Dad's Army - Broadcast to the Empire - ...' lavender blue... dilly dilly'...

Dad's Army is a BBC television sitcom about the British Home Guard during the Second World War. Dad's Army is one of the best comedies ever written.
It was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft and broadcast on BBC television from 1968 to 1977. The sitcom ran for 9 series and 80 episodes in total, plus a radio version based on the television scripts, a feature film and a stage show. The series regularly gained audiences of 18 million viewers and is still repeated worldwide.
Cast
Capt. Mainwaring - Arthur Lowe (22 sept. 1915 - 15 april 1982)
Sgt. Athur Wilson - John Le Mesurier (5 april 1912 - 15 nov. 1983)
LCpl. Jack Jones - Clive Dunn (9 januari 1920 - 6 november 2012)
Pte James Frazer - John Laurie (25 March 1897 -- 23 June 1980)
Pte Joe Walker - James Beck (21 februari 1929 - 6 augustus 1973)
Pte. Charles Godfrey - Arnold Ridley (7 jan. 1896 - 12 maart 1984)
Pte Frank Pike - Ian Lavender (16 February 1946 - )
Warden Hodges - Bill Pertwee (21 July 1926 - 27 May 2013)
Vicar Reverend Timothy Farthing - Frank Williams (July 2 1931 - )
Verger Mr. Yeatman - Edward Sinclair (3 febr. 1914 - 29 aug. 1977)
Mrs. Fox - Pamela Cundell (15 January 1920 - 14 February 2015)
Mrs. Pike - Janet Davies (14 Sept 1927 - 22 Sept 1986)
Shirley - Wendy Richard (20 juli 1943 - 26 februari 2009)
David Croft (7 september 1922 - 27 september 2011)
Jimmy Perry (20 September 1923 - 23 October 2016)
Authenticity is vital to Perry, who remembers the time he was at Rada, rehearsing with fellow actors, when a secret onlooker turned out to be George Bernard Shaw. “He said, ‘I enjoyed your show tremendously. I laughed a lot. But you’ve got to understand one rule of comedy: you must have reality, otherwise it’s rubbish.’” In any case, thanks to its successful repeats Dad’s Army is guaranteed immortality. But to what does Perry attribute our enduring love of Captain Mainwaring and co? “It’s because we reminded the British people of their finest hour. It had wobbly back projection and cardboard scenery, but also the truth… and great artists that brought it to life.”
Simon Blackwell ‘To create comedy that generations of people genuinely love is rare, and he managed it time and again’. Perry’s work on the show - along with that of the producer, David Croft - created one of the most popular British television programmes of all time’.
Jack Dee ‘Amazing contribution to British telly. Watched Dad's Army only yesterday. Still as funny as when I watched it as a kid.’
Vicki Michelle ‘a brilliant comedy writer & true gentleman. He leaves us such a legacy’
Ian Lavender ‘Jimmy, he has been a part of my life for such a long time. ‘He was half of one amazing partnership, it brings back so many wonderful memories… lots of good times together with much laughter…’
David Schneider ‘Thanks to Jimmy Perry for the sublime Dad’s Army, the perfect sitcom, and for making me laugh for over 40 years.’
Shane Allen, BBC controller of comedy commissioning, said: ‘Jimmy Perry is a Goliath of British comedy writing. His work will be enjoyed and appreciated for many years to come’.
Miranda Hart ‘Thank you Jimmy Perry. You made our world a funnier and brighter place.’
Nigel Farage tweeted: Jimmy Perry created and co-wrote the fantastic Dad's Army, my favourite comedy of all time.'
Tom Watson 'We grew up laughing at Jimmy Perry's hilarious characters. One of our greatest TV writers who will not be forgotten.'
Ruth Madoc ‘Being on set was quite hard work, but great fun. We weren’t allowed to laugh. One particular series we’d been naughty giggling on set. This didn’t go down very well with David and Jimmy, so they made us T-shirts saying, ‘Comedy is a serious business’. We were told in no uncertain terms’.
Frank Williams “Dad’s Army was one of the happiest periods of my life, it was a wonderful role to work on.”
TV comedy producer Jon Plowman said, “The quality of his work was consistently brilliant”, adding that Jimmy and his co-writer David Croft came as a package. He described them as “comedy revolutionaries”, saying, “They made it look easy; we know it is not.”
Chris Jarvis ‘this sitcoms are pure gold & will live on.’
Jeffrey Holland ‘There is no doubt that he and David created some of the most memorable and iconic characters and moments in television sitcom history and as such, has left us with a wonderful legacy we can look back on for many years to come. I am proud to have been a part of so many of his series’.
Mark Braxton ‘There is a light that never goes out - and its name is Jimmy Perry’
Perry admits to being bowled over by the continuing success of his Home Guard comedy: “Isn’t it amazing? Let me tell you, I’m overwhelmed.”
Appointed an OBE in 1978, Jimmy Perry published his autobiography, A Stupid Boy, in 2002 and received a British Comedy award for lifetime achievement in 2003.
Feel welcome on our fan Facebook page to share all the fun... and love for DA. .. see you on: Dad's Army Fan Zone

[@KL2010]

I love it when Frazer gets wound up. Apparantly in real life he was an accomplished and popular Shakespearean actor. and it shows.

[@fnln544]

Ian, You played a Home Guard private, and later 'general.' You deserved that 'rank' after all those years. You never 'gave up' your post. I wish my words would meet you. A great thespian. The Crown should consider you, the last of the cast, an 'honorary Defense Medal and honorary rank.' My family were from the United Kingdom. Nana went back and bought me Airfix models from Herrod's store. She once me the Queen. A proud lieutenant colonel, army, of the States. God save the King. Keith

[@joebalabuszko8863]

First time I have seen this wonderful episode. I left England in 1959, age 13. These shows keep me connected to where my heart resides. The accents, manners, characters, all contribute to my happiness.

[@carolineolsenarnold7039]

Me also Joe. I was 22 when I left England in 72. My heart remains there to this day, no family or friends left there now. Mum and I would watch dad's army every week , loved them all, but Clive Dunn a fave. Have a great day Joe and three cheers for England🇬🇧🇬🇧❤😧 I do miss it.

[@aaarrrggghhhh]

I've lived abroad for nearly half of my life and I love watching Dad's Army because it's one of the main things that gives me a sense of patriotism. Fred Dibnah and Detectorists do it for me too.

[@Jsatchel2010]

50 years old and still relevant and enjoyable. Thank you for the uploads.

[@johnferguson8993]

I've been watching Dad's Army since it was on TV and it was one of the funniest shows ever. Thanks for this brief episode, I'm still laughing my head off over it.

[@michiganmikeupnorth]

It really is an amazing show.....did you get the home guard training manual?

[@stuart8663]

There is an amazing amount of latitude in the script for minor ad-libbing. They all roll with going off-script for a moment or two. Love it so much.

[@paulcoulthard8654]

Why have i never seen this episode before ? Hilarious. What superb actor - to be performing their normal roles, and then within role - act as other, unskilled characters, speaking on the radio for the first time. Superbly done. This kind of humour can never date. Thanks so much for posting this.

[@9erner]

I have all dad's army dvd but i have never seen this one.... Best Day ever....

[@nathaliekeerstock2668]

Hahaha, love this! I have been watching Dads army since my childhood in the 80's, but I had never steen this ep before. Love it!

[@susannahleigh26]

Thank you for this clip - like other people - never been seen before. Sometimes, if I am feeling a bit down - I get out my Dad's Army DVD's and the wonderful characters cheer me up. I do miss these actors - perfectly cast. So glad we can continue to watch them - my Number one favorite.

[@Georgeth-kb6rg]

+Anne White we are all glad Anne... and... you are not alone... it makes us all happy ... so plz enjoy us on our site: Dad's Army Facebook Appreciation Page ... its every day fun !

[@susannahleigh26]

+George 1010th Thank you George - In today's world - this series keeps me sane. I will enjoy your site, Dad's Army Facebook Appreciation Page. Regards Anne.

[@alistairstuart1963]

Never saw before, Dilly,dilly, Thanks for posting.

[@adema1978]

Never saw this sketch... Thanks for uploading...

[@jimweiss2939]

i am so hooked on dads army they might try to throw me in rehab thx george again great qaulity i am telling any one who will listen in my neck of the woods to watch dads army

[@sylvester-jb3lj]

the voice of the producer is Captain Ashwood from It Aint Half Hot Mom

[@Lynn11663]

WOW!! First time ever seeing this. Wonderful!

[@albertmccready478]

outstanding brilliance

[@natashamccafferty365]

I love Jones, always been my favourite

[@terranceparsons5185]

I think he's a bit Marmite personally.

[@joebalabuszko8863]

Dad's Army music, Detectotists, wherever they are digging, pure joy.

[@bartlybaert9592]

Masterpiece !

[@SUPER_WOLFMOON]

Why, why is Mainwaring doing that voice. That was unexpectedly hilarious!!!

[@oisinolochlainn4437]

I have never seen this one, wicked craic altogether, pure brilliance

[@scottbuckley823]

i can tell by accent bhoy you're Irish

[@oisinolochlainn4437]

Scott Buckley Lol I am boy, from Co, Waterford. Id say you're one as well.

[@scottbuckley823]

Oisin O Lochlainn Next Door In Cork city kid

[@oisinolochlainn4437]

Scott Buckley the Rebel county boy, small world

[@scottbuckley823]

Oisin O Lochlainn real small

[@jimweiss2939]

WOW first time I see this show my brother said if you like benny hill u will like this so far three days of watching so thank you my new favorite

[@Georgeth-kb6rg]

jim weiss great to hear... where do you come from ?

[@jimweiss2939]

George 1010th sorry george just checked this one im out of phoenix arizona r there any other shows like this one from england

[@margiewatson6081]

Watching during lockdown ... thanks so much

[@Mrlaurens1987]

Loved this so funny

[@adriennedunne1748]

I cried with laughter. 😅Thank you for posting this. I'm a major fan. Never saw this before. I'm still laughing. Loved them one n all.

[@HelmetFight]

Update: the song Jones and Walker are singing, is 'Any Old Iron'.

[@Georgeth-kb6rg]

+HelmetFight thanks for posting the answer.. I didn't know... !! : ))

[@NinjaHelpdesk]

Gosh that was fun! I’d heard the radio version of that script, (which works extremely well, given the radio-centric plot) but I’d never seen the television version before! Many thanks!

[@simpsonmark]

How tall is the sound engineer??!!

[@MeaHeaR]

Sounds like Michael Knowles on the Broád-Câst

[@Masada1911]

It is.

[@jamesmusk508]

worked on the live show with this mob ! 😊

[@oisinolochlainn4437]

Jaysus thats brilliant, you must have had some craic with them

[@Georgeth-kb6rg]

please share your experiences with us on our page; Dad's Army Facebook Appreciation Page ! that would be great !

[@liten48]

if you dont have alaugh watchn this, there must something wrong with you lol

[@dindinprivate3477]

A good one!

[@ramesh1383]

rare episode

[@sidecashtalks9405]

I love the Great USA American show

[@twinsonic]

It's a British show, you twat

[@paulgrieve7031]

Hong Kong was occupied by the Japanese by Christmas 1941 and all allies imprisoned in the usual inhumane conditions. I suppose the broadcast happened earlier.

[@dadavid254]

What is the "song" Jones and Walker sing during the second sound test? Reminds me of the theme from the Italian Job.

[@scottbuckley823]

Any old iron

[@joebalabuszko8863]

I left England in 1959 as a 13 year old. I still sing this song, it makes me feel good.@@scottbuckley823

[@paulcoulthard8654]

Sorry - "actors! (typo)

[@robertmorgan200]

This is fantastic. Tik I ti b.o.

[@terranceparsons5185]

Michael Knowles with his, what, 10th part?

[@user-kg3rt4rk4z]

This series is very interesting .. I hope to translate into Arabic

[@HelmetFight]

I have to know the name of that song !

[@oisinolochlainn4437]

Any Old Iron

[@McLKeith]

It is strange how they talk about the British Empire when Canada, Newfoundland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa were formally gone by 1931 by the Statute of Westminister. These countries did not automatically join the War.

[@twinsonic]

You haven't got a clue, hahaha

[@jimweiss2939]

i think this is the shortest episode of them all does anyone know why curios

[@gabriellagrilli2337]

JIm, in the 1960s and early 1970s, each Christmas the BBC did a show called 'Christmas Night with the Stars' which was a kind-of wraparound vehicle for short sketches by popular BBC entertainers and for 'sawn-off' episodes by the casts of BBC sitcoms. This 'episode' of Dad's Army' was recorded for that show, I would guess. I don't off the top of my head know in which year, but maybe someone who knows more Dad's Army trivia than I do can provide that information. Hope this helps.

[@jimweiss2939]

gabriella grilli Thx any info about this show is much appreciated

[@Ryan-id1kr]

I think this particular sketch was broadcast in 1972