Dad's Army
- Dad's Army is off air
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Who were Dad's Army?
It's one of Britain's best-loved comedies, thanks in part to the terrific ensemble cast. Learn some facts about the talented actors behind the characters.
Private Godfrey
Though a conscientious objector, gentle soul Godfrey won the military medal as a stretcher-bearer in France during War World I. In reality, Arnold Ridley who played Godfrey saw active service in that war, but was wounded at the Somme.
Private Walker
The promising acting career of James Beck (Walker) was cut short by his tragic early death at 44 from an ulcer complaint. One of his lesser-known roles was in a remake, never shown, of a Hancock's Half Hour show - in which he co-starred with Arthur Lowe.
Private Frazer
John Laurie (Frazer) was a useful boxer in his younger days, and had trained to be an architect before taking up acting. He was a friend of the legendary Laurence Olivier, and appeared in Olivier's film versions of Shakespeare's Henry V, Hamlet and Richard III.
Private Pike
Ian Lavender (Pike) proved he wasn't such a 'stupid boy' after all when he won a celebrity edition of The Weakest Link. He donated his winnings of over £14,000 to the Addenbrooke's Hospital, where he had been successfully treated for bladder cancer.
Lance Corporal Jones
Clive Dunn (Jones) served in the Fourth Hussars in World War II, and spent four years as a PoW. With time on his hands during captivity, he discovered he had a talent for art, drawing sketches of other prisoners.
Captain Mainwaring
Mainwaring attempted to join up as soon as World War I broke out, but his poor eyesight kept him away from the frontline until two days after the Armistice. This was mirrored in real life, for Arthur Lowe (Mainwaring) tried to join the Merchant Navy, but was turned down because of his poor vision.
Sergeant Wilson
Sergeant Wilson was in the Army during World War I, but an incident with a chorus girl prevented him from being commissioned. However, John Le Mesurier (Wilson) served as a Captain on the North West Indian Frontier after World War II.
Plus... ARP Warden Hodges
Bill Pertwee (Hodges) had a varied career before entering showbusiness. His many jobs included making parts for Spitfires. Following the Second World War, he was assistant baggage boy for the Indian cricket team on their tour of England in 1946.Back to Dad's Army Homepage... Move it, move it!!
Your Comments
- Who were Dad's Army?
The main reason I watch UK Gold is because Dad's Army is repeated there. Yes, I've seen every episode before but it's one of those comedies you can watch over and over, getting a little more each time. Dad's Army has a unique combination of ingenious scripts combined with a cast that gel together magnificently.
Take Godfrey for example. Not many lines but each one a jem, and he doesn't have to speak to convey that sad, put upon look. Then there's Frazers fearsome rolling eyes, Pike's effeminate mummy's boy ways, and Jones's uncanny ability to remain just slightly out of step on parade. The deliberately camp Vicar, Walker the spiv, and nasty ARP Warden Hodges, all these are essential ingredients in a very special comedy formula that has never been eclipsed.
But of course the real star is Arthur Lowe, the grumpy, authoritarian Captain Mainwaring. Lowe's performance is so talented you actually feel very affectionate towards this horrible, miserable little meglomaniac. That's because when the chips are down he somehow manages to pull the men through. God help the Germans during WW2 if they had invaded with Mainwaring in charge, especially if they had been foolish enough to march through Timothy Whites! - Something to say? Add a comment...
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