Elders of comedy
This series from the 60s and 70s is considered to be one of the greatest sitcoms of all time and a master class in casting and characterisation. Plus it's damn funny. Our nation fell in love with each sublimely defined character, from the decidedly unstable Lance Corporal Jones (Clive Dunn) and the whining Private Pike (Ian Lavender) to the demure Sergeant Wilson (the legendary John Le Mesurier) and the plain senile Private Godfrey (Arnold Ridley). Holding the whole affair together is the sublime Arthur Lowe as the pompous Mainwaring, constantly battling his own inadequacies with bluff and self-importance.

What's my line?
It seems you can't have a memorable sitcom without memorable catchphrases, and Dad's Army has enough of them to coax Roy Walker back into the game show business. Jones has his maniacal "don't panic!" which he barks at everyone, though he was the only one in any sort of panic. Private Frazer (John Laurie) could be relied on to be the voice of temperate reason with his life-affirming "we're doomed". Most memorable is Mainwaring's withering stare directed at Pike, followed by the immortal line "stupid boy".

Preparing for the role
Dad's Army was the brainchild of David Croft and actor/writer Jimmy Perry (who had served in the Home Guard at Watford). At first the BBC turned down the series. The programme controller at the time, Paul Fox, felt that you shouldn't take the mickey out of England's finest hour. Several of the cast had had experience in the army, but only John Laurie had served in the Home Guard. Arthur Lowe had been a Sergeant Major in the second world war while John Le Mesurier had served in the Royal Armoured Corps.

Class war
As with many classic British comedies, the core of the show lies in its blisteringly accurate depiction of class. It would take just one "do you think that's awfully wise, Sir?" from the nobly-born Sergeant Wilson to undermine any authority the working-class Captain Mainwaring possessed. Best of all, Wilson had no interest in leading the men. He was far too busy being suave!

Uniquely British
American remakes of British sitcoms tend to be less than stunning, and Dad's Army proved no exception. Rear Guard, the US version of the show, was screened in America by ABC on 10th August 1976, but failed to make it past the pilot stage. Possibly because the United States was never seriously in danger of military invasion, the nuance of a ragged bunch of senile old fogies defending their homeland may have been lost.

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