“Don’t Tell Him Pike!” but there’s no better way to settle down on a winters evening after preparing the yuletide festivities by fixing yourself a nice mug of cocoa and indulging in a classic audio episode of Jimmy Perry and David Croft’s classic sit-com Dad’s Army.
The popular wartime based TV series centring on the comic escapades of the Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard was adapted for 67 radio episodes between 1974 and 1976 including a one hour episode broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 25 December 1974 entitled Present Arms.
John Snagge Adds Authenticity To Dad's Army Radio Series
Dad's Army: Present Arms begins with a specially written wartime news report provided by former BBC News reader John Snagge. Snagge introduced all the Dad's Army radio episodes in this way which added to the series authenticity.
Snagge informs the listener that it is December 1941; the events begin to unfold as the Home Guard parade at Walmington on Sea’s church hall with Corporal Jones taking a lecture on bayonet practice.
The action continues with a competition in which Captain Mainwaring and his men use all their wits in a competition against Captain Square and the Eastgate platoon to gain the honour of guarding the Prime Minister, when he visits the area.
Comic Dialogue Keeps Dad's Army Listeners To Attention
Fast paced comic dialogue, fabulous performances and sound effects of rifle clicks and troops marching recreate the spirit of Dad’s Army keeping the listener’s attention.
One such example of comic dialogue is when Lance-Corporal Jones dutifully tells his comrades in arms during bayonet practice that the enemy “Don’t like it up ‘em!” The listener soon discovers neither does Captain Mainwaring when Private Pike launches his bayonet straight through the office door into the officer’s cap hung on the other side.
“Pike! You stupid boy, look at my hat! It’s got a hole in it!” protests Mainwaring.
“Oh dear! Was your head in it?” responds Pike
Dad's Army Christmas Special Stars Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier and Clive Dunn
Present Arms was adapted for radio by Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles from two television episodes by Jimmy Perry and David Croft entitled Shooting Pains and Battle of The Giants.
Snoad and Knowles were frequently faced with the dilemma to adapt the more visual scenes of the TV series into radio dialogue and in the case of the TV episode Battle of The Giants, which featured scenes of the platoon on manoeuvres, the decision was taken to feature scenes and dialogue from another TV episode entitled Shooting Pains to flesh out the story.
Many of the original stars of Dad’s Army are featured in this hour long Christmas Special including Arthur Lowe (Captain Mainwaring), John Le Mesurier (Sergeant Wilson), Clive Dunn (Lance Corporal Jones), John Laurie (Private Frazer), Arnold Ridley (Private Godfrey) and Ian Lavender (Private Pike).
The regular cast are joined by two other familiar voices from the TV series, Bill Pertwee, as ARP Warden Hodges and Geoffrey Lumsden as Captain Square while Larry Martyn competently recreates the role of Private Walker for the radio version.
Listen To Dad's Army Christmas Special Via iPod
Available from AudioGO as a compact disc and a download Dad’s Army: Christmas Special - Present Arms is an audio treat fans of classic comedy can enjoy all year round.
The timeless good clean fun of Dad’s Army makes this a release suitable for comedy fans of all ages and sounds excellent whether listening through a music system or on a personal MP3 player or iPod.
