Dad’s Army. Richard Webber
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Название: Dad’s Army
Автор: Richard Webber
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Кинематограф, театр
isbn: 9780007372591
isbn:
Location filming took place in and around Thetford, Norfolk, using the open spaces of the military training grounds. After the interior scenes were recorded at BBC Television Centre, the first episode, ‘The Man And The Hour’, was transmitted on 31st July 1968 and met with a mixed reaction from the press. Meanwhile, the results from an audience survey requested by David Croft were so negative he prevented the results reaching his bosses, fearing they would pull the plug on the show. Thankfully, the sitcom was given the chance to mature and before long its popularity was growing.
The show ran for nine series, plus Christmas Specials, over a period of nine years but there was a moment, in 1975, when its future was uncertain. Perry and Croft were enjoying success with the Dad’s Army stage show, which afforded them the opportunity to assess whether they wanted to continue with the TV series. Fortunately for the show’s many fans, the then controller of BBC1, David Attenborough, wined and dined Perry and Croft and persuaded them to continue.
The last series ran through Autumn 1977, culminating in ‘Never Too Old’, an episode which saw Corporal Jones and Mrs Fox finally tie the knot. It was the end of an era but little did anyone know that the programme would carry on entertaining millions for decades to come.
Mainwaring begins interviewing the Walmington residents who’ve volunteered to join the Home Guard. Wilson, who’s been made sergeant, doesn’t bark out the commands as Mainwaring would like.
Wilson asks the first volunteer to enter the office.
WILSON: Would you mind stepping this way, please?
MAINWARING: Sergeant Wilson, come here. I intend to mould those men out there into an aggressive fighting unit. I’m going to lead them, command them, and inspire them to become ruthless killers, but I’m not going to get very far if you keep inviting them to ‘step this way’. ‘Quick march’ is the order, Wilson.
WILSON: I’m sorry, sir. (To the man who’s already standing at the table) Quick march!
FRAZER: There’s not much point, I’m here already.
MAINWARING: Name, please?
FRAZER: James Frazer.
‘Can I be excused?’ (Godfrey)
MAINWARING: Occupation?
FRAZER: I keep a philatelist’s shop.
MAINWARING: How d’you spell that?
FRAZER: S…H…O…P…
Memories…
‘I’ll never forget the first day of filming because it snowed – and it was supposed to be summer! I don’t think it showed, though. When it finally stopped and we were ready to do the first shot, David [Croft] asked me to go and get everyone. A lot of them were sitting in David’s Rolls-Royce, so I opened the door, saying: “OK, chaps, we’re ready to go now.” I didn’t know what they’d be like, I thought they’d be enthusiastic but Arthur replied: “We’ll come when we’re ready.” I went back to David and said: “We’ve got a right lot of miserable sods here, David!” They were hard-nosed old pros but bloody good: they knew their job, that’s the main thing.’
JIMMY PERRY
Memories…
‘Arthur Lowe was a good all-round actor, very experienced, and was able to call upon all these little mannerisms. He could be obstructive and awkward but if you knew how to handle him, he was fine. He was an old actor and we understood him well and he understood us. The important thing was not to drive him into a corner or get fundamental opinions from him. I never asked the actors what they thought of things, it was safer that way. Arthur’s character meant he could be pedantic and like Mainwaring at times, but then all the actors were like their characters, to a point.
‘He wasn’t prepared to welcome the public. Once, a member of the public had got autographs of all the other actors. He was talking to his friend, who asked whether he had Mainwaring’s? He replied: “No, he’s a miserable old toad.” Arthur had waved him away. He said: “I don’t do that when I’m working.” Bill Pertwee actually told the story at dinner that night, and Joan, Arthur’s wife, said: “There you are, Arthur, that’s the image you project.” He did, however, have the grace to laugh at himself.
‘I’ll always remember how much he loved his food and was often late getting on the coach in the mornings. It was no good taking him away until he’d been. He was a lovely man but the whole schedule was built around Arthur Lowe’s bowels!’
DAVID CROFT
‘THE LONELINESS OF THE LONG-DISTANCE WALKER’
Walker has just announced he’s been called up. The members of the platoon, however, have other things on their minds.
FRAZER: This is terrible news, Joe, terrible! What about my whisky?
JONES: And my gin?
GODFREY: What about my sisters’ fudge?
PIKE: What about my mum’s elastic?
MAINWARING: Don’t be selfish, men. We mustn’t think about ourselves. By the way, what about my whisky?
Memories…
‘Jimmy Beck was my first choice to play Walker. Jimmy Perry wrote the part for himself but I didn’t want that to happen because although he was a very good actor and would have been fine in the part, I didn’t want an actor who’d written the show taking part. Firstly, everyone would think he’d written himself the best part and I wouldn’t have had his influence at rehearsals and during the recordings.
‘I’d worked with Jimmy Beck before, not in any big capacity, but his career was going great guns and he was obviously a very talented performer. He did a good job and gave a very funny interpretation.’
DAVID CROFT
Jones, inside a phone box, tries reporting an enemy plane has crashed. Unfortunately, he’s incorrectly connected to the local cinema.
JONES: Major Brooks?
DOREEN: (With puzzled look at receiver) Yes, that’s right.
JONES: СКАЧАТЬ