ochoin deach | 04 Jan 2012 4:29 p.m. PST |
I've been watching re-runs of this classic comedy. link It's impossible not to love all the characters but choose one: Pvt Joe Walker, a delightful spiv. |
Connard Sage | 04 Jan 2012 4:32 p.m. PST |
Sergeant Wilson. Subtle, very subtle. |
kreoseus2 | 04 Jan 2012 5:07 p.m. PST |
Dooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooommmeeeddd |
Captain dEwell | 04 Jan 2012 5:16 p.m. PST |
Sergeant Wilson. Marvellously understated. " . . . during the war, he had been a Captain". |
bruntonboy | 04 Jan 2012 5:18 p.m. PST |
"You Stupid Boy"
! How do you choose only one? My current favourite is Hodges the A.R.P. man, so big a chip on his shuolder. |
Timbo W | 04 Jan 2012 5:31 p.m. PST |
Wilson thirded!! I always wondered what sort of appalling faux-pas he'd committed to end up as Mainwaring's deputy at the bank. Probably a dalliance with the wife of a director! |
D A THB | 04 Jan 2012 7:53 p.m. PST |
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Grizzlymc | 04 Jan 2012 9:06 p.m. PST |
Jones – they dont like it upem sir! |
Etranger | 04 Jan 2012 9:11 p.m. PST |
Another vote for the unflappable Sergeant Wilson. Godfrey was also good value, especially in the episode where the truth of his WWI career is revealed. |
epturner | 04 Jan 2012 9:23 p.m. PST |
Wot Connard Mr. Sage said. Although, I have to admit, the best part of the show was the ensamble cast and writing. Eric |
Cerdic | 05 Jan 2012 12:25 a.m. PST |
Another vote for Wilson! "Do you think that wise, sir?" |
artaxerxes | 05 Jan 2012 12:37 a.m. PST |
What? No votes for Private Pike? |
Patrick R | 05 Jan 2012 12:45 a.m. PST |
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thabear | 05 Jan 2012 2:47 a.m. PST |
I have to say Corporal Jones the Butcher We actually have a young Mr Jones figure in our Sudan games, they really dont like it up 'em. Cheers Tom |
Martin Rapier | 05 Jan 2012 3:06 a.m. PST |
If forced to pick just one, Private Walker. Dads Army was never the same after he died. |
Serotonin | 05 Jan 2012 3:45 a.m. PST |
I'm with Etranger, Godfrey due to his back story. |
NoLongerAMember | 05 Jan 2012 3:46 a.m. PST |
It is the ensemble balance of them all that made the show. But if I had to pick one it would be Godfrey. Jones I could happily have lived without. |
Fat Wally | 05 Jan 2012 4:04 a.m. PST |
Wilson for me too. Reminded me of on old schoolmaster of mine. I think there was a real depth to his character and JLMs expressions were fantastic. |
Plynkes | 05 Jan 2012 4:19 a.m. PST |
Couldn't pick one. But the above-mentioned storyline about Godfrey being a Conshie in the Great War was certainly the most memorable and moving bit of character background they did on the show. And of course Arnold Ridley knew all about that. He became an actor in the first place because getting shot full of holes on the Somme ruined his health. |
ashill4 | 05 Jan 2012 4:57 a.m. PST |
One of my favourite TV shows and, as epturner wrote, it was the ensemble performance that made the show. If I had to choose one it would be Capt. Mainwaring. He came from a humble background and 'made good' in a manner of speaking; plus he displays that 'never surrender to the Nazis' spirit. I love it when anything 'underhand' occurs and he calls it a 'typical Nazi trick'. Three cheers to all who served in the Home Guard. You probably would have been overrun in short order but you would have died with your boots on, facing the enemy, having 'taken one with you'. |
20thmaine | 05 Jan 2012 6:48 a.m. PST |
Probably the good captain (with his sergeant a close second). He's a pompous ass and full of hot air – with the redeeming characteristic that there is no doubt at all that he'd be right at the very front of the front line when Hitler's lot invade, trying to stop a Panzer with a sticky bomb or an austerity molotov cocktail
. I rather like Private Godfrey as well
.did he drive ambulances on the western front ?
In fact, as already stated by others, it was an amazing ensemble. |
NoLongerAMember | 05 Jan 2012 6:52 a.m. PST |
Strangely enough both my father and my grandfather were in the Home Guard in the dark days of 1940. Their comments on the show was that it was horribly accurate in so much of its humour, but not always accurate in other parts. They were in rural Hampshire, so higher up the list for essential kit, like the Sussex and Kent ones were, and were well trained in explosives. Their 21 man platoon also beat the local regular and terratorial platoons in rifle shooting and were borrowed to train pilots in escape and evasion techniques, as they could catch anyone on their patch, so they acted as the dogs in the exercises. My father who was not a boastful man reckoned they would have caused havoc for three days, then well the invaders would be sufficiently organised and have the manpower
Private Godfrey earned the MM (or was it the MC) rescuing wonded in no mans land at the Somme, its not that he was pro or anti war, just that he (the character) could not kill. |
WarrenB | 05 Jan 2012 7:04 a.m. PST |
It's like Sophie's choice. But twist my arm and I'll go with Captain Mainwairing, for reasons already given. :) ----- Warren B. minisculpture.co.uk |
Whatisitgood4atwork | 05 Jan 2012 7:21 a.m. PST |
Private Godfrey, who showed himself more than once to be the bravest man in the platoon. |
Serotonin | 05 Jan 2012 1:19 p.m. PST |
Talking of Mainwairing, the episode Battle of Godfreys Cottage where they are sure the Nazis have landed and he goes off to hold the line is incredibly moving for the bravery shown. |
Given up for good | 05 Jan 2012 1:28 p.m. PST |
I have to say I cannot select just one. The way they each played off each other was great and the shows still bring a smile to my face. I am tempted to say a certain German U-Boat Captain (Philip Madoc) for the lines 'Your name will also go on the list. What is it?' 'Do not tell him Pike' |
ochoin deach | 05 Jan 2012 2:08 p.m. PST |
There's one episode where the air raid wardens are watching the platoon's Heath Robinson activities & asks, "Are you sure they're on our side?" This still makes me laugh.
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20thmaine | 05 Jan 2012 2:20 p.m. PST |
I am tempted to say a certain German U-Boat Captain (Philip Madoc) for the lines I vant mine crisp, unt light brown ! |
NoLongerAMember | 05 Jan 2012 2:27 p.m. PST |
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Martin Rapier | 06 Jan 2012 6:04 a.m. PST |
I vant plaice. I think the U-Boat crew is one of my favourite episodes ever. The stage show doing the rounds a few years back was quite good, including the episode where we find out why Walker wasn't in the Army. |
Ivan the Reasonable | 06 Jan 2012 6:45 a.m. PST |
L/CPL Jones "They can stuff grenades down my trousers, but they will not make me crack!" Priceless. (paraphrased slightly)Matt. |
Gennorm | 06 Jan 2012 8:09 a.m. PST |
Fraser – We're doomed! It's a good exercise to name people you work with after characters in Dad's Army. Every business has a Mainwaring, a Fraser, a Pike, a Dawson and a Jones at least. |
raducci | 06 Jan 2012 11:58 p.m. PST |
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Cerdic | 07 Jan 2012 4:35 p.m. PST |
"Why 'ave you got a dead chicken on your 'at?" |
Ivan the Reasonable | 13 Jan 2012 5:49 a.m. PST |
And what are you doing in "Dads Army" you're supposed to be in "Ello Ello". Matt. |