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Mum's Army
"Mum's Army" is the ninth episode of the fourth series of the British comedy series ''Dad's Army''. It was originally transmitted on Friday 20 November 1970. Synopsis Mainwaring's plans to involve the local women in the platoon become rather too personal. Plot Mainwaring is convening a parade, and is growing fed up with Jones' slowness. Walker suggests nodding his head whenever he wants them to come to attention, and Jones will understand. Mainwaring dismisses this, but Jones takes it on board, standing to attention and standing at ease whenever Mainwaring nods his head. Mainwaring informs the platoon that the women of Walmington-on-Sea want to join their platoon to help the war effort. He and Wilson thought that this was a good idea, as it would allow the men of the platoon to "grapple" with the enemy. Mainwaring suggests that they could serve in the canteen, and Frazer adds that they could sew on their jacket buttons. The platoon are asked to bring as many female volunteers as ... [...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 Dad's Army (stage show), stage show and a Dad's Army#Radio series, 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 seve ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Captain Mainwaring
Captain George Mainwaring () is a fictional Home Guard captain, first portrayed by Arthur Lowe in the BBC television sitcom ''Dad's Army''. In the 2016 film he is played by Toby Jones and in the 2019 remake of three missing episodes he is played by Kevin McNally. Mainwaring is the bank manager and Home Guard platoon commander, in the fictional seaside town of Walmington-on-Sea during the Second World War. He is considered a classic British comic character owing to the continuing currency of ''Dad's Army'' via regular repeats and Lowe's portrayal. Many of his quotes, such as, "You stupid boy!", are engrained in British popular culture. In a 2001 Channel 4 poll Captain Mainwaring was ranked 21st on their list of the 100 Greatest TV Characters. Personality Mainwaring was born in 1885 to Edmund Mainwaring and is a pompous, blustering figure with an overdeveloped sense of his importance, fuelled by his social status in Walmington-on-Sea as the bank manager and his status as cap ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Carmen Silvera
Carmen Blanche Silvera (2 June 1922 – 3 August 2002) was a British actress. Born in Canada of Spanish descent, she moved to Coventry, England, with her family when she was a child. She appeared on television regularly in the 1960s, and achieved mainstream fame in the 1980s with her starring role in the British television sitcom '''Allo 'Allo!'' as Edith Artois. Early life During World War II, Silvera was evacuated to Montreal and narrowly escaped death when, at the last minute, her name was taken off the passenger list of the liner that was sunk by the enemy shortly afterwards. In Canada, she took classes with the Ballets Russes and appeared in three of its productions. On her return to Britain, she felt called to acting and trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, before gaining experience in repertory theatre. Career Silvera first made her name as a television actress in the 1960s British police drama ''Z-Cars'' in 1962, going on to appear as Camilla Hope ... [...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. He is aged 17 when the series begins, and as such, 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 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ian Lavender
Arthur Ian Lavender (16 February 1946 – 2 February 2024) was an English stage, film and television actor. He is best known for his role as Private Pike in ''Dad's Army'', a BBC sitcom set during World War II, of which he was the last surviving main cast member. Early life Arthur Ian Lavender was born to Edward and Kathleen (nee Johnson) Lavender in Birmingham, England on 16 February 1946. 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 Lavender's 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" o ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Private Godfrey
Private Charles Godfrey MM is a fictional Home Guard soldier, first portrayed by Arnold Ridley in the British television sitcom ''Dad's Army''. 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 objector in the First World War. This revel ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Arnold Ridley
William Arnold Ridley (7 January 1896 – 12 March 1984) was an English playwright and actor, known early in his career for writing the 1925 play '' The Ghost Train'' and later in life for the British television sitcom ''Dad's Army'' (1968–77), in which he played the elderly, bumbling Private Godfrey. He also appeared in such ''Dad's Army'' spin-offs as the feature film version and the stage production. 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 in their 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 t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Private Walker
Private Joe Walker is a fictional black market spiv (or "wholesales supplier", as he describes it) and Home Guard platoon member, first portrayed by James Beck in the British television sitcom ''Dad's Army''. Appearing in the first six series, Walker was one of the seven primary characters in ''Dad's Army''. Concept and creation Scriptwriter Jimmy Perry originally intended to play the part of Private Walker himself, but was advised against it by his co-writer David Croft. The character was based on a spiv character created and performed by British comedian and actor Arthur English. Characterisation A cockney, Walker was born in 1906, and raised in Plaistow, East London. He is the second-youngest member of the platoon, the youngest being Private Pike. A pleasant and amiable, if slightly shifty, personality, Walker is nevertheless a constant thorn in Captain Mainwaring's side, for he does not share Mainwaring's idealism. However, despite this, he is a good-natured man, who ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
James Beck
Stanley James Carroll Beck (21 February 1929 – 6 August 1973) was an English television actor. He appeared in a number of programmes, but is best known for 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. After attending Saint Martin's School of Art and doing his Conscription in the United Kingdom #After 1945, national service as a physical training instructor in the British Army, Beck became an actor. Career Theatre In 1949, Beck made his career acting debut in ''Little Lambs Eat Ivy'' at the Granville Theatre, Ramsgate. and followed in ''Peace Comes to Peckham'' and ''Miranda'', at the same venue later that year. In 1954, he starred in ''A Murder Has Been Arranged'' at Bridgwater Town Hall. He joined the 'Unicorn Players', and performed in seven different plays at th ... [...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!" Characterisation It is mentioned that Frazer was born in 1882 and is portrayed as a dour, trouble-stirring, exaggerating, wild-eyed Scottish undertaker (formerly the keeper of a philatelist's shop with a hobby of making coffins), who possesses a curious fascination with women who have "big, strong thighs."Webber, Perry, Croft, p. 75 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. It is stated that during the First World War, Frazer served as chief petty officer in the Royal Navy, and was a cook on board HMS ''Defiant'' (a fictional warship) during the Battle of Jutland. A fine marksman, he served as a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
John Laurie
John Paton Laurie (25 March 1897 – 23 June 1980) was a Scottish stage, film, and television actor. He appeared in scores of feature films with directors including Alfred Hitchcock, David Lean, Michael Powell and Laurence Olivier, generally playing memorable small or supporting roles. As a stage actor, he was cast in Shakespearean roles and was a speaker of verse, especially of Robert Burns. He is also well known for his role in the sitcom ''Dad's Army'' (1968–1977) as Private Frazer, a member of the Home Guard. Early life Laurie was born on 25 March 1897 in Dumfries to William Laurie (1856–1903), a clerk in a tweed mill and later a hatter and hosier, and Jessie Ann Laurie (''née'' Brown; 1858–1935). He attended grammar school at Dumfries Academy, then abandoned a career in architecture to serve in the First World War as a member of the Honourable Artillery Company. Upon demobilisation he trained to become an actor under Elsie Fogerty at the Central School of Speech ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lance Corporal Jones
Lance Corporal Jack Jones is a fictional British Home Guard, Home Guard platoon lance corporal and veteran of the British Empire, first portrayed by Clive Dunn in the BBC television sitcom ''Dad's Army''. His catchphrases are "Don't panic!", "Permission to speak, sir?" and "They don't like it up 'em!". Jones also often recounts, at length, his past military experiences, particularly those in Sudan and India and gives a glimpse to the military traditions and events in the concluding years of the 19th century. Fictional biography The backstory invented for Jones suggests that he was born in 1870 in Walmington-on-Sea, the son of George Jones, who by the start of World War II is the 88-year-old caretaker of the Peabody Museum of Historical Army Weapons. In "The Showing Up of Corporal Jones", when Major Regan asks him his age, Jones replies sixty, but tells Captain Mainwaring later in the same episode his actual age, which is seventy. Jack Jones joined the army as a Drummer boy (milit ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
