I won't bother describing 'Dad's Army' in detail as its been covered extensively elsewhere. Quite simply, its one of the best comedy series ever made. Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier headed a stellar cast of comedy actors which included Clive Dunn, James Beck, Ian Lavender, John Laurie ( my favourite ), Arnold Ridley, Janet Davies, Edward Sinclair and Pamela Cundell. Not forgetting the marvellous Bill Pertwee as 'A.R.P. Hodges', Back in the '60's/'70's, 'Dad's Army' was watched by two different audiences for two different reasons - older viewers found it unbearably nostalgic, with its slightly rose-tinted ( though not inaccurate ) view of wartime England, whilst younger viewers ( of whom I was one ) simply loved it for its occasional forays into slapstick comedy.
The show was created and written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft. Perry had served in The Home Guard ( he was the role model for 'Pike' ) so he was able to bring much authenticity to the scripts. He later cited the classic Will Hay film 'Oh Mr.Porter' ( pompous man, old man, stupid boy ) as a major source of inspiration, and its easy to see what he meant.
The fine cast were ably served by the hilariously funny scripts. Probably the best remembered episode is 'The Deadly Attachment' in which Philip Madoc played the captain of a captured U-Boat crew, if only for the legendary 'Don't Tell Him, Pike!' scene. My personal favourite, however, was 'Battle Of The Giants'.
After James Beck tragically died mid-way through the series, they brought in Talfryn Thomas as reporter 'Mr.Cheeseman'. Personally, I liked him, but it was felt he added nothing to the show and so he was dropped.
Its testament to the quality of 'Dad's Army' that its still being repeated forty years later. Contrary to myth, the show's fans are not all old age pensioners. I wasn't alive when the Second World War happened, but I love the show because I know great comedy when I see it.
The show was created and written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft. Perry had served in The Home Guard ( he was the role model for 'Pike' ) so he was able to bring much authenticity to the scripts. He later cited the classic Will Hay film 'Oh Mr.Porter' ( pompous man, old man, stupid boy ) as a major source of inspiration, and its easy to see what he meant.
The fine cast were ably served by the hilariously funny scripts. Probably the best remembered episode is 'The Deadly Attachment' in which Philip Madoc played the captain of a captured U-Boat crew, if only for the legendary 'Don't Tell Him, Pike!' scene. My personal favourite, however, was 'Battle Of The Giants'.
After James Beck tragically died mid-way through the series, they brought in Talfryn Thomas as reporter 'Mr.Cheeseman'. Personally, I liked him, but it was felt he added nothing to the show and so he was dropped.
Its testament to the quality of 'Dad's Army' that its still being repeated forty years later. Contrary to myth, the show's fans are not all old age pensioners. I wasn't alive when the Second World War happened, but I love the show because I know great comedy when I see it.