Dad's Army is a British sitcom from the 60's and 70's with 80 episodes. It was the first sitcom based on a war and follows the exploits of the Walmington-on-Sea platoon of the Home Guard.
The Home Guard was made up of men either too old or too young to join the military. They patrolled the British coast and countryside during World War 2 so that there could be a line of defence if Britain was invaded without having to keep back members of the regular army from fighting abroad.
Missing Presumed Wiped
During the 1970's the BBC wiped many TV episode tapes, including the entire 2nd series of Dad's Army. Luckily copies of two episodes were found in a garden shed after a BBC worker had rescued them from a skip. However three episodes & two christmas sketches are still "missing, presumed wiped".
The missing episodes are: 'Under Fire', 'A Stripe for Frazer' & 'The Loneliness of the Long Distance Walker'. Plus 2 sketches that were in 'A Christmas Night with the Stars'(from 1968 & 1970)
David Croft's Autobiography
Writer of Dad's Army
You Have Been Watching . . .: The Autobiography of David Croft
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Captain George Mainwaring
Arthur Lowe
Captain Mainwaring is the local bank manager. At the formation of the Home Guard he made himself Captain and has tried running it ever since. He likes to think he is in control of everything, and hates people knowing more than him. He is always "just testing" his men on information he has forgotten.Visit Arthur Lowe's filmography
"Stupid Boy!"
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Arthur Lowe's Biography
Arthur Lowe
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Sergeant Arthur Wilson
John Le Mesurier
Chief clerk at the bank Sergeant Wilson is a laid back, upper class man who has a thing going with Pike's mother. He never seems overly bothered about anything and asks instead of orders the men to do things.Visit John Le Mesurier's filmography
"Do you think that's wise, Sir"
Lance-Corporal Jack Jones
Clive Dunn
Jack Jones the butcher is an old time soldier who fought in the Sudan. He is always one step behind the squad in drill and gets very excited at the idea of action, especially involving bayonets.Visit Clive Dunn's filmography
"They don't like it up them! No, they do not like it up them!"
Private Frank Pike
Ian Lavender
Pike is the youngest member of the platoon and also works at the bank as a clerk. He is a mummy's boy and likes to play with the machine gun making sound effects. His mother makes him wear a colourful scarf and he comes in with doctor's notes.Visit Ian Lavender's filmography
"My mum won't like this Captain Mainwaring."
Private Joe Walker
James Beck
Walker is a spive, he can get you anything for a price and is quick to spot a business opportunity wheedling anything he can get away with.Visit James Beck's filmography
Private James Frazer
John Laurie
A scottish coffin maker, Private Frazer was in the navy during the first war and makes numerous predictions of doom. He would often lead rebellions against Captain Mainwaring and offered many opportunities for England-Scotland and Army-Navy jokes.Visit John Laurie's filmography
"We're doomed, I tell yea doooooommmmed!"
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Private Charles Godfrey
Arnold Ridley
The platoon's medical orderly, Godfrey is an amiable, life long bachelor who lives with his sisters. We find out in the episode 'Branded' that he was a conscientious objector during WW1, but at the end of the episode we find out that he joined up anyway as a medical orderly and won the Military Medal for bravery, saving people in No-mans land.
Very polite but also seeming very small and delicate, Godfrey has a weak bladder and often falls asleep on parade. He is however immensley loyal to Captain Mainwairing, only becoming involved in one plot against him in the entire eighty episodes.
Visit Arnold Ridley's filmography
Very polite but also seeming very small and delicate, Godfrey has a weak bladder and often falls asleep on parade. He is however immensley loyal to Captain Mainwairing, only becoming involved in one plot against him in the entire eighty episodes.
Visit Arnold Ridley's filmography
"I'm awfully sorry but could I be excused please?"
Arnold Ridley's Biography
Godfrey's Ghost: From Father to Son
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Favourite Character
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Chief Warden Hodges
Bill Pertwee
Chief air raid warden Hodges is a greengrocer by trade who gets irritated by Captain Mainwaring and returns the favour two fold. Mainwaring considers Hodges a commoner and the Warden thinks the Captain is pompous. The Home Guard and the Wardens often clash over bookings for the hall, order in town parades and who should be in charge in various situations. Hodges often displays a cocky arrogance but whenever a dangerous situation arises he turns into a quivering coward.Visit Bill Pertwee's filmography
Bill Pertwee's Autobiography
A Funny Way to Make a Living!: The Autobiography of Dad's Army's Chief Warden Hodges
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Rev. Timothy Farthing
Frank Williams
The vicar of Warmington-on-Sea, he lends the church hall out to both the Home Guard and ARP wardens. He is heavily involved in social and charity events within the town. The vicar often ends up accidently stumbling into the Home Guards escapades, and his patience and charitable nature are often tested when Mainwaring and Hodges are fighting over possesion of his office.Visit Frank Williams' filmography
Frank William's Autobiography
Vicar to "Dad's Army": The Frank Williams Story
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Dads Army
by Bill Pertwee
This book includes extensive features on the two creators of "Dad's Army", Jimmy Perry and David Croft, along with biographies of the whole cast of actors who brought this British comedy classic to life, paying particular attention to such memorable figures as Arthur Lowe (Captain Mainwaring), John Le Mesurier (Sergeant Wilson), Clive Dunn (Corporal Jones) and Ian Lavender (Private Pike). As an integral part of the show itself, Bill Pertwee is uniquely positioned to give an intimate view of his co-stars, their families and the supporting production team. His colourful account includes many hilarious incidents on and off the set, such as filming for Columbia Pictures and being invited to tea at 10 Downing Street. Numerous colour photos as well as a fine selection of well-reproduced original stills supplement the informative text, and a full episode listing is included, together with articles on the many "Dad's Army" spin-offs and side projects, including the highly successful stage play, movie adaptation and radio series.
Dad's Army: The Making of a Television Legend
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Road Safety Advert
Dad's Army was such a hit that they branched into numerous things, including these road safety adverts.
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Dads Army Revisited
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![Dad's Army [Region 2]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5132CCHR8EL._SL75_.jpg)
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- Rob3 Rob3 Nov 29, 2009 @ 4:42 pm
- One of the best sitcoms ever with so many memorable characters all played by very talented actors, and a great lens to match. 5*****
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- Debs Debs Nov 27, 2009 @ 3:36 am
- This is a wonderful lens about one of my favourite TV sitcoms...I also used to really enjoy the radio versions too which I remember listening to on either Radio 2 or 4 as a child! 5*****s!
by GeoDitton
I'm a media student who will work on almost any type of media project to keep busy. I'm also a big fan of boxing.
I support the British armed force... (more)
I support the British armed force... (more)
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