Top 10 Dads Army Moments

Top 10 Dad’s Army Moments

Welcome to WatchMojoUK, and today we’re travelling to Walmington-on-Sea, visiting their Home Guard, and looking at the top ten moments from “Dad’s Army.”

#10: Highland Cow Walker

"Operation Kilt"

Sadly, of “Dad’s Army’s” first two series, three episodes are lost. However, we still have the second series’ hilarious opener, “Operation Kilt.” On a training retreat – the platoon are challenged to defend their headquarters from the Highland Soldiers, acting as the enemy.

But a clever idea to infiltrate them first, has Walker suggest disguising himself and Frazer as something that “wouldn’t look out of place on a farm…” The emergence of the pair dressed as a pantomime cow, is hilarious enough… but then things go a little too native. Disregarding Mainwaring’s objections, they go anyway, jaunting into a field filled with bouvine… and attract the attention of a rather amorous bull… A moment of delightful visual comedy… arguably a panto crossover!

#9: Spelling It Out

"The Man and the Hour"

Similar to the previous entry, this moment comes from “Dad’s Army’s” earliest days… quite literally. "The Man and the Hour," serves as the sitcom’s pilot but was initially too long. In order to trim it down by five minutes for broadcast, much of the ensemble cast's important introductions had to be cut. Luckily, this particular one didn’t suffer in the edit; the first interaction between the broad Scottish accented Frazer, and the uptight RP-speaking Captain Mainwaring. Having announced he works at a philatelist’s shop, (before becoming an Undertaker), Frazer’s Highland Brogue requires Mainwaring a little dictation on how to spell it…which he does…(insert: “S... H... O…”)

The gag is an oldie, but a classic–somewhat apt for “Dad’s Army” and its characters, perhaps!

#8: Saluting in the Rain... Water

"The Royal Train"

By series six, David Croft and Jimmy Perry’s Home Guard showed no signs of slowing down – unlike the train that concerns much of its third episode. The King’s train is travelling through Walmington-on-Sea… and the platoon have 20 minutes to become the guard of honour. The episode is a series of farcical moments – a slow-stopping train is mistaken for the Royal carriage, Mrs Mainwaring’s sleeping tablets mistaken for sweeteners, and a high-speed flatbed chase after a train that cannot stop! The final image provides the best moment – The King’s Train finally arrives, just in time for the platoon to take up position and salute… next to the water trough. We might only “have been watching…” but we’re out of breath by the end!

#7: The Almost Affair

"Mum's Army"

A slight change of tone occurs in series four’s “Mum’s Army.” The premise is somewhat evident in the episode’s title – Mainwaring opening up the male-only Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard to include women. Of course, there is certainly plenty of laughs to be had in the onboarding interviews, and the Captain’s various commands for his lusty platoon members to reign it in. But the irony of Mainwaring falling for Mrs Fiona Grey quickly passes comedy into melancholy, showcasing that he is, in fact, a very lonely man… one who is prepared to shun his pristine reputation, just to hold on to his new found affections. The final moment of an unrequited Mainwaring watching Fiona leave town, is heartbreaking, and powerfully dramatic.

#6: Putting Out The Fire!

"Under Fire"

The original version of series two’s final episode, “Under Fire,” is one of three episodes lost to time. However, in 2019, they were remade with a new cast, but the original scripts. And, honestly, they did a great job of recapturing “Dad’s Army’s” spirit; and an equally wonderful job of showing just how farcical the original could be at times. “Under Fire’s” remade scenes of the platoon’s desperate attempts to put out a fire, perfectly re-encapsulating their typical clumsiness. We have to tip our berets to Kevin Eldon’s physical comedy here, as his flailing really embodies Clive Dunn’s Corporal Jones. Ok, nothing really can replace the original, but the remakes certainly get close enough, and further enhance how brilliant the writing was.

#5: “Nothing In It”

"Gorilla Warfare"

We’re back to resident Barra Islander and now-Undertaker, Private James Frazer. Actor John Laurie, who had actually served in the Home Guard, breathed eccentricity into the former Chief Petty Officer, with memorable catchphrases of “We’re Doomed!” and “Rubbish…” (with many ‘r’s). But these are rare one-liners compared to his long rambling tales. With the platoon having been chased and trapped in a barn by, apparently, a Gorilla; the ever-dour Frazer unsurprisingly has the "Story of the Auld Empty Barn" on hand as a tale… to help everyone relax for the night. After much build… it’s not quite the longwinded yarn we expected… but an uncharacteristic joke – characteristically delivered with the wide-eyed aggression only Laurie, as Frazer, could.

#4: Mirror Universe Mainwaring

Christmas Special - "My Brother and I"

We’re sticking with Frazer for a wee while longer, and another scene with Arthur Lowes’ Mainwaring… just not the one we’re expecting. We were already used to Captain George Mainwaring stony-face. But as it seems, he has a brother, Barry – who, as an outgoing, alcoholic businessman – is quite the opposite of our uptight, authoritative Bank Manager Captain. Or as Barry calls him: “Po-Face”. Of course, it has to be Frazer that meets him first, and gets some sordid details about his commander – much to his, and our, delight. Arthur Lowe expressed disappointment that the character didn’t reappear, and Pike actor Ian Lavender felt this was a real changing point for the show.

#3: Respectful in Disrespect

"A Soldier's Farewell"

By series five, “Dad’s Army” was well established as a consistent and family friendly comedy. We believed we’d gotten to know the characters very well. However, “A Soldier’s Farewell” proved to be more of a character study; and a very good one – on a character we thought we couldn’t learn more about: Captain Mainwaring. It also hosts a plethora of great and memorable moments; some are as expected such as his frustration over the platoon's lack of respect and good behaviour. And some, more metaphysical… and take Hodges’ assertion literally. Mainwaring dreams he is Napoleon Bonaparte–somehow adding an extra layer of humanity to the Home Guard commander, and once again, a brutally honest final scene reflecting on how his life has stagnated.

#2: The Conchie

"Branded"

Co-writer and creator Jimmy Perry considers this Series 3 episode as his favourite. We’ve already seen with “Mum’s Army” how the show could risk presenting more serious moments without sacrificing its comedy… but the bittersweet episode “Branded” had already proven it. After a usual calamitous set-up, the tone drastically changes to a more philosophical one, in the aftermath of Private Godfrey’s sudden resignation, as a conscientious objector… Godfrey’s unwillingness to fight and kill during the First World War, had branded him a coward, or “conchie.” The episode makes for a real philosophical discussion, particularly as it turned out Godfrey was actually a war hero, commended for saving lives instead of taking them.

#1: The List

"The Deadly Attachment"

Is it ironic that a list tops this list? It’s probably not surprising, as “The Deadly Attachment” is often touted as providing one of the best comedy moments of T.V., not just “Dad’s Army.” Of course, it's the hilarious exchange between Pike, Mainwaring and a prisoner German U-boat Captain, who likes to keep a list of all those who wronged him during the war. Mainwaring comparing Hitler to Charlie Chaplin has already landed him on it… but poor Pike only ends up listed by singing a derogatory song… and his Captain inadvertently giving away his name. Apparently, comedy is dangerous – Ian Lavender drew blood by biting his lip too hard to prevent his corpsing… although look closely and you’ll see he’s still smirking.

Were there any moments from the show that you feel are unfairly forgotten? Tell us, in the comments!