Book description
The best jokes, gags and scenes from a true British comedy classic.
'They don't like it up 'em!'
'People shout the "Don't tell him, Pike!" line at me
regularly - and I didn't even say it!' Philip Madoc.
In the annals of British television, no finer example of classic comedy
exists than in the shape of Dad's Army, the Home Guard-based sitcom
written by veteran writers Jimmy Perry and David Croft. Although they
penned many other sterling programmes, including Hi-De-Hi! and the
underrated You Rang, M'Lord?, they'll forever be remembered for their
brilliant wartime comedy spotlighting the antics of the
Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard, led by the irascible and pompous Captain Mainwaring.
Between 1968 and '77, nine series and three Christmas Specials -
totalling 80 instalments - were screened, much to the delight of the
millions of fans who tuned in; but the show's popularity has continued
unabated and even today, four decades since the platoon marched onto the
scene, it remains one of the golden offerings from the sitcom genre.
With the 40th anniversary of Dad's Army in 2008, what better time to
celebrate the magic of this show.
The Best of British Comedy - Dad's Army includes:
• The History: an overview of how Dad's Army was born and developed
• Gags and Catchphrases: a collection of classic quotes from the programme
• Did You Know?: snippets of info about the show, cast, etc.
• Favourite scenes: the most memorable scenes in full
• A Dad's Army quiz
Episode: 'Something Nasty in the Vault'
Mainwaring and Wilson are stuck in the bank's strong room. There has
been an air raid and they've ended up holding an unexploded bomb. Pike arrives.
Pike: Uncle Arthur?
Wilson: Oh, what it is, Frank?
Pike: Do you think I ought to phone mum and tell her you're holding a bomb?
Wilson: No!
Pike: But she might get cross if she found out that you'd been holding a
bomb and she wasn't told about it. As a journalist and writer, Richard
Webber writes regulary about TV, contributing to a host of newspapers
and magazines, including TV Quick, Daily Express, Sunday Express and the
Sunday Telegraph and is the author of over a dozen books celebrating
classic comedy, such as The A-Z of Dad's Army, The A-Z of Only Fools and
Horses, The Complete One Foot in the Grave, Are You Being Served? - 25
Years, Rising Damp - A Celebration, Porridge - The Inside Story and The
Complete A-Z of Everything Carry On.
