´óÏó´«Ã½

Image: The cast of episode 1 of Dad's Army; John Ringham as Private Bracewell (the character's only appearance in the series), James Beck as Private Joe Walker, John Laurie as Private James Frazer, Arnold Ridley as Private Charles Godfrey, Ian Lavender as Private Frank Pike, Clive Dunn as Lance Corporal Jack Jones, Arthur Lowe as Captain George Mainwaring and John Le Mesurier as Sergeant Arthur Wilson.

On 31 July 1968, viewers of ´óÏó´«Ã½ One met a group of elderly soldiers and a 'stupid boy' for the first time. Dad's Army became an instant classic with its gentle humour, nostalgia and pride in the men who gave their all for their country, whatever that all happened to be.

Set during the Second World War, Dad's Army followed the Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard as they prepared to repel Nazi invaders. The scene was set with the original theme, "Who Do You Think You are Kidding Mr Hitler?" sung by Bud Flanagan. 

The members of the platoon were created by Jimmy Perry and David Croft and given life by an outstanding cast of established actors. Arthur Lowe was pompous bank manager Captain Mainwaring, with John Le Mesurier as diffident Sergeant Wilson. Clive Dunn played old soldier Lance Corporal Jones and John Laurie was the doom–mongering Scot Private Frazer.

Arnold Ridley was the geriatric Private Godfrey, while the spiv Private Walker was played by James Beck. Ian Lavender as clumsy young Private Pike was the youngest cast member. The Germans were hardly ever seen, but the platoon's present enemy was ARP Warden Hodges - played by Bill Pertwee – who was forever telling them to "put that light out".

Dad's Army ended in 1977 after 80 episodes, but still picks up new followers and gains sizeable audiences for repeats. The show has been adapted for radio and for the stage and two films have been made, in 1971 and 2016. It has consistently ranked highly in polls - coming in at 13 on the BFI TV 100 of greatest British television programmes in 2000 - and is for many people the classic British sitcom.