Volume 1

Dad's Army: The Very Best Episodes

Dad's Army fan Phill Jupitus selects four of his favourite episodes from the evergreen radio series, starring Arthur Lowe, John le Mesurier and Clive Dunn.

Diehard Dad's Army fan Phill Jupitus has selected four of his favourite episodes from the sitcom that captured the heart of a nation. As Jupitus says, 'There are episodes here you will be familiar with and some you may never have heard, but what I can promise is that they are all achingly funny.' 'The Man and the Hour' is the first ever episode of the series, in which Mainwaring barks out, 'Come on Adolf, we're ready for you!'; 'My British Buddy' finds Mollie Sugden guest starring as a Walmington inhabitant besotted with the new GIs in town; 'Time on My Hands' finds a German airman snagged by his parachute on the town hall clock; and in 'A Soldier's Farewell' Mainwaring dreams he is Napoleon at Waterloo, with Wilson an elegant Duke of Wellington... Providing stalwart support to the stars are John Laurie, James Beck, Arnold Ridley, Ian Lavender and Bill Pertwee. 
 
2 CDs. 1 hr 53 mins.

A Stupid Boy

A naturally gifted popular writer whose feel for character and humour was honed by his own apprenticeship on the stage.

Jimmy Perry was born in London in 1923.  By the age of 25 he had been a member of the Home Guard, called up into the regular forces and sent to Burma with the Royal Artillery, travelled the Indian subcontinent, entertaining the troops, been a Red Coat at Butlins and studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts - the experiences from all of which went into the creation of his much-loved comedies which include Dad's Army, It Ain't Half Hot, Mum and Hi-De-Hi! Jimmy has won numerous awards throughout his career including the Writers' Guild Best Comedy Script three years running from 1969 to 1971, the Writers' Guild Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995 and the Comic Heritage award in 1998. He received the OBE in 1978 and is still entertaining the nation with his one-man show.

From the creator of Dad's Army comes the wonderfully written and evocative tale of the life and adventures that inspired the hit TV shows. Highly entertaining and funny, A Stupid Boy gives fascinating insights into Perry's Dad's Army and his other much-loved British comedies including It Ain't Half Hot, Mum and Hi-De-Hi!: the real-life individuals who inspired the characters and events, and behind-the-scenes stories - including how Dad's Army came about, and how it was very nearly dropped, never to appear on our screens.

Jimmy Perry

David Croft

Arthur Lowe

John Le Mesurier

Ian Lavender

Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier, Ian Lavender and Bill Pertwee star in the radio sequel sitcom to ‘Dad’s Army’.   ‘The Pilot’ - In this rare pilot, war is over and former Home Guard Captain Mainwaring plans to renovate Frambourne-on-Sea’s pier. However, to get a loan he approaches local bank manager, Arthur Wilson.   ‘The Business Proposition’ - In the first episode of the series (and after the sad death of Arthur Lowe) Bert Hodges, former ARP warden, is looking for a partner to renovate the pier. Maybe he can get Frank Pike to talk to his ‘uncle’ Arthur...   ‘The Bank Loan’ - How can Hodges and Pike persuade Wilson to loan them the money...?   ‘Who Owned the Pier?’ - Pike and Hodges research the history of Frambourne Pier, and a visit by the electrician brings worrying news.   With Arthur Lowe as George Mainwaring, John Le Mesurier as Arthur Wilson, Ian Lavender as Frank Pike and Bill Pertwee as Bert Hodges, ‘It Sticks Out Half a Mile’ was written by Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles, who also adapted ‘Dad’s Army’ for radio.

Jimmy Perry

Books by Jimmy Perry

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