Dad's Army Series One and Two - The Memorable TV DVD Review

Distributor: Roadshow Entertainment
Certificate: G | Region 4 | black and white

Writers: Jimmy Perry and David Croft
Available to buy
Extras: Yes

ANYONE IN IT WE KNOW?

Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier, Clive Dunn, Ian Lavender, John Laurie, James Beck, Arnold Ridley, Bill Pertwee.

WHAT’S IT ABOUT THEN?

The misadventures of a group of mostly elderly home guardsmen in a seaside town during the world war two; led by pompous and generally incompetent bank manager Captain Mainwaring , the group tried their best but usually managed to create chaos.

SO IS IT ANY GOOD?

Although Dad’s Army is one of the most popular shows of all time and has had many repeat screening it’s earliest black and white episodes have been rarely seen, indeed some episodes from season two are believed to have been lost forever, so it’s a real pleasure to see the shows very first season opening with a clever contemporary look at the gang as they get together for a dinner party before flashing back to preparations for war being made and bumptious Captain Mainwaring ( Arthur Lowe ) quickly establishing himself as leader of the newly formed local defense volunteers in seaside town ‘ Walmington–On–Sea, this ‘ home guard’ brigade was quickly nicknamed Dad’s Army because it was made up of men generally too old to serve in proper forces.

Even in the first episode all the classic elements are in place from the catchphrases “ stupid boy Pike”, “ they do not like it up ‘em sir” “ we’re doomed” “permission to speak sir” as well as clearly defined characters we would come to know and love, apart from the already mentioned Mainwaring there was the spiv Walker ( James Beck died quite young during the early 70s ) , the portentous undertaker Frasier ( John Laurie ) the weak bladdered first aid man Godfrey ( played by the lovely Arnold Ridgey who during the 1930s wrote many popular plays including the legendary The Ghost Train ). Then of course there was mummies boy Frank Pike ( Ian lavender) and best of all Sgt Arthur Wilson ( John Le Mesurier ), something of an aristocrat on the quiet and who was laid back and polite to the 1st degree ( “ I say would u all mind falling in” ), last by no means least was the town butcher Lance Corporal Jones ( a super Clive Dunn ).

Each week this fantastic ensemble would allow Captain Mainwaring to talk them into some hare brain defense scheme, one that generally involved Jones coming a cropper.

Great fun, this 2 disc set is made even better by the addition of the three surviving episodes from season two. These were believed lost for years until recently uncovered by dedicated researchers, also as an added bonus is the inclusion of three rare audio radio performances dating from early 70s and featuring all the regular players….brilliant stuff.

ANY SPECIAL FEATURES?

See above.