FREE DADS ARMY: THE STORY OF A VERY BRITISH COMEDY PDF

Graham McCann | 304 pages | 02 Sep 2002 | HarperCollins Publishers | 9781841153094 | English | , United Kingdom Dad's Army - BBC1 Sitcom - British Comedy Guide

The sitcom ran for nine series and 80 episodes in total; there was also a radio version based Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy the television scripts, a feature film and a stage show. The series regularly gained audiences of 18 million viewers, and is still repeated worldwide. The Home Guard consisted of local volunteers otherwise ineligible for military service, either because of age hence the title Dad's Army or by being in Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy exempt from conscription. Younger members of the cast included Ian LavenderClive Dunn who played the oldest guardsman, Lance Corporal Jones, despite being one of the Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy cast membersand who died suddenly during production of the sixth series in It had been placed 13th in a list of the Greatest British Television Programmes drawn up by the British Film Institute in and voted for by industry professionals. The series has influenced British popular culturewith its catchphrases and characters being well known. Perry was only 17 years old when he joined the 10th Hertfordshire Battalion. His mother did not like him being out at night, and feared he might catch cold; he partly resembled the character of . Film historian Jeffrey Richards has cited Lancastrian comedian Robb Wilton as a key influence; [9] he portrayed a work-shy husband who joined the Home Guard in numerous comic sketches during WW2. Perry wrote the first script and gave it to David Croft while working as a minor in the Croft-produced sitcom Hugh and Ioriginally intending the role of the spivlater called Walker, to be his own. It was he who renamed the show Dad's Army. He did not like Brightsea-on-Sea, so the location was changed to Walmington-on-Sea. He also suggested adding a Scot. had produced the original idea but needed an experienced man to see it through. Mills suggested David Croftand so their partnership began. When an episode was shown to members of the public to gauge audience reaction prior to broadcast of the first series, the majority of the audience thought it was very poor. The production team put the report containing the negative comments at the bottom of David Croft Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy in-tray. He only saw it several months later, [12] after the series had been broadcast and had received great Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy. The show is set in the fictional seaside town of Walmington-on-Seaon the south coast of . The first series has a loose narrative thread, with 's platoon being formed and equipped, initially with wooden guns and LDV armbands, later Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy with full army uniforms; the platoon is part of the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment. The first episode, " ", begins with a scene set in the "present day" ofin which Mainwaring addresses his old platoon as part of the contemporary '" I'm Backing Britain " campaign. The prologue opening was a condition imposed after initial concerns from Paul Foxthe BBC1 controller, that it belittled the efforts of the Home Guard. Later episodes are largely self-contained, albeit referring to previous events and with additional character development. As the comedy in many ways relies on the platoon's lack of participation in the Second World War, opposition to their activities has to come from another quarter and this is generally provided by Air Raid Precautions ARP Warden Hodges, and sometimes by the verger of the local church St Aldhelm's or by Captain Square and the neighbouring Eastgate Home Guard platoon. The group does have some encounters related to the enemy, such as downed German planes, a Luftwaffe pilot who parachutes into the town's clock tower, a U-boat crew and discarded parachutes that may have been German; a Viennese ornithologist appears in " " and IRA suspects appear in " Absent Friends ". The humour ranges from the subtle especially the class -reversed relationship between grammar school- educated Mainwaring, the local bank manager, and public school-educated Wilson, his deputy at the bank to the slapstick the antics of the elderly Jones being a prime example. Jones had several catchphrasesincluding "Don't panic! Mainwaring says "You stupid boy" to Pike in many episodes. The early series occasionally include darker humour, reflecting that, especially early in the war, the Home Guard was woefully under-equipped but was still willing to have a crack at the Wehrmacht. For instance, in the episode Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy The Battle of Godfrey's Cottage ", the platoon believes the enemy has invaded Britain. Mainwaring, Godfrey, Frazer and Jones along with Godfrey's sisters, who are completely unaware of the invasion decide to stay at the cottage to delay the German advance, buying the regular army time to arrive with reinforcements; "It'll probably be the end of us, but we're ready for that, aren't we, men? Larry Martyn appeared as an unnamed Private in four episodes, and later took over the part of Walker in the radio series following the death of James Beck. The former cricketer Fred Trueman appeared in " ". The show's opening titles were originally intended to feature footage of refugees and Nazi troops, to illustrate the threat faced by the Home Guard. There were two different versions of the closing credits for the show. The first version, used in Series 1 and 2, simply showed footage of the main cast superimposed over a still photograph, with the crew credits rolling over a black background. The more familiar closing credits, introduced in Series 3, were a homage to the end credits of the film The Way Ahead which had covered the training of a platoon during the war. In both instances, each character is shown as they walk across a smoke-filled battlefield. One of the in Dad's ArmyJohn Laurie, also appeared in that film and his performance in the end credits of The Way Ahead appears to be copied in the sitcom. The show's theme tune, " Who do you think you are kidding, Mr Hitler? It was the only pastiche in the series, as the other music used was contemporary to the s. Perry wrote the lyrics himself and composed the music with Derek Taverner. Flanagan died less than a year after the recording. At the time it was widely believed to be a wartime song. The music over the opening credits was recorded at Riverside Studios, being accompanied by the Orchestra of the Band of the Coldstream Guards. The closing credits feature Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy instrumental march version of the song played by the Band of the Coldstream Guards conducted by Captain later Lieutenant Colonel Trevor L. Sharpe, ending with the air-raid warning siren sounding all-clear. It is accompanied by a style of credits that became a trademark of David Croft: the caption "You have been watching", followed by vignettes of the Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy cast. The series also contains genuine wartime and period songs between scenes, usually brief quotations that have some reference to the theme of the episode or the scene. Many appear on the CD soundtrack issued by CD41, being the same versions used in the series. The television series lasted nine series and was broadcast over nine years, with 80 episodes in total, including three Christmas specials and an hour-long special. At its peak, the programme regularly gained audiences of The first two series were recorded and screened in black and white, while Series 3 to 9 were recorded and screened in colour. Even so, one episode in Series 3, Room at the Bottomformerly only survived in black and white and remains on the official DVDs in this form. This episode has benefited from colour recovery technology, using a buried colour signal chroma dots in the black-and-white telerecording to restore the episode back to colour and was transmitted on 13 December on BBC Two. Dad's Army was less affected than most from the wiping of videotapebut three second-series episodes remain missing: episode 9 " The Loneliness of the Long Distance Walker ", episode 11 " A Stripe for Frazer " and episode 12 "Under Fire". All three missing episodes were among those remade for BBC Radio with most of the original cast, adapted from the original TV scripts. Two further series 2 episodes were believed lost until Two of the three missing episodes have since been performed as part of the latest stage show. The soundtrack of "A Stripe for Frazer" has been mixed with animation to replace the missing images. InUKTV announced plans to recreate the three missing episodes for broadcast on its Gold channel. Mercury Productions, the company responsible for Saluting Dad's ArmyGold's 50th anniversary tribute series, produced the episodes, which were directed by Ben Kellett. The recreations were broadcast in Augustcoinciding with the 50th anniversary of their original broadcast on the BBC. Inin common with many British sitcoms of that era, Dad's Army was made into a feature film. Backers Columbia Pictures imposed arbitrary changes, such as recasting Liz Fraser as Mavis Pike and filming outdoors in Chalfont St GilesBuckinghamshire rather than in Norfolkwhich made the cast unhappy. The director, Norman Cohenwhose idea it was Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy make the film, was nearly sacked by the studio. Jimmy Perry and David Croft wrote the original Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy. This was expanded by Cohen to try to make it more cinematic; Columbia executives made more changes to plot and pacing. As finally realised, two-thirds of the film consists of the creation of the platoon — this was the contribution of Perry and Croft, and differs in a number of ways from the formation of the platoon as seen in the first series of the television version — and the final third shows the platoon in action, rescuing hostages from the church hall where they had been held captive by the crewmen of a downed German aircraft. Neither the cast nor Perry and Croft were happy with the result. Perry argued for changes to try to reproduce the style of Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy television series, but with mixed results. Filming took place from 10 Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy to 25 September at and other locations. After shooting the film, the cast returned to working on the fourth television series. Critical reviews were mixed, but it performed well at the UK box office. Discussions were held Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy a possible sequel, to be called Dad's Army and the Secret U- Boat Basebut the project never came to fruition. The film was mostly made on location in Yorkshire. It opened in February to mainly negative reviews. In Dad's Army transferred to the stage as a revue, with songs, familiar scenes from the show and individual "turns" for cast members. It was created by Roger Redfarn, who shared the same agent as the sitcom writers. Most of the principal cast transferred with it, with the exception of he was replaced by Hamish Roughead. After cuts and revisions, the show transferred to London's West End and opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 2 October On the opening night there was a surprise appearance by Chesney Allensinging the old Flanagan and Allen song Hometown with . The show ran Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy the West End until 21 Februarydisrupted twice by bomb scares and then toured the country until 4 September was replaced for half the tour by Jack Haig David Croft's original first choice for the role of Corporal Jones on television. Jeffrey Hollandwho went on to star in several later Croft sitcoms, also had a number of roles in the production. Several sections of this stage show were filmed and have subsequently been included as extras on the final Dad's Army DVD. Between them, the pair voiced the entire cast of Dad's Armyincluding incidental characters. The show was well Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy critics and the David Croft estate for its respectful and uncanny performances. Inthe production changed its name to Dad's Army Radio Show and continues to tour nationally throughout the UK until the end of Many of the TV episodes were remade for BBC Radio 4 with the original cast, although other actors played Walker after James Beck's death which took place soon after recording and before transmission of the first radio series. These radio versions were adapted from the original television scripts by and Michael Knowlesand featured John Snagge as a newsreader, who set the scene for each episode. The first episode was based on the revised version of events seen in the opening of the film version, rather than on the TV pilot. The entire radio series has been released on CD. Knowles and Snoad also developed a radio series, It Sticks Out Half a Milewhich told what happened to some of the Dad's Army characters after the war. It was originally intended to star Arthur Lowe and , reprising their Dad's Army roles, but Lowe died after recording the pilot episode inso and were brought in to replace him. Ironically, if Arthur Lowe had lived the series might never have been made, as the illness from which he suffered towards the end of his career badly affected his voice, which led to an initial decision not to commission it. In the event the revised cast recorded a episode series. This might have led to more episodes and a second series, had it not been for the sudden death of John Le Mesurier in November The cast appeared in a public information filmin character but set in the modern day, showing how to cross the road safely at Pelican crossings. Dad's Army - Wikipedia

Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Want to Read saving…. Want to Read Currently Reading Read. Other editions. Enlarge cover. Error rating book. Refresh and try Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy. Open Preview See a Problem? Details if other :. Thanks for telling us about the problem. Return to Book Page. When we laugh at Dad's Army we laugh at ourselves, and more than 30 years after it was first broadcast, millions of us are still laughing—whenever and wherever it is repeated. With contributions from the people who planned, produced, Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy performed in the sitcom, and material drawn from the BBC archives, acclaimed author Graham McCann has written the definitive story of a v When we laugh at Dad's Army we laugh at ourselves, and more than 30 years after it was first broadcast, millions of us are still laughing—whenever and wherever it is repeated. With contributions from the people who planned, produced, and performed in the sitcom, and material drawn from the BBC archives, acclaimed author Graham McCann has written the definitive story of a very British comedy. This is the story of a classic and its enduring appeal. Get A Copy. Paperbackpages. Published by Fourth Estate first published October 15th More Details Other Editions 2. Friend Reviews. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about Dad's Armyplease sign up. Lists with This Book. Community Reviews. Showing Average rating 4. Rating details. More filters. Sort order. Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy 10, George Fairbrother rated it it was amazing. The author's love and regard for his subject shines through in this detailed and very human account of a unique ensemble of actors who came together, almost by accident, and created something enduring and magic. It's fascinating to be taken through the development and rehearsal process, and watch as some of the actors' own personality traits come to inform the characters they play. The actors themselves, Arnold Ridley and John Laurie in particular, are fascinating in their own right, and it's po The author's love and regard Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy his subject shines through in this detailed and very human account of a unique ensemble of actors who came together, almost by accident, and created something enduring and magic. The actors themselves, Arnold Ridley and John Laurie in particular, are fascinating in their own right, and it's poignant to read of their smoldering anger over the Great War even fifty years on. This is a great read, and one that you can go back to time and again, select a random page and enjoy it just as much as the first time. Aug 15, Kay Smillie rated it really liked it. A nostalgic look back at the timeless sitcom, Dad's Army, which will never age due to it's setting on the south coast of England during WW2. Everyone will have their own favourite character Fraser, a fellow Scotsman, for me and they are all well covered in here. I love how the main cast treated the extras as equals. How they all worked really well together. And how you still find it being Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy on telly to this day. Fan of the show? Buy this book. Ray Smillie. Mar Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy, Simone Retro rated it liked it. Such a charming book. May 15, Ade Bailey rated it it was amazing Shelves: culture. Classic UK TV comedy show 'about' the Home Guard in World War Two, in the programme represented by a motley crew of characters from the 'stupid boy' Pike to the octagenarian Godfrey, all led by the pompous bank manager aka Captain Mainwaring. Although this book is delightful in recalling the humour and giving biographies of the actors, and addressing the interesting aspects of production, what's best about it stems from what the great Dennis Potter said of it: " Dad's Army is made possib Classic UK TV comedy show 'about' the Home Guard in World War Two, in the programme represented by a motley crew of characters from the 'stupid boy' Pike to the octagenarian Godfrey, all led by the pompous bank manager aka Captain Mainwaring. Although this book is delightful in recalling the humour and giving biographies of the actors, and addressing the interesting aspects of production, what's best about it stems from what the great Dennis Potter said of it: " Dad's Army is made possible by the extended koke which allows the British, or more specifically the English, to turn every possible encounter into a subtle joust about status. The book is supported by many references and quotations from erudite sources - including Wittgenstein! It all revolves around Mainwaring - that bumptious little Englander who is with us today and about whom we can only feel a sort of Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy pity while at the same time ridiculing him. Jan 01, Emily Shepley rated it it was amazing. I've been a fan of the program since I was a young girl after my grandma introduced me to the Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy. Much of this book is a recount of each series and it's episodes; however, there are also many interviews and insights into the people involved in the series which offer a heartwarming and affectionate retelling of one of the best written British comedies. Aug 11, Benedict Reid added it. Very little information in this book. There was a short chapter about creating the show and then a whole lot of padding which had me screaming at the pages "But I've seen the show, that's why I'm reading the book. Don't just describe the show, give me something more! Aug 08, Gareth Suddes rated it it was amazing. Really enjoyable read. I'vemissed you and would like to write. Feb 05, Steve Jones rated it it was amazing Shelves: ww2. Love anything to do with this excellent show. I watch every episode at least once a year. Nov 14, Colin Taylor rated it it was amazing. Fascinating insight into a timeless TV series a must read for all fans of the show. Maureen Killip rated it really liked it Aug 11, Mark Cowen rated it really liked it Jul 31, Barry Williams rated it really liked it Oct 14, Paul rated it really liked it Aug 20, Lucy rated it it was amazing Nov 16, Ian Elliott rated it really liked it Jun 19, Mike rated it really liked it Oct 25, Matthew Brannigan rated it really liked it Mar 11, Emma rated it liked it Apr 14, Nicholas rated it really liked it Feb 09, Tim rated it it was amazing Feb 19, Panouououls rated it it was amazing Oct 09, Peter Moore rated it liked it Jul 20, Stephen Robert Collins rated it liked it Nov 11, Geevee rated it really liked it Apr 28, Paul rated it liked it Jul 03, Floyd Blackwood rated it it was amazing Jun 18, Stewart Ogilvie-Goddard rated it it was amazing Sep 01, Adam Tyson rated it really liked it May 11, There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Readers also enjoyed. About Graham McCann. Graham McCann. Books by Graham McCann. Escape the Present with These 24 Historical Romances. 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Beloved sitcom about the struggles of a Home Guard platoon during World War II who are fighting incompetence, age and pomposity more than Nazis. This force, first known as the Local Defence Volunteers, would soon become known as the Home Guard - but due to the vast number of elderly volunteers it also earned the nickname of "Dad's Army". Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy Mainwaring are his public school educated second-in-command and the bank's chief clerk Sergeant Arthur Wilson, and local Dads Army: The Story of a Very British Comedy, old war horse and third-in-command Lance Corporal Jack Jones. The main body of the platoon is comprised of a number of regular privates. The most notable of these are mummy's boy and bank clerk Frank Pike, pessimistic Scottish undertaker James Frazer, black market spiv Joe Walker and elderly medical orderly Charles Godfrey. As if the Germans and constant threat of invasion weren't bad enough, the platoon have their own local problems, not least from common greengrocer and despised chief ARP Warden Hodges; Pike's interfering mother Mavis who has a "relationship" with Wilson ; the vicar and verger who run the church hall where the platoon parade; and Mainwaring's terrifying but never-seen wife Elizabeth. Despite all that age, war, and their own pomposity, infighting and incompetence throws at them, these fine boys make up England's last line of defence against Nazi attack. God save them - and God help us! More description. Production Details. On this page you can:. Donate for fans BCG Pro. Already a donor or Pro user? Sign in. Sharpe play the closing theme music. The Dad's Army Museum A museum dedicated to the show is located in Thetford, where the live-action scenes filmed. IMDb Wikipedia. Supporters and subscribers get more Additional content and tools are available across the site for Supporters and BCG Pro subscribers.