In the 1970s the British film industry went through a craze for turning hit TV comedies into big screen features. From On the Buses (1971) to Porridge (1979), Dad's Army was one of the few which made the transition with style. Set in the small south coast town of Walmington-on-Sea in 1940, the film does have the structure of three TV episodes remade and sequenced together. Beginning with the formation of the local Home Guard, the company has a self-contained adventure on military manoeuvres, before a finale which allows for some heroism as three German officers take over the church hall. Dad's Army has all the gentle character comedy of the classic BBC TV series, benefiting enormously by retaining the entire television cast, headed by the incomparable Arthur Lowe as the blustering Captain Mainwaring and supported by the equally wonderful John Le Mesurier and Clive Dunn. The cinema budget allows far superior production values to the original series, with a loving re-creation of 1940's England and some surprisingly beautiful cinematography. Above all, the film is both funny and a nostalgic reminder of a time when ordinary middle-aged and old men could be both real and movie heroes. --Gary S. Dalkin
First time on Blu-Ray in the UK. The film spin-off from the much-loved TV comedy series starring Arthur Lowe as the commander of an incompetent Home Guard platoon in wartime Britain. With the trusted comedy genius from the TV series shining through, Mainwaring and company save the day when a crew of a German aircraft take the vicar and villagers hostage in the church.
The Warden Says 2 (DVD) ANOTHER COLLECTION OF WARTIME PUBLIC INFORMATION FILMS Bill Pertwee, Warden Hodges from TV's Dad's Army is back to teach you everything you need to know to survive the Blitz, cope with the trails of rationing and make the very best of life on the Home Front! If you want to do your bit ot confound the Hun, The Warden will show you how to organise your own Fire Guard, use your gas mask effectively and keep roads clear for the chaps in the emergency services, using rare and previously unavailable public information films and cinema newsreels of the time. DVD (All Regions), Cert E, Aprox. running time 101 minutes
A star-studded, who's who of British cinema features in this delightful tale of a young street urchin, Tom (Tommy Pender) who unwittingly helps petty crooks (James Mason and Bernard Cribbins) rob a rich country house. As Tom escapes the police by jumping into a lake, he is transported to an underwater cartoon-world where he has to help others fi nd safety in order to redeem himself and return home. Also features Billie Whitelaw, Joan Greenwood, David Tomlinson and the voices of Jon Pertwee, Lance Percival and David Jason.
If the mark of a successful TV comedy is that repeat showings attract new viewers, then Dad's Army must be one of the best. The Very Best of Dad's Army includes five episodes almost covering its whole time span--from 1969's "Sons of the Sea", an entertaining caper when lost at home, to 1977's final episode "Never Too Old", in which sparky Corporal Jones marries his longtime sweetheart, and the ageing Second World War platoon drinks a toast to Britain's Home Guard. Along with these is 1973's "The Deadly Attachment", where a captive U-boat crew falls prey to dummy hand-grenades; 1972's "Keep Young and Beautiful", a touching tale of looking younger and sticking together; and the same year's "Asleep in the Deep", where the platoon uses its skill and judgement, plus a little luck, to escape a life-threatening situation. Fans and newcomers will enjoy the priceless interplay of Arthur Lowe and John le Mesurier, along with the contributions of Clive Dunn, John Laurie, Arnold Ridley, Ian Lavender and James Beck, in this nostalgic depiction of Britain as it once was. On the DVD: The 4:3 picture reproduction has come up well and the dual mono sound is more than adequate. Each episode features six scene selections, while the artist profiles provide brief but relevant biographical details. The half-hour Selection Box gives celebrities past and present a chance to pick their favourite extracts and explain just why they're hooked. Chances are you will be too.--Richard Whitehouse
Hello, honky-tonks! How're you? A regular on television over four decades, Dick Emery was one of Britain's comedy giants. A natural mimic and man of many guises, his comic brilliance created many memorable characters including the incomparably thick Bovver Boy, doddery old git Lampwick, the incredibly toothy Vicar and the unforgettably camp Clarence! Though most of his output was for the BBC, Emery made three high popular variety specials for Thames Television at the turn of the '80s. Featuring a new cast of flamboyant creations alongside his vintage comic favourites, these shows also feature the talents of Beryl Reid, Lulu, The Three Degrees and Dad's Army's Bill Pertwee; Dam Busters star Richard Todd helps recreate some famous PoW adventures and Lynda Carter just about manages to hold her own among Emery's very own Wonder Women busty bombshell Mandy, man-eating spinster Hettie, and the ever-popular Duchess!
The comedy series about self-sufficiency written by Harry Driver and Vince Powell (""Nearest and Dearest"" ""Love Thy Neighbour"") from 1969 which pre-empted ""The Good Life"" by six years. All the episodes from the comedy series starring Carry On stalwart Sid James.
What better time for a heist than in the fog of war? In a daring attempt to end WWII by Christmas 35 000 U.S. troops are dropped behind enemy lines in German occupied Holland. In the midst of the largest airborne invasion in history one small unit of men codename ""Matchbox"" has its own agenda; to lay claim to a horde of Nazi gold in the vicinity. When Matchbox are shot down short of their landing zone the odds of success seem hopeless. Seven very different soldiers find t
The Very Best of Dad's Army, Vol 2 is a further helping of episodes from the BBC's most durable comedy, well chosen to illustrate the variety of situations and predicaments in which Warmington-on-Sea's home guard find themselves. "Menace from the Deep" sees them marooned on the town pier, having to contend with a rogue mine and an inebriated Hodges. "Mum's Army" has Captain Mainwaring set up a women's division and promptly fall for the charming Miss Gray, in a cunning take on Brief Encounter. "No Spring for Frazer" charts Frazer's beleaguered attempts to locate a missing gun part with predictably disastrous results. "When Did You Last See Your Money?" similarly puts Corporal Jones through the mill after he switches a package containing £500 with one containing a half-pound of sausages. Finally, "The Honourable Man" brings the enmity of Mainwaring and Sergeant Wilson to a head when the latter inherits an honorary title. The performances have that spontaneity and gently self-mocking humour so familiar, yet so enjoyable, however many times around. On the DVD: The Very Best of Dad's Army, Vol 2 on disc has an accompanying documentary (partially reprised from that on Volume 1) containing interviews with surviving cast members, present-day comedians and Messrs Croft and Perry, whose inspired scriptwriting continues to amuse and entertain. The early-70s prints have come up well, with subtitles and six chapter headings per episode to make locating favourite scenes easier than ever. --Richard Whitehouse
The Water Babies tells the story of Tom, a chimney sweep who gets framed for theft in 1850s England. Even though a young girl named Ellie knows the real thieves' identities and tries to clear Tom's name, Tom's desperate escape run lands him right in the middle of Dead Man's Pool. Assumed to have met certain death, Tom gets sucked into a magical underwater world. Tom befriends the creatures he meets beneath the sea, and they accompany him on a journey to the land of Water Babies, where he intends to ask the all-powerful Cracken to help him return to the world above the water. However, when Tom finally does manage to return to land, life is far from idyllic as he must set out clear his name and trap the real thieves. Many adults possess fond memories of seeing this 1978 movie as children. The land portions of this musical feature live-action footage, while the water sequence is fully animated. To a fresh, modern audience, the abrupt change from one format to the other is somewhat disconcerting, as is the choppy, older animation style. The story, based on the classic children's book of the same name by Charles Kingsley, is an intriguing look at both Victorian culture and the fantasy world. (Ages 4-8) --Tami Horiuchi, Amazon.com
An outstanding comedy series written by acclaimed veterans Jimmy Perry and David Croft which reunited many of the cast from the award-winning sitcom Hi-De-Hi! Working class chancer Alf Stokes (Paul Shane) and James Twelvetrees (Jeffrey Holland) first meet as soldiers in the battle trenches of France during the First World War. They find the body of an officer and assuming that he's dead Alf robs him of his valuables. Then they find that the officer the Honourable Teddy Me
A star-studded, who's who of British cinema features in this delightful tale of a young street urchin, Tom (Tommy Pender) who unwittingly helps petty crooks (James Mason and Bernard Cribbins) rob a rich country house. As Tom escapes the police by jumping into a lake, he is transported to an underwater cartoon-world where he has to help others fi nd safety in order to redeem himself and return home. Also features Billie Whitelaw, Joan Greenwood, David Tomlinson and the voices of Jon Pertwee, Lance Percival and David Jason.
An outstanding comedy series written by acclaimed veterans Jimmy Perry and David Croft which reunited many of the cast from the award-winning sitcom Hi-De-Hi! Working class chancer Alf Stokes (Paul Shane) and James Twelvetrees (Jeffrey Holland) first meet as soldiers in the battle trenches of France during the First World War. They find the body of an officer and assuming that he's dead Alf robs him of his valuables. Then they find that the officer the Honourable Teddy Me
Working class chancer Alf Stokes (Paul Shane) and James Twelvetrees (Jeffrey Holland) first meet as soldiers in the trenches in France during the First World War. They find the body of an officer and assuming that he's dead Alf robs him of his valuables. Then they find that the officer the Honourable Teddy Meldrum (Michael Knowles) is still alive so they carry him off to a field hospital. Ten years later James is working in the household of Teddy's brother Lord Meldrum (Donald
Bill Pertwee found fame as the bad tempered ARP warden in the sitcom 'Dad's Army'. In this role he presents and narrates an astonishing array of public service films from WWII. Features 'Make Do And Mend' 'Careless Talk Costs Lives' and many others....
The Water Babies tells the story of Tom, a chimney sweep who gets framed for theft in 1850s England. Even though a young girl named Ellie knows the real thieves' identities and tries to clear Tom's name, Tom's desperate escape run lands him right in the middle of Dead Man's Pool. Assumed to have met certain death, Tom gets sucked into a magical underwater world. Tom befriends the creatures he meets beneath the sea, and they accompany him on a journey to the land of Water Babies, where he intends to ask the all-powerful Cracken to help him return to the world above the water. However, when Tom finally does manage to return to land, life is far from idyllic as he must set out clear his name and trap the real thieves. Many adults possess fond memories of seeing this 1978 movie as children. The land portions of this musical feature live-action footage, while the water sequence is fully animated. To a fresh, modern audience, the abrupt change from one format to the other is somewhat disconcerting, as is the choppy, older animation style. The story, based on the classic children's book of the same name by Charles Kingsley, is an intriguing look at both Victorian culture and the fantasy world. (Ages 4-8) --Tami Horiuchi, Amazon.com
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