Dad’s Army 40 years on

Nov 3 2008 by Andrew Baldwin, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

PEOPLE shout “Don’t tell him Pike” at actor Philip Madoc regularly. And he didn’t even say the famous line.

He was the captured U-Boat captain in Dad’s Army who was making a list of those who would be brought to account when the Nazis won the war.

Pike sings, “Whistle while you work, Hitler is a twerp, he’s half barmy, so’s his army, whistle …”

Captain: “Your name will also go on the list. What is it?”

Mainwaring: “Don’t tell him Pike.”

It is one of the immortal lines from the classic golden oldie sitcom that follows the trials, tribulations and triumphs of a Home Guard unit at Walmington-on-Sea during the Second World War.

The series celebrated its 40th anniversary this year and Dad’s Army by Richard Webber (Harper, £7.99) is a hardback book of the best scenes, jokes and one-liners from the show that ran from 1968 to 1977 and was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft.

Dad’s Army spin-offs included a stage show and a big screen film.

Another film, Dad’s Army and the Secret U Boat Base was planned with Sir Laurence Olivier playing a villain, but was never made.

The book is full of memories, insights and little known facts, as well as scenes and photographs from the show.

Ian Lavender was 22 when he got the role as Pike and his hair was already turning grey so had to use dye. John le Mesurier was the rather vague upper crust sergeant but Lavender said, “He played at being vague to get what he wanted. I saw him persuade a young make-up artist to take the watch off his wrist, wind it up for him and put it back on. He was getting something done he couldn’t be bothered to do himself.”

Arthur Lowe suffered from narcolepsy, a condition which meant he could fall asleep at any moment. On occasions they would have to wake him up as the cameras began to roll.

A 26-year-old David Jason read for the part of Jones but it was given to Clive Dunn.

Arnold Ridley, who played Godfrey, had fought in the Battle of the Somme in the First World War and been badly wounded. He was 72 when the series started.

A wonderful programme with heart and humour that always left a glow.

This little book is a delightful commemoration.