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Museum Piece
"Museum Piece" is the second episode in the first series of the British comedy series ''Dad's Army''. It was originally transmitted on 7 August 1968. Synopsis Mainwaring and Wilson come up with an idea for getting the platoon some much needed weapons: "Operation Gun Grab". The plan is to requisition any firearms from the local museum of Historic Army Weapons – but to do so the platoon must first find a way to outwit the 88-year-old caretaker, who happens to be the father of Lance Corporal Jones. Plot It is not long after the platoon's first parade, and Mainwaring and Wilson discuss a recent exercise which involved crossing a 'demolished bridge' to cross a river. However, Pike fell in, flat on his face. Mainwaring confides in Wilson that he doesn't think he has the unthinking obedience required to make an efficient fighting unit, and is sure that one of his men told him to "get stuffed". Wilson asks Mainwaring about the weapons situation, and Mainwaring reluctantly informs hi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dad's Army
''Dad's Army'' is a British television British sitcom, sitcom about the United Kingdom's Home Guard (United Kingdom), Home Guard during the World War II, Second World War. It was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft (TV producer), David Croft, and originally broadcast on BBC One, BBC1 from 31 July 1968 to 13 November 1977. It ran for nine series and 80 episodes in total; a Dad's Army (1971 film), feature film released in 1971, a stage show and a radio version based on the television scripts were also produced. The series regularly gained audiences of 18 million viewers and is still shown internationally. The Home Guard consisted of local volunteers otherwise ineligible for military service, either because of age (hence the title ''Dad's Army''), medical reasons or by being in Reserved occupation, professions exempt from conscription. Most of the platoon members in ''Dad's Army'' are over military age and the series stars several older British actors, including Arnold Ridley, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sergeant Wilson
Sergeant Arthur Wilson is a fictional British Home Guard, Home Guard platoon sergeant and Bank teller, bank chief clerk, first portrayed by John Le Mesurier in the BBC television sitcom ''Dad's Army''. Background Wilson was born in 1887, and is carefree, cheerful and well-spoken, although more complex than he first seems. He is chief clerk of the Walmington-on-Sea bank and captain of the cricket club. He has an upper-middle-class background; his uncle was a peer of the realm, his father had a career in the City of London, and Wilson often recalls fond memories of his nanny. He was educated at a Public school (United Kingdom), public school named Meadow Bridge, having failed the entrance exam for Harrow School, Harrow.Webber, Perry, Croft, p.228 He was destined for the Indian Civil Service (British India), Indian Civil Service but failed that exam too. The final episode reveals Wilson to have reached the rank of captain in the Middlesex Regiment whilst serving in the First World ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Caroline Dowdeswell
Caroline Dowdeswell (born 7 March 1945, Oldham, Lancashire) is a former English television actress. Career She attended theatre school from age 12 and joined the Bromley Rep at 17. Dowdeswell first appeared on television in 1961, and her first role was in ''The Villains'' in 1964. Her television career includes appearances in ''Crossroads''; '' Softly, Softly''; ''Z-Cars''; ''Our's Is A Nice House''; ''Dad's Army'' in the recurring role of Janet King; ''On The Buses''; ''Casanova'' and ''Man About The House''. She also played Sandra in the films ''On the Buses'' and ''Mutiny on the Buses''. She retired from acting in 1978 and now works in the publishing industry. Acting Credits *1964: The Villains - The Blonde - 1 episode *1966: You Can’t Win - Cynthia Atkinson - 1 episode *1966: North and South - Edith Shaw - 2 episodes *1966: Meet the Wife - Saleslady - 1 episode *1966: Vendetta - WPC69 - 1 episode *1967: United! - Millicent Henbro - 1 episode *1967: ITV Play of the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mavis Pike
''Dad's Army'' is a British television sitcom about the United Kingdom's Home Guard during the Second World War. It was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft, and originally broadcast on BBC1 from 31 July 1968 to 13 November 1977. It ran for nine series and 80 episodes in total; a feature film released in 1971, a stage show and a radio version based on the television scripts were also produced. The series regularly gained audiences of 18 million viewers and is still shown internationally. The Home Guard consisted of local volunteers otherwise ineligible for military service, either because of age (hence the title ''Dad's Army''), medical reasons or by being in professions exempt from conscription. Most of the platoon members in ''Dad's Army'' are over military age and the series stars several older British actors, including Arnold Ridley, John Laurie, Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier. Younger members of the cast included Ian Lavender, Clive Dunn (who, despite being one of t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Janet Davies (actress)
Janet Kathleen Davies (14 September 1927 – 22 September 1986) was an English actress best known for her recurring role as Mrs. Pike in the long-running sitcom ''Dad's Army''. Although mainly remembered for her role in ''Dad's Army'', appearing in 30 episodes of the series, she also featured in many other television and film roles including '' Dixon of Dock Green'', ''The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin'', '' All Creatures Great and Small'', ''Last of the Summer Wine'', ''Z-Cars'', ''The Citadel'', ''Pride and Prejudice'', ''Open All Hours'', ''Are You Being Served?'', and in the films '' The Ghost Goes Gear'' (1966) and '' Interlude'' (1968). When she was not acting, Davies exploited her typing and shorthand training by working with various theatrical agencies. She was married to the actor Ian Gardiner, who was best known for having played Reginald Molehusband in a Central Office of Information public information film in the 1960s. She died on 22 September 1986, aged 5 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Private Pike
Private Frank Pike is a fictional Home Guard private and junior bank clerk, first portrayed by actor Ian Lavender in the BBC television sitcom ''Dad's Army''. He was appointed as the platoon's information officer by Captain Mainwaring in The Man and the Hour. He is frequently referred to by Captain Mainwaring as "stupid boy". Personality Pike was born in 1922, and is the youngest of the Walmington-on-Sea platoon. Aged 17 when the series begins, he is not old enough to join the army, although presumably he has reached, or is nearing, his 18th birthday when he is about to receive call-up papers in When You've Got to Go; in the event, it is revealed that he has a rare blood type that excludes him from military service. In "War Dance", it is revealed to Mainwaring from Wilson that Pike "is going on 19". He lives in the shadow of his bossy and over-protective mother, Mavis Pike, who is in a relationship with Sergeant Wilson. Wilson is referred to by Pike as "Uncle Arthur" and is h ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ian Lavender
Arthur Ian Lavender (born 16 February 1946) is an English stage, film and television actor. He is best known for his role as Private Pike in the BBC sitcom ''Dad's Army'', and is the last surviving major cast member of the series following the death of Frank Williams in 2022. Early life Lavender was born in Birmingham, England. He attended Bournville Boys Technical School (later Bournville Grammar-Technical School for Boys) where he appeared in many school dramatic productions. From there he went to the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, with the assistance of a grant from the City of Birmingham. Following his graduation in 1967 he appeared on stage in Canterbury. Career His first television appearance was as the lead in a Rediffusion play entitled ''Half Hour Story: Flowers at my Feet'' in 1968. ''Dad's Army'' In 1968, aged 22, Lavender was cast as Private Frank Pike, the youngest member and “stupid boy” of the platoon in the BBC sitcom ''Dad's Army''. This made him a hous ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Private Godfrey
Private Charles Godfrey MM is a fictional Home Guard platoon member, first portrayed by Arnold Ridley in the BBC television sitcom ''Dad's Army''. and in the 1971 ''Dad's Army'' film. He is retired and was previously a tailor for the Civil Service Stores or the Army & Navy Stores. Godfrey was a conscientious objector during the First World War, yet he did work as a stretcher bearer with the Royal Army Medical Corps and earned a Military Medal for taking the wounded off the battle field at the Battle of the Somme. This has earned him great respect among the platoon members and resulted in him being appointed as the First Aid supervisor. Ridley himself fought at the Battle of the Somme during the First World War. Personality Godfrey was born in 1871, and is a gentle, mild-mannered and kindly old gentleman, though more complex than at first evident. He is the only member of the platoon who has retired. In the episode " Branded" it is revealed that he was a conscientious object ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Arnold Ridley
William Arnold Ridley, OBE (7 January 1896 – 12 March 1984) was an English playwright and actor, earlier in his career known for writing the play '' The Ghost Train'' and later in life in the British TV sitcom ''Dad's Army'' (1968–1977) as the elderly bumbling Private Godfrey, as well as in spin-offs including the feature film version and the stage production. He is the great-uncle of actress Daisy Ridley. Early life William Arnold Ridley was born in Walcot, Bath, Somerset, England, the son of Rosa Caroline (née Morrish, 1870–1956) and William Robert Ridley (1871–1931). His father was a gymnastics instructor and ran a boot and shoe shop. He attended the Clarendon School and the Bath City Secondary School where he was a keen sportsman. A graduate of the University of Bristol, he studied at the Education Department, and played Hamlet in a student production. Ridley undertook teaching practice at an Elementary School in Bristol. Military service Ridley was a student ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Private Walker
Private Joe Walker is a fictional black market spiv (or Wholesales Supplier, as he politely puts it) and Home Guard platoon member, first portrayed by actor James Beck in the BBC television sitcom ''Dad's Army''. In real life, Beck died suddenly on 6 August 1973. The character of Walker was one of the seven primary characters in the show. Following his character's departure (Walker was last mentioned in the episode "The Recruit", although he does not appear in this episode) the series attempted to replace him with a war reporter called Private Cheeseman (played by Talfryn Thomas), who had made a previous cameo appearance in the episode "My British Buddy". Personality Walker is the second-youngest member of the platoon, the youngest being Private Pike, and speaks with a cockney accent. A pleasant and amiable (if slightly shifty) personality, Walker is nevertheless a constant thorn in Captain Mainwaring's side, for he doesn't share Mainwaring's idealism, and makes cheeky and wit ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
James Beck
Stanley James Carroll Beck (21 February 1929 – 6 August 1973) was an English actor who played the role of Private Walker, a cockney spiv, in the BBC sitcom ''Dad's Army'' from the show's beginning in 1968 until his sudden death in 1973. Early life Beck was born on 21 February 1929 in Islington, North London, and attended Popham Road Primary School. His childhood was hard, with his father frequently unemployed and his mother making artificial flowers to provide a small income. After attending Saint Martin's School of Art and doing his national service as a physical training instructor in the British Army, Beck became an actor. Prior to his broadcast roles he spent several seasons with the Unicorn Players based in Paignton, Devon. His early broadcast roles included Charlie Bell in an episode of ''Dr Finlay's Casebook'' (Series 1 episode 4, "Conduct Unbecoming", 1962), and Shylock in ''The Merchant of Venice'' in 1963, for which he gained positive reviews. He concentrated on ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Private Frazer
Private James Frazer is a fictional Home Guard platoon member and undertaker, first portrayed by John Laurie in the BBC television sitcom ''Dad's Army''. He is noted for his catchphrases "We're doomed!" and "Rubbish!" Personality Frazer was born in 1872 and is a dour, trouble-stirring, exaggerating, wild-eyed Scottish undertakerWebber, Perry, Croft, p. 75 (formerly the keeper of a philatelist's shop with a hobby of making coffins). He hails from the "wild and lonely" Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides,Webber, Perry, Croft, p. 228 an apparently desolate and bleak place that appears to have informed most of his pessimistic, dark tendencies. He is an old sailor and traveller who claims to have had many adventures in the south seas, describing in Uninvited Guests how an expedition with a friend named Jethro led to Jethro being cursed to die by a witch doctor for stealing a ruby from a jungle temple, and recounting in Don't Forget the Diver how another friend, Wally Stuart, died ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
