Dad's Army. Image shows from L to R: Private Godfrey (Arnold Ridley), Lance Corporal Jones (Clive Dunn), Private Walker (James Beck), Captain Mainwaring (Arthur Lowe), Private Frazer (John Laurie), Sergeant Wilson (John Le Mesurier), Private Pike (Ian Lavender)
Dad's Army

Dad's Army

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC One
  • 1968 - 1977
  • 80 episodes (9 series)

Beloved sitcom about the struggles of a Home Guard platoon during World War II who are fighting incompetence, age and pomposity more than Nazis. Stars Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier, Clive Dunn, John Laurie, Arnold Ridley and more.

Press clippings Page 10

The real war horrors Arnold Ridley endured

While conscientious objector Pte Godfrey could not hurt a fly, Arnold Ridley endured horrific hand to hand combat in the trenches at the Somme in 1916.

Warren Manger, Radio Times, 25th January 2016

Radio Times review

If you've ever wondered why there's such percolating ill feeling between Mainwaring and Wilson, it's all here in an eye-opening first act. The captain turns puce and looks set to explode ("Judas!") when he learns that his supercilious subordinate is going up in the world, as both bank manager and second lieutenant in neighbouring Eastgate. All the petty jealousy and class resentment come pouring out, and Mainwaring's knee-jerk response is an office/platoon reshuffle.

It's brilliantly acted, but if that sounds a bit intense and uncomfortable, don't worry. There's some fruity role-playing as members of the platoon get ideas above their station and a sizeable innuendo from the Vicar. But the episode is owned by Wilson, and John Le Mesurier. You'll find it hard to swallow after the very last scene.

Mark Braxton, Radio Times, 19th January 2016

Radio Times review

A popular 1970 episode. The captain's doughty dependables rally round when the ARP wardens challenge the platoon to a game of cricket. Jones offers to keep wicket, Walker the spiv provides reconditioned balls and even Frazer will have a go "if someone will explain the principle of the thing".

There's plenty of cheating (demon bowler Fred Trueman plays a ringer), some epic excuse-making from a shown-up Mainwaring, and a rousing last-ditch effort from an unlikely source. A greater role than usual, too, for the late Bill Pertwee, who selflessly played chief hate-figure Hodges for nine years.

Mark Braxton, Radio Times, 12th January 2016

Radio Times review

BBC sensitivity was such that for years we were deprived of this triumphant episode. It was off our screens for 42 years until 2012, its IRA subplot deemed too controversial. But the Irish question is very much an aside to an instalment so packed with gags, misunderstandings and drama that it fairly takes the breath away.

Contrasting phone manner offers a lot of initial fun: Wilson's hilariously fey "Hullo?"; a submissive Mainwaring deafened by his wife's receiver slamming. Soon the platoon teeters on the brink of mutiny (over a pub darts match, but there is real acrimony), Jones comes to regret his under-the-counter offer to the captain and Hodges muscles in on Mavis Pike. Is Wilson too much the gentleman to intervene?

You'll laugh, you'll be tense, you'll worry about 74-year-old Arnold Ridley getting roughed up by a burly henchman.

Mark Braxton, Radio Times, 30th November 2015

Radio Times review

This untypical episode about guarding prisoners of war suffers from limp gags and too much stereotyping. A little urgency is instilled with the suggestion that Walker may be a fifth columnist, and it does feature Mainwaring stuck down a hole "like Winnie the Pooh".

Listen out for Godfrey delivering the unimaginable line "Your tiny hand is frozen" to an Italian soldier, and some epic sentence-mangling from Jones, who puts his bayonet to good use for a change. John Ringham (who became familiar as Penny's dad in Just Good Friends) returns for the last time as Captain Bailey.

Mark Braxton, Radio Times, 24th November 2015

True stories of the heroic men who inspired Dad's Army

The hugely popular TV series is being transformed into a film but the stories of those who inspired it are even more amazing.

Boudicaa Fox-Leonard, The Mirror, 15th November 2015

Radio Times review

This lesser entry to the Army canon, about toughening up the platoon's feet, is a curious beast. The podiatric pranks are a little hit-and-miss, but there's much for fans to savour. For instance, after all the chip-on-his-shoulder speeches to Wilson about privilege, Mainwaring gives him a surprisingly generous - and accurate - character analysis.

So if all the shoe-shop tomfoolery fails to hit the spot, just enjoy Pike at his mollycoddled worst, a guest turn from the wonderful Erik (Mr Smith in Please Sir!) Chitty and an epic fail at the seaside for Mainwaring.

And those who pooh-pooh the idea that Pike is Wilson's son will be dumbfounded by one scene that all but shouts out the connection.

Mark Braxton, Radio Times, 10th November 2015

Radio Times review

Walmington's spats with the rival platoon in Eastgate are always great, pratfalling fun, and a training exercise in which Mainwaring's marauders have to plant a bomb in a windmill is certainly played full tilt. But we open in the pub, where that tedious old walrus Captain Square - all beer and bluster - is holding court. And, in his first appearance in Dad's Army, Robert Raglan (as a sergeant, but he'll later become "the Colonel") throws a priceless glance at the barman as Square bores for Britain.

Arthur Lowe trumps that look with one that was to become a trademark (glasses removed, cheeks puffed out with exasperation), after Frazer gives a typically windy speech.

It's the story where Jones branches out, Frazer has an overinflated opinion of himself, sheep wear helmets and the Verger finds a novel use for a cemetery urn. Utterly, beautifully bonkers.

Mark Braxton, Radio Times, 4th November 2015

Radio Times review

The first episode of the 1970s is a jovial knockabout in which the platoon prepares for a parade of all civil defence units. In one of those lovely, evocative scenes in the local cinema, a Gaumont newsreel gives Mainwaring the idea for a regimental mascot. And Pike is piqued by having to leave early ("I haven't seen the Donald Duck yet").

Some ram-chasing antics enable the cast to give little thumbnail sketches of their characters: timid Godfrey, furtive Frazer and mellow Wilson lying back in the buttercups.

There's a nice variation on Jones's catchphrase ("Permission to stop panicking, sir") and some enthusiastic gurning from Bill Pertwee as Hodges. At one point the warden is so thoroughly upstaged that even Mainwaring is forced to laugh, and the Home Guard/ARP rivalry reaches a ludicrously funny conclusion.

Mark Braxton, Radio Times, 27th October 2015

Ian Lavender: the BBC would not make Dad's Army today

The last surviving platoon member of Dad's Army says the BBC would not make the classic comedy today because the corporation ignores older viewers in favour of the young.

Stephen McGinty and Jason Allardyce, The Sunday Times, 2nd August 2015

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