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Post by Katie on Jul 18, 2010 19:04:44 GMT 12
Series 3 Episode 9: War Dance
Broadcast on 6/11/69
It's the Home Guard dance and Pikey, who's nearly 19, is bringing ATS girl Violet Gibbins, whose Mother used to clean for Mainwaring. Violet worked in a fish and chip shop and Woolworth's, and Mainwaring doesn't think the girl is suitable when considering Pike's future in the bank. He persuades a chary Wilson to talk to the boy. But it's no good; Pike tells him he's announcing their engagement at the dance, even though his Mother knows nothing of the relationship.
At the dance, Jones is told to stop Pikey getting to the mike but fails. When Mrs Pike later throws a bucket of water over Frank, he decides married life isn't for him after all.
Also appearing: Frank Williams (the Vicar), Edward Sinclair (the Verger), Janet Davies (Mrs Pike), Nan Braunton (Miss Godfrey), Sally Douglas (Blodwin), The Graham Twins (Doris and Dora), Olive Mercer (Mrs Yeatman).
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 18, 2010 20:49:55 GMT 12
This is a brilliant episode, it has lots of great moments in it and really deals with the personal lives and class prejudices very well.
I like when they are setting up the hall and Pike gets told off for making it look like the King and Queen had quarrelled.
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Post by jonboy on Jul 18, 2010 21:06:02 GMT 12
Jones impressions of Jack Warner & George Arliss are so bad they are funny , Mannering's snobbery comes to the fore when he says Violet Gibbin's mother used to 'oblige' them, then Wilson says of Violet 'And now she's obliging Frank'... Great stuff..
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Post by Molly on Jul 18, 2010 22:28:16 GMT 12
I really like this one too. Dave and John, the scenes you both mention are probably my two favourite scenes from War Dance. It's really nice to see the platoon in a social situation. I think we see so much of each of the character's, er, characteristics I suppose  There is Frazer in his kilt looking proud as ever to be Scottish, which is lovely. We see Godfrey as ever-the-gentleman, but just a little out of step with the rest of the world. Walker doing what he does best and supplying bits and pieces for the dance. And we see Jones' sense of humour/impressions, that as you say John, are so bad, they're funny! He is also desperate to be involved as always as he takes the job of announcing the guests. And the storyline of Pike and his first (?) romance is very clever and I thought rather sympathetically dealt with. |
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Post by Katie on Jul 18, 2010 22:42:52 GMT 12
I love this episode too, so many funny moments. ;D
I like the little scene in the office where the Dance Commitee are discussing the arrangements for the food, drink and music. Godfrey's "Maids of Honour" sounded yummy!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 19, 2010 10:25:35 GMT 12
Trust Walker to bring twins!
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Post by Katie on Jul 22, 2010 3:22:49 GMT 12
And tying in nicely with this thread, don't forget to take a listen to this month's Dad's Army Podcast. James and Oliver discuss War Dance and if you're clever you can watch it while listening to the commentary! dadsarmy.podomatic.com/ |
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Post by turntostone on Jul 23, 2010 6:51:26 GMT 12
Trust Walker to bring twins! Only he could get away with that!! ;D |
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Post by turntostone on Jul 23, 2010 7:20:36 GMT 12
War Dance is one of my favourite episodes ever ;D Wilson telling Pike to switch the pictures of the King and Queen around as they look like they've just had an argument!! Brilliant  |
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Post by stephen68 on May 14, 2012 3:10:54 GMT 12
Great episode, Mr Godfrey in his top hat and cape and Mr & Mrs Yeatman waltzing together with stony faces in a word awesome.
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Post by hawksmoor on Aug 15, 2012 10:03:47 GMT 12
Watched this tonight and thoroughly enjoyed it, it's a real feature episode for Walker, isn't it? Jimmy Beck gets plenty to do and plays it really well.
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Post by tlyne on Apr 13, 2014 11:13:38 GMT 12
Loved Frazer threatening to bash Jones' face in if he makes fun of his kilt, and then telling Mainwearing he'll give him another black eye. Pvt Frazer, always bringing sunshine to any gathering. By the way, when Jonesie traded in Mrs. Prosser for Mrs. Fox, he made a wise choice.
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Post by stephen68 on Apr 14, 2014 3:14:46 GMT 12
I like Mainwaring's comment, when Blodwen apologises for not wearing a dress, and Mainwaring says don't worry your partner amply made up for it, regarding Frazer's kilt .
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Post by Andy Howells on Sept 21, 2015 11:24:47 GMT 12
Watching this again today I love the dialogue between Wilson and Mainwaring when they discuss Frank's career in the bank and Wilson's relationship with Mrs Pike, also the moment when Mainwaring insists Wilson has a private chat with Frank about Frank's relationship with Violet Gibbons stressing a moment of opportunity has arisen and Wilson should face up to his responsibilities. Wilson declines and Mainwaring refers to him as "Peter Pan" stressing that hes never quite grown up, "By God Mainwaring - you can strike below the belt when it suits you!" is quite an outburst from Wilson and seems to startle Mainwaring!
Also anyone notice the thick rimmed spectacles John Le Mesurier wears in the early part of the episode in the bank? I wonder if these would have been the style in 1940 or if they were actually John Le Mes own glasses? either way he doesn't seem to like wearing them as he keeps taking them off at every opportunity!
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Post by mattvinyl on Sept 23, 2015 0:03:07 GMT 12
Also anyone notice the thick rimmed spectacles John Le Mesurier wears in the early part of the episode in the bank? I wonder if these would have been the style in 1940 or if they were actually John Le Mes own glasses? either way he doesn't seem to like wearing them as he keeps taking them off at every opportunity! Ha, I noticed this! He puts them on and takes them off almost everytime he speaks. I wonder why he only uses them in this episode? I do like this episode too, I'll similarly rate it as a 9/10. Also, does anyone know whether Wilson's brilliant 'mistake' ("I'm Frank... ...no I'm not.") was scripted or a genuine mistake? It's funny either way. |
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Grace
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Post by Grace on Sept 26, 2015 10:00:53 GMT 12
Ah just noticed this post. Yes, I'm sure it wasn't scripted. It definitely seems like a mistake, it's the way he reacts when he says it...that little shake of the head.
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Post by neilold on Sept 26, 2015 21:05:13 GMT 12
i always wonder is Clive dunns impression of George Arliss in the house of Rothchild, or rather the way he looks an accurate portrayal? I ask because when he turns round he gets a big audible gasp from those watching him, and i wonder if its meant in appreciation of him actually looking like him, both in costume and actual looks.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 28, 2015 20:57:05 GMT 12
 George Arliss... |
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Post by neilold on Sept 30, 2015 10:16:40 GMT 12
Lol! He sorta does look like him a little bit, thanks Dave!
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Post by ohblimey on Nov 5, 2015 23:29:56 GMT 12
Walkers feedback was hilarious during the committee meeting...
7:14 on wards...ha ha
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There is Frazer in his kilt looking proud as ever to be Scottish, which is lovely. We see Godfrey as ever-the-gentleman, but just a little out of step with the rest of the world. Walker doing what he does best and supplying bits and pieces for the dance. And we see Jones' sense of humour/impressions, that as you say John, are so bad, they're funny! He is also desperate to be involved as always as he takes the job of announcing the guests. And the storyline of Pike and his first (?) romance is very clever and I thought rather sympathetically dealt with.
