I was a dresser at the Manchester Opera house when the Dads Army cast came to perform for three weeks.. I had the honour and pleasure to be the dresser for John le Mesurier. I used to stand in the wings every night to watch this scene and never failed to be in tears of laughter. They were so skilled and so funny. All the cast were charming and delightful to meet. It was one of the happiest times of my life. I had no idea it had ever been recorded. Thank you for bringing back the memory so clearly.

@jasonclarke6983

2 жыл бұрын

loved john le mesurier was it 3 stripes on each arm 4 sgt wilson

@jasonclarke6983

Жыл бұрын

he was a lovley actor just watched alf garnet saga he was in it as a bank manager

@RichyJFilms

Жыл бұрын

awesome

@deniseharrison1410

11 ай бұрын

What a wonderful memory

@TerryMcGearyScotland

9 ай бұрын

Wow what a fantastic memory to have!

How great to watch this...glad i have the boxset of Dad's Army...Rest in Peace Private Pike 🕊

@paulbanks9408

2 ай бұрын

Snap got box set never opened them yet at least 30 yrs old.

Arthur Lowe was a genius his little facial expressions and head movements he didn’t have to say a word . Brilliant

@keithrich8373

2 жыл бұрын

He was the master of the long pause.Didnt have to say a word.In my opinion nobody could touch him

@jeffebdy

2 жыл бұрын

And lest we not forget the narrator of Mr Men

@shqa574

11 ай бұрын

He was also light-footed. He took that fall like a young man.

This Yank stumbled upon Dad's Army on KZread. I love it. Great comedy.

@pup1008

2 ай бұрын

It is amazing & any true Brit will have this running through their soul but *PLEASE,* if you haven't already, do what a lot of Americans won't & checkout John Cheese's *"Fawlty Towers."* We hold that consistently as our #1 comedy series of all time! 👍

As a very young lad, about 5 yrs old (now 54) Mum n Dad took me to see their live stage show in London. Second row, couldnt stop laughing, 'Hodges', stepped off script, pointed at me and said 'got my eye on you!'. Wonderful memory! 🙂 Happier times......

@porkscratchings5428

2 жыл бұрын

I saw it on my 8th birthday on Saturday 11th October as part of my weekend in London many moons ago. First time I saw a man drinking meths and what I saw in Soho with nude pictures and adult shops window displays stood in my mind more than remembering most of the performance that day lol.

@stephenhawes5391

2 жыл бұрын

I saw it too - I'm a year older than you. I remember Arthur Lowe in the theatre foyer mingling with the public. I also remember a part of the performance where they were supposed to be on a cliff top. There was a BBC microphone prop left from the previous scene and Captain Mainwaring told Pike to remove it and said, 'Must have been left from an outside broadcast'. I've never worked out if it was an accident and quick thinking by Lowe or part of the show.

@margaretmassey8213

2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful story 😊

@brucepiek3649

2 жыл бұрын

I was introuduced to Dads Army by a dear friend of mine that got me a cd boxset 12 years ago. Still love watching the series. From the black and whites to the radio edits. British humour at its best.

@barrycolwell1600

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely brilliant

The series was a tribute to many veteran actors in the twilight of their careers. A nostalgic memorial.

The 1975/76 stage show of Dad's Army had to have two characters recast. John Laurie who played Private Frazer declined to be involved with the stage show due to poor health and not wanting to tour, so Hamish Roughead was cast as Frazer. Jimmy Beck who played Private Walker died in August 1973, and so John Bardon was cast as Walker for the stage show.

@susanc4622

2 ай бұрын

Hamish got the voice very well.

@polygonalmasonary

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the information, I noticed Frazer was not Frazer 🤔😐

From a simpler time when I swear we were all happier....

@davedavids57

4 ай бұрын

That will be the psychological phenomenon known as Rosy retrospection or memoria praeteritorum bonorum . It's interesting as during the 1970s Britain was suffering it's worst period in modern history with three day weeks and rolling blackouts and massive unemployment and suffering.

@Foxxx1953

4 ай бұрын

🤣🤣

@michelles2299

2 ай бұрын

@@davedavids57 you ways get one who tries to spoil it all leave alone let people decide if they were happy or not at least in the 70s we didn't have mobiles and we have a community where people cared about others I can't tell how rude it is to walk looking at a mobile regardless of others having to dodge out of the way

@memybikeni9931

2 ай бұрын

@@davedavids57 “ Rosy retrospection or memoria praeteritorum bonorum” now that’s a useful couple of phrases that serves well to explain how we feel about times gone by. I guess it’s similar to the contemporary “the grass is always greener” thank you for the comment, I shall remember this for future use. It’s interesting that a comment is made about simpler times, when as you say in the 70s things were not so good, and this particular comedy was about one of the worst periods in human history and suffering. Dads Army did so well to poke fun at both sides of the conflict and give a little as you say “Rosy Retrospection” to all its victims.

@Ollybus

2 ай бұрын

@@davedavids57And I was at college and had a great time.

Dad's Army often seems dated and yet, every so often, it just shines!

Sadly Ian Lavender who played the "stupid boy" Pike has just passed away. He was the last survivor of the original cast. "Don't tell him, Pike"

@georgegriffin9419

3 ай бұрын

Yes one great troupe of individuals who me most of us laugh continously ☺

@wendylinton453

3 ай бұрын

Dad's Army was one of the best ever Comedies..so sad that time has gone.

@Glitches59.

3 ай бұрын

I just see them all greeting him on the other side .😢

@joannetailor4094

2 ай бұрын

The other side is much happier then here

@joannetailor4094

2 ай бұрын

Being here is a pain in the posterior

This routine was performed during the 1975 Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium in the presence of the Queen and Prince Philip. It aired on ITV in Britain on Sunday November 16th 1975.

I live in Fowey, Cornwall and every year we danced The Flora Dance with the brass band playing this. This usually takes place in August during Regatta week x

@christinewhitfeld7939

2 ай бұрын

Yes but it comes from Helston.

what a lot - There will never be a Dads Army like that again - God Bless them all ....

Oh wow this is an absolute treat for me Never knew of its existence.We will NEVER see innocent harmless comedy like this againEvery one of these treasured actors played their part to perfection.Wilson and Mainwaring a double act worthy of Laurel and Hardy.

I’ve been watching Dads army for 40 years! Never seen this. Absolutely brilliant, pure excellence Thank you for uploading

@TerryMcGearyScotland

9 ай бұрын

I was the same, exactly. Thought I’d seen them all and just came across this absolute gem! Thank heavens for KZread!🙏🙏🙏

@Somerset-In-The-Blood

4 ай бұрын

A rare gift this is😊

@eugenemcgivern1060

2 ай бұрын

Nor me! Loved it!

True comedy. We don't get that anymore. I found how to truly laugh again watching this. Thankyou 😂

They don’t make them like they used to. Absolutely priceless 🤣

Not only good actors, the singers were brilliant.Lovely harmonies...

Not seen that before so thank you. Been watching and listening to Dad's Army for 50 years.

A truly great comedy. Comedy like this, sadly no longer exists and is sadly missed..

We won’t tell Private Pike again. Rest in peace.

It’s hard to believe this is neatly 50 years ago, I have the box set, I must have watched them a hundred times. Love the Dads Army crew, so sad, so long ago, so funny, wonderful memories. I’ve never seen this stage performance though, what a treat, thanks for the upload.

Oh wow what a gem of a find. It was like watching a bit of a lost episode!

@alexlazebat839

2 жыл бұрын

well technically this is a lost episode 1970 christmas night with the stars

@alexanderromanov737

2 жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qltaiKnKfHlZs.html

The Last Guard: Goodbye Warmington on Sea. . When the news of young Ian eventually breaks, a moustached bank manager and deputy leave Swallow's Bank, once a branch of Martins, to walk to the church hall, to join their troops assembled therein. Captain Mainwaring checks his watch. “He's late again, Corporal Jones!” . “Don't panic, don't panic!” Jones, states. Then, in hushed tone and gentle note, “don't, panic” the message, whispers across the church hall. Frazer raises his eyebrows and a grin, “We're all doomed, aye all doomed, don't ye ken?” . “Do calm them down Napoleon!” shouts Hodges. “I'll tell the vicar” exclaims the Verger. Straightening their tunics, the cast fall in. “Eyes front!” Corporal Jones is still out of step, Godfrey's eyes still seeking to be excused. . Private Pike, running quick sharp, past Uncle Arthur. The whole platoon settles at last: Walker, the spiv. Sponge. Pike's mum. Out of the wings: A U-Boat captain. Mrs Fox. The Rev. Farthing, now join them, for a last bow. . © Feb 2024 MPSO.

British humour at its best! RIP to all the cast members who are no longer with us. Thanks to ALL cast members - living and passed!

@linseypizzuto390

4 ай бұрын

They’ve all gone now

@trollmeistergeneral3467

3 ай бұрын

@@linseypizzuto390 Indeed they have. Ian Lavender (Pte. Pike) only last week, 2 Feb 2024, aged 77. Born in Feb 1946.

Legends from one of the greatest British tv comedies of all time. Brings back so much of my childhood memories of watching with my late beloved parents. Dad's Army is a British icon with such great actors and actresses, I am and will always be a massive fan of Dad's Army. 💂‍♂️💂‍♂️💂‍♂️💂‍♂️🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

@keithrich8373

Жыл бұрын

Well said an absolute delight

@trigtrigger9794

7 ай бұрын

As a lad born in the 1980s.. i now understand.

@SISU889

3 ай бұрын

Well said ! Absolutely brilliant, all of them .

Before comedy was hijacked and weaponised. A splendid skit Bravo

@billpugh58

9 ай бұрын

Yes, the conservatives have a lot to answer for!

@trigtrigger9794

7 ай бұрын

It is odd how wholesome this is.

@laurastuart3814

3 ай бұрын

@@billpugh58 You couldn't put a cigarette paper between the Tories and Labour now, both promote DEI.

A time when we could still be ourselves in our own beautiful country.

@gus452000

4 ай бұрын

Beautifuly said.

@theresafarren3236

3 ай бұрын

Actually we can still be ourselves, I have no idea what you going on about

@janethigginbottom

3 ай бұрын

What a stupid comment. You Arsehole

@johnbrereton5229

2 ай бұрын

​@@theresafarren3236 Then why make that comment, if you didn't know what you were replying to ?

2023 great memories of being in stitches as a young lad watching the television series. I belive Pike is the only one alive they will never come close to the following that this programme came to on British Television

@suekearton6691

4 ай бұрын

Ian Lavender sadly passed away today

@frostyfrost4094

4 ай бұрын

Thanks RIP

Thank you posting this. Never seen it before. What a gem

@alexanderromanov737

2 жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/YpakysV6qbi5qrw.html UK French fishing dispute

@kencarr1397

2 жыл бұрын

Superb loved it

Wonderful to see this. The sublime, unmatched, Dads Army. Cast to perfection and now my children are enjoying this wonderful comedy as I did all those years ago. A timeless classic. They certainly don’t make them like this anymore.

@gus452000

11 ай бұрын

I couldn't agree any more with you, absolute classic's.

Still quite amazing even now.

@Mike8981

3 ай бұрын

Especially now?

WOW, never seen this before, sheer brilliance, British comedy at its best just good fun. God bless them all

As a Cornish woman who has danced in the dance this was wonderful to see...I needed that right now, thank you for sharing this x

British comedy at it's best.No smuttyness, no sex and no swearing.A programme the whole family can sit down and watch together.😊

I sm watching this amazing stage performance by the cast of Dad's Army for the first time today. Dad's Army remains my most favorite TV show of all time.

@gus452000

11 ай бұрын

To me it keeps getting better as the years go by.

What a blast from the past that was...I remember my parents sitting there laughing so hard at Dad's Army back in the day...what a great piece of nostalgia...

@geoffpoole483

2 жыл бұрын

When the show first appeared on tv (1968 or 1969) the BBC was worried that audiences would find the show offensive for mocking what happened in WW2. Back then the majority of the British population would have lived through the war and possibly served too. In reality WW2 was a backdrop to conflict between the show's characters, the sort of people we encounter in everyday life. One of the writers served in the Home Guard. My parents loved the show.

Watch dads army every Saturday bbc2 (when its on) I've seen them a hundreds of times I never miss it !

Wow , never seen this clip before, absolutely brilliant. So sad they have all gone.

I know every episode of Dad's Army by heart - this is a first for me - absolutely brilliant - thanks a million....

@benrosenberg

2 жыл бұрын

Same, I'm yet to meet someone who is much of a fan though! Even though it was made 20 odd years before I was born. I was hoping for Walker's line: "hang on that was my big bass drum"

@hughjass2745

2 жыл бұрын

There's a few missing epidodes after the BBC taped over them in the 70s. I think this is based on one of them.

@davidmg1925

2 жыл бұрын

same

@jezz2k

Жыл бұрын

@@hughjass2745 It was originally a short which aired on Christmas Day in 1970. The 3 missing episodes ("The Loneliness of the Long Distance Walker", "A Stripe for Frazer" and "Under Fire") were quite well re-made a few years ago. If you have Sky or Now, you can stream them, as well as every episode and the 3 Christmas Specials.

Every single one of the cast were brilliant in they're own right!❤️❤️❤️

Excellent; thanks for sharing. I wish I realized at the time how superb television programs were!

Fabulous. We have all Dad’s Army episodes and films but did not know this existed. Thank you for making our day.

@queenbeekeeper

2 жыл бұрын

Same here - We sometimes play an episode or two every so often - they are still funny and make us laugh. It was a treat so see something 'new' after all these years.

@briartlaw

2 жыл бұрын

@@queenbeekeeper I agree with that as well .

God bless them all,brilliant. 😃

Gosh. There's none left! Great series.

Absolutely brilliant what a gem. still love watching Dads Army after all these years proper clean fun with no swearing not like today's rubbish .

Brilliant, thank you for sharing this! Still enjoy watching Dad's Army ❤😂

Remember watching Dad’s Army for the first time as a 5 year old in the early/mid-nineties. Have loved it ever since

Wonderful ole Dads Army you can’t beat the British sense of humour

What a breath of fresh air! Loved Dad’s army… need more of this kind of humor 😀

Every night while eating my tea I watch a couple episodes of dads army I know them word by word but I still laugh 😂 a british institution

Absolutely wonderful, and appreciated much more by the fact that I was a DCLI cadet at Truro Cathedral School (CCF) and served in the old Light Infantry Regiment. Such a shame that we are unable to produce such pleasure/fun in this day-and-age!!!!!!!!!

Dad’s Army was a funny gentle British comedy on tv, 👍❤️😂. “Don’t tell him Pike” 😆

That was fabulous. Always loved Dad's Army.

I have been binge watching Dad's Army this last week or two. Every thing is overwhelming and awful, but it was for the other wars too and they stayed cheerful and got on with life. Steadying. Good to laugh again.

dads army of of the greatest comedies of all time,,,,, love this

Just to add my thanks to others. Brilliant piece of fun. So sad that now almost all are gone BUT certainly not forgotten!

You cannot beat the original, wonderful, still my favourite comedy series, memories

@lizb853

2 жыл бұрын

My most favourite part of THIS scene is where Sgt Wilson FINALLY loses his cool and calm dignified exterior. Slams down the lid of the piano and storms off. Mainwaring's face was a picture at that point. Johne messurier is a hugely gifted pianist. Pity he never did much musical work outside of his acting career. He LITERALLY MADE Dad's Army for me. The standard of singing too was remarkably good, particularly Jones, he really has a fine tenor voice which I didn't realise he was blessed with. They're a very talented bunch altogether, and I miss Dad's army terrifically.

Oh, how I miss them! 😢

Certainly brings back wonderful memories. Tea in the sitting room watching Dad's Army. Mother sending me to my music teacher,Mr. Green, who grew tomatoes in his green house, (no pun intended)for two pounds, for the salad~!~

So GLAD they did the show's after the series end, they were great showmen all of THEM. 🎬💪🇬🇧🙏🤩😍🗣️📢

R.I.P. Ian Lavender, nice tribute ❤❤❤

Like many others have commented, I was aware there was a stage show version of Dads Army but didn't know this existed. Dads Army had a radio version based on the tv series which airs on Radio 4extra at present in rotation with other classic sitcoms. There was also a radio sequel called It Sticks Out Half A Mile. A pilot was made in 1980 but never broadcast featuring Arthur Lowe as former Captain Mainwaring, with John Le Messure and Ian Lavender reprising their characters. Lowe was seriously ill and sounded drunk (according to BBC bosses). A new pilot was made a few years later with Bill Pertwee as former Warden Hodges replacing Lowe. The original pilot was finally broadcast many years later.

So Capt. Mainwaring conducts too. He does it brilliantly as if he learnt conducting with a real maestro.

I always loved Dads Army!! Swedish Tv was showing this beloved serie ❤

What a treat to discover this on KZread. Great artists every one. Thank you for posting.

EVERY MOVE, EVERY LOOK, EVERY WORD PURE GENIUS !!!

I love Dad's Army!! Have many happy childhood memories in front of the T.V, watching my wartime heroes! Nostalgia is a very powerful emotion .

They don't make comedy like this anymore. What an absolute gem of a piece. Cheered me right up, so thank you for posting this.

@drgeoffangel5422

9 ай бұрын

They dont make comedy period!

@neilbowers6956

9 ай бұрын

@@drgeoffangel5422 A fair and valid point well made.

I still watch episodes of Dads Army daily much to the annoyance of my children when they hear the theme tune lol. They don’t make shows like this anymore. It was a magical combination of genius writing and brilliant actors a show the whole family can watch. It still makes me laugh each time I watch.

no words really… what great comedy! I remember clearly watching Dad’s army with my family and it was good clean fun.. nothing compares today. Nothing makes me “get ready” to enjoy an episode today.

I was straining to see if the great Arnold Ridley was there and he was. Wonderfully funny!

Thank you for your Service Trooper. Wishing you all the very best for the future BRB ❤

I have every episode of this and binge watch it regularly and it still makes me laugh no matter how often I watch it. They don't make 'em like this anymore. And they don't like it up 'em!

@gus452000

5 ай бұрын

Its superb and I wish I could have seen the stage show, must have been something else, the world today doesn't seem to know how to make people laugh anymore!

🎉The excellence of multi-talented actors...TV and stage require different abilities...of course musical talent and singing ...great augmentation of the cast with the choir🎼👍🏼

Oh I really enjoyed that! Lol moments included😂Maybe my memory is fading but I don’t recall seeing that before. Pure joy. Perfect timing and delivery. Who would have imagined the ‘stupid boy’ would have such a manly singing - voice- that’s one of the signs of great acting I guess.

@jeanettesellwood9762

2 ай бұрын

During the mid 1990's Ian Lavender was meant to be joining the West End cast of Phantom of the Opera, but had to drop out because he was diagnosed with cancer😢

@TerryMcGearyScotland

2 ай бұрын

@@jeanettesellwood9762Thank you for that👍

What a wonderfully talented group! No wonder I loved the show so much! Meanwhile, "We're dooommmedd!" Keep singing! : - ) >

Classic comedy from a less complicated time.

Wonderful,, we had an Italian restaurant near to the Haymarket theatre in Leicester, and Mrs Fox used to come in every day for her lunch , when she was spearing in a play there, plus many other well known actors and actresses

👏 Brilliant. My father organised the Home Guard in our Village! Memories!!

@colincocks1335

2 жыл бұрын

Your dad was a hero

@robertialsobel6015

2 жыл бұрын

@@colincocks1335 He has taken a German sniper's bullet to his right temple as a SIXTEEN YEAR old foot soldier...cannon fodder... .in WW1. No Post Traumstic Stress Disorder even thought of then.!. In WW2 he therefore ran the Local Home Guard. And after the war ended taught bricklayer to the soldiers who returned with no skills to earn a living. A hero indeed.

Thank you for compiling this, it is excellent.

The fine actor who played Fraser, John Laurie, has by this time passed away (he died in 1980) or was too infirm to be on stage - his substitute does a good job...

I met John le Mesurier in a London supermarket in the 1975. He heard my South African accent and asked me to help pick out a ripe avocado pear. I loved this show…really funny without ever descending into smut.

Excellent - I’ve never seen this before - worth reading up on the cast and the fact that many actually served - particularly’Godfrey’ - the old guy on the right - the ‘contentious objector ‘ who actually survived hand to hand combat in WW1!

@brucewilliams8714

2 жыл бұрын

In one episode, Godfrey is ill in bed, and visited by Mainwaring. He sees, on the bedroom wall, a framed MC Military Cross, awarded to Godfrey. Mainwaring is just totally lost for words.

@mjspice100

2 жыл бұрын

Arnold Ridley did indeed serve in WW1 as a private in the Somerset Light Infantry, he was wounded including being bayoneted and left for dead at the Somme, he also received a rifle butt to the back of the head from an enemy soldier. His character, Godfrey, was a conscientious objector who served as a battlefield medic during WW1 and had been decorated for gallantry. He didn’t wear the medal because he didn’t want to embarrass Mainwaring who didn’t have any…

@nicolerosen7957

2 жыл бұрын

Arnold Ridley also served in the WW2

@TheSmart-CasualGamer

Жыл бұрын

Godfrey was the greatest hero of all the members of the platoon, nice to hear that Arnold Ridley was the same!

@mcculloch29

9 ай бұрын

@@mjspice100. Thanks for sharing that, incredible story.

I just giggled all the way through absolutely brilliant 😂

I laughed til I cried. Absolutely brilliant!!!!

That is terrific. A stage full of talent.

What a series every generation sees a new view Dad ex raf giggling at social misfiring John le mersurier as Sargent and mannering as office older children laughing at Godfrey and the Spiv and very young seeing a completely different show of very old duffers running around don’t panic mr mannering don’t panic !! That’s why lasted so long then finished with do you hear tapping ear to the ground…. We will never see a cast as fine and skilled as this again…

Brilliant, I didn't know there had been a stage show. They were perfect 😊 thanks for sharing.

Amazing words fail me !!♥️

Timeless!

Wonderful! Brilliant actors out of their usual habitat but never once losing their well-loved characterisations. The full DVD collection is one of my greatest treasures.

not seen this before great group of actors well worth watching

By jove that was blooming marvellous.

Sitting here watching, half a century on, when it ended I couldn’t do anything (unseen) but applaud !

Looking forward to next May for the HELSTON Floral Dance, just brilliant.

@timhague882

2 жыл бұрын

Well plans are well advanced, practices for the Hal an Tow are been published and the dancers have been rolled over from the first covid cancellation. Helston hadn’t changed much, a few more empty shops like all small towns, most importantly The Blue Anchor hasn’t changed at all.

@oldguyzcustomsmetalshop7991

2 жыл бұрын

Took part in 1969, happy memories.....

When Pike sings "boy girl" the expression on the pretty girl's face behind him is priceless. So funny. Thanks for posting.

@ddpeak1

2 жыл бұрын

I thought that was his mum

@Ozmulki

2 жыл бұрын

@@ddpeak1 it was

@bobbailey7024

2 жыл бұрын

@@ddpeak1 I meant the nurse in dark blue uniform and dark blue hat behind and slightly to the left, next to his mum.

Brilliant. I was fortunate to see this at the Bradford Alhambra. Wonderful evening.

You can’t get better than this .

Remarkable talent. Don’t tell him Pike! RIP all of you.