. Grainger: "Me, a board member? Oh goodness....Mr. Rumbold, may I go and phone Mrs. Grainger and let her know?"
Mr. Rumbold: "Absolutely sir.......in fact, you're now my boss."
#4 - S2E2 - Mr. Humphries has his hands in a drawer, trying to warm them during the episode "Cold Comfort". Mr. Lucas comes onto the floor and for a second and gives a very surprised look into the camera before turning toward Mr. Humphries and asking what he's doing.
#5 - S7E7 - In the canteen, Mr. Lucas again looks into the camera with a funny expression while Mr. Goldberg chats on the phone with his employment agency about Mr. Humphries.
#6 - S5E4 - After Captain Peacock tells Mrs. Slocombe the correct procedure for getting his attention, Mrs. Slocombe tells him that she's going to go see Mr. Rumbold. She makes a remark to Mr. Grainger on the way past the men's counter that causes him to (again) make a flabbergasted expression directly into the camera as the scene ends.
#7 - This is more of a blooper - In S4E1 "No Sale", Mr. Grainger says a line that almost sounds like it was ad libbed:
Mr. Grainger: "I won't say that again, my teeth are caught up in this custard."
Both Mr. Lucas and Mrs. Brahms look like they are genuinely breaking character and laughing, to which Mr. Lucas looks out at the audience.
#8 - Just like #7, Trevor Banister (Mr. Lucas) again genuinely looks like he breaks character in S5E5 "The Take-Over" when Mr. Grainger enters the board room wearing a wig. Trevor breaks up laughing and for a moment looks directly into the camera, twice actually.
