Goodbye Clive Dunn, thanks for the laughs

[salymap]

I've started watching the weekend broadcast after a long break from it. Some programmmes are better than others but it's lovely that it's still appreciated by most of us. RIP Clive Dunn.

Someone mentioned Thetford earlier. Ibelieve they have a statue of Mainwaring there. How many statues are there of sitcom characters?

[french frank]

I would lump Dad's Army with Last of the Summer Wine as the most boring sitcoms ever put out by the BBC

To write it off as just a 'sitcom' - where the interest lies principally in the situation and storyline - is to fail to appreciate the writers' comic creations in the characters themselves and the way the actors brought them to life. The 'situation' is (not wishing to downplay it too much) just the additional interest. The appeal lies in the characters and the actors, each week in a slightly different context but always reacting consistently.

Of course, if you didn't think the characters were funny ...

[Nick Armstrong]

To write it off as just a 'sitcom' - where the interest lies principally in the situation and storyline - is to fail to appreciate the writers' comic creations in the characters themselves and the way the actors brought them to life. The 'situation' is (not wishing to downplay it too much) just the additional interest. The appeal lies in the characters and the actors, each week in a slightly different context but always reacting consistently.

Of course, if you didn't think the characters were funny ...

Exactly.... I can't believe anyone wouldn't find Arthur Lowe's 'Mainwaring' funny, the perfect incarnation of a particular kind of Englishman... well, of human being.. self-important, pompous but at the same time sound.

The episode (a Christmas special) where he plays in addition the rôle of Mainwaring's disreputable drunken brother 'Barry' is comic sublimity.

- Mainwaring checks waistcoat fob watch on its chain
- Barry: Don't pull too hard, you'll flush yourself....

[Mary Chambers]

I avoided Dad's Army for a long time. I didn't think anything with 'army' in the title was likely to appeal to me. Then one day I saw an episode and was converted at once. The 'army' part is almost incidental. It's about people and their idiosyncrasies, and above all, I think. about British class sensitivities, always fascinating and the stuff of much good comedy.

RIP Clive, and don't panic!

[salymap]

I've started watching the weekend broadcast after a long break from it. Some programmmes are better than others but it's lovely that it's still appreciated by most of us. RIP Clive Dunn.

Someone mentioned Thetford earlier. Ibelieve they have a statue of Mainwaring there. How many statues are there of sitcom characters?

I love the programme and have a relative near Thetford who told me about the statue. Sorry if 'sitcom' annoyed. But ifit is not a 'situation comedy'of the very best kind, what one word describes it?

[MrGongGong]

I can't believe anyone wouldn't find Arthur Lowe's 'Mainwaring' funny, the perfect incarnation of a particular kind of Englishman

Though the acting is great
and it's sad to see someone so widely loved die
I'm a bit relieved that i'm not alone in finding Dad's Army devoid of humour
even first time round for me (in the 1970's) I found it tedious (though not as much as Last of The Summer Wine which has ruined Holmfirth )

still it's fine for those who like it .................

[mangerton]

Yes, an excellent programme, once the appalling sig tune is over. That reference to "Old England" still grates after all these years. We were, after all, all in it together.

Exactly.... I can't believe anyone wouldn't find Arthur Lowe's 'Mainwaring' funny, the perfect incarnation of a particular kind of Englishman... well, of human being.. self-important, pompous but at the same time sound.

The episode (a Christmas special) where he plays in addition the rôle of Mainwaring's disreputable drunken brother 'Barry' is comic sublimity.

- Mainwaring checks waistcoat fob watch on its chain
- Barry: Don't pull too hard, you'll flush yourself....

Quite! Does anyone here remember Arthur Lowe in "Potter", exactly the same sort of character?

[amateur51]

I think Clive Dunn's creation of Corporal Jones is comic gold. The script helps of course but after a few episodes, which came first I wonder?

I often mutter "Don't Panic" to myself when my debit card is awaiting verification at a check-out - it's reassuring how many young people grin when I do :smile:

Many thanks Clive

[amateur51]

Though the acting is great
and it's sad to see someone so widely loved die
I'm a bit relieved that i'm not alone in finding Dad's Army devoid of humour
even first time round for me (in the 1970's) I found it tedious (though not as much as Last of The Summer Wine which has ruined Holmfirth )

still it's fine for those who like it .................

I only truly appreciated Last of the Summer Wine when I retired and acquired a small group of gay male friends of the same vintage & older.

We often go out for a late morning/early afternoon of Coffee - Gallery - Pub - Cheap Lunch - Home for a snooze and the arrangement is known as Last of The Summer Wine

[MrGongGong]

I only truly appreciated Last of the Summer Wine when I retired and acquired a small group of gay male friends of the same vintage & older.

We often go out for a late morning/early afternoon of Coffee - Gallery - Pub - Cheap Lunch - Home for a snooze and the arrangement is known as Last of The Summer Wine

Aren't they what are known as "camp followers" ?

(but the might not all be , of course )

[amateur51]

Aren't they what are known as "camp followers" ?

(but the might not all be , of course )

Oh we have our moments, especially when we need to get a bit of space in the pub

[Nick Armstrong]

Oh we have our moments, especially when we need to get a bit of space in the pub

[mercia]

at the risk of trying to be serious about a comedy programme, what I found interesting about the Corporal Jones character was that he was born probably in the 1860's and fought in the Sudan in the 1880's and talked about Gordon of Khartoum and the fuzzy-wuzzies; and at a pinch his grandfather may even have been born in the 18th century.

.....the historical link, if you follow me .............

[BBMmk2]

They don't like it up 'em!

RIP Corperal Jones aka Clive Dunn

[Nick Armstrong]

at the risk of trying to be serious about a comedy programme, what I found interesting about the Corporal Jones character was that he was born probably in the 1860's and fought in the Sudan in the 1880's and talked about Gordon of Khartoum and the fuzzy-wuzzies; and at a pinch his grandfather may even have been born in the 18th century.

.....the historical link, if you get me .............

Indeed, and I'd vaguely thought about it without ever having established a chronology.

I see the Battle of Omdurman which Cpl. Jones often mutters about was on 2 September 1898... the "Mad Mahdi" etc etc...