Dads Army, tv series and feature film

[stuart.uk]

Not many British tv shows transfered to the big screen were any good, particulary sit-coms. Dads Army was the exception. it is often repeated, but never dates. the reason is IMO simple, it was set in WW2 about a platoon of The Home Gaurd, a group of older guys as in 'Col Blimp' defending the home front from potential Nazi invasion

The group was led by Captain Mannering, an unhappilly married man and manager of the local bank. he was a pompos idiot, but nonetheless very brave man. his catchphrase when speaking to Pike 'You Stupid Boy'

then there was Sargeant Arthur Wilson, Mannering's no-2 at the bank and to his boss' dismay more intelligent than he, though lacking in ambition, was played by the most famous of the group as far as international films are concerned, John le Mesurier

Lance Corporal Jones, the elderly butcher, played by the much younger Clive Dunn, which would explain why he was able to do all those difficult stunts. Jones was an experienced soldier of the 19th Century and WW1. his catchphrase was 'Don't Panic' while he himself was hysterical

Jock Fraser, was an ex-naval, turned undertaking Scotsman, played by 39 Steps star John Laurie. his catchphrase was 'We're Doomed'

Private Godfrey was played by elderly playwright Arnold Ridley

Private Joe Walker, a spiv, was played by James Beck, who sadly died during the series run at 46

Private Frank Pike, an innocent teenage bank clerk in Mannering's bank, played by Ian Lavender, who along with Dunn are the two last suriving members of the group

Bud Flanagan of the war-time double act Flanagan and Allen and The Crazy Gang, sang the theme song, Who Do You Think You're Kidding Mr. Hitler, just before his death. the song also partly featured on the sountrack of the movie version

[stuart.uk]

Here's the dvd of the movie of Dads Army

Amazon.co.uk: Dad's Army - The Movie [1971]: Arthur Lowe, John Le ...
Even more great dads army I love dads army. The series are brilliant and this movie ... This movie features the cast of Dad's Army at their very best. In a movie which begins when ...

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[charliechaplinfan]

Dad's Army is repeated ad naseum isn't it. It does hold up well.

Has it ever had an airing in the USA or is it a strictly British phenomenon?

[stuart.uk]

Alison

Did you see the doc on John le Mesurier at the weekend. His lovelife had some unusual moments in it.

After he discovered 2nd wife Hattie Jacques had a new lover he continued to live with them, apparently not holding any grudges and not really bothering about finding a new place to live.

Then he met his next wife Joan, through her ex-husband Mark Eden, who was also a close mate of his. Then Joan had an affair with John's closest friend comedy actor Tony Hancock. John so valued both relationships, he just accepted the situation. However, Tony was an alcoholic and Joan went back to John. However, Joan secretly carried on seeing Tony, but when he went to Austraila Tony's career took a down turn, plus the fact there was a postal strike that meant her letters weren't reaching him, and he committed suicide. John had to break the news of Tony's death to his wife and she went into hysterics. Unable to cope he contacted his other mate Mark Eden, Joan's ex to help him out. However, John and Joan remained together for about another 18-yrs

[charliechaplinfan]

I did see some of that documentary but couldn't take it all in as the kids were up and I only caught bits of it. This was the same documentary that talked about his health problems a bad liver I think. He was advised to give up the booze, did so and became so thin and ill looking he went back on the booze and lived another 9 years.

He's my favorite Dad's Army veteran