Dad's Army

Dad's Army is a much repeated British comedy of the 1970s. It starred several veterans of British film and TV, including Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier, John Laurie and Clive Dunn. Relative newcomers in the regular cast were Ian Lavender and James Beck, the latter dying suddenly part way through the programme's long run, despite being one of the youngest cast members.

It was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft based partly on Jimmy Croft's experience in the Home Guard but also on the work of comedians such as Will Hay. Lowe played Captain Mainwaring (pronounced "Mannering"), a bank manager who is appointed leader of his town's Home Guard contingent, a motley crew which includes a spiv, a mother's boy, and several senior citizens. The humour ranged from the subtle (especially in the relationship between Mainwaring and his sergeant, Wilson, who also happens to be his deputy at the bank) to the slapstick (the antics of the elderly Lance-Corporal Jones being a prime example). Jones had several catch-phrases, including:

• Don't panic!
• They don't like it up 'em
• Permission to speak, sir

Since the comedy was dependent for its effectiveness on the platoon's failure to participate actively in World War II, opposition to their activities had to come from another quarter, and this generally showed itself in the form of the ARP Warden, played by Bill Pertwee.

Episodes

Series 1'

• The Man and the Hour
• Museum Piece
• Command Decision
• The Enemy Within the Gates
• The Showing Up of Corporal Jones
• Shooting Pains

Series 2

• Operation Kilt
• The Battle of Godfrey's Cottage
• The Loneliness of the Long Distance Walker (LOST EPISODE)
• Sgt. Wilson's Little Secret
• A Stripe for Frazer (LOST EPISODE)
• Under Fire (LOST EPISODE)