Dad's Army is like a precious family heirloom that gets passed from generation to generation and everyone who sees it can't help but laugh. It's gentle humour just never dates. Laughter for the unborn child; fun for the one in the grave.
I think it's surviving popularity is due to the fact it was superbly written and acted and its aforementioned gentleness because within that gentleness is a barbed message ridiculing the British class system. When such messages are delivered so politely you can't fail to at least listen to the message whereas if you use a sledgehammer to crack a nut (Rik Mayall's The Young Ones springs instantly to mind) then after the shock value has worn off you find the humour isn't funny as 'the shock' was
the humour.
Dad's Army really benefits from the fact that it came when it did for the cast ensemble or that the cast were of their age when Dad's Army came along. Most were at the end of their's careers, had experience in abundance (not just of acting but of life itself including the remembrance of the 2nd World War) and could use that experience to make their characters real, authentic, flawed and all. That and they were all just so damm funny.
The genius of humour unfolds before your eyes. How can anyone not recommend such a treasure trove of fun?
THE COMPLETE 7TH SERIES
1. Everybody's Trucking
The home guard are out in force placing sign posts for a major military exercise. Returning home they find the road blocked by a steam engine. It's a simple matter of driving around it. Isn't it?
2. A Man Of Action
When a land mine cuts off power supplies, Captain Mainwaring declares martial law. Now he just has to get pike's head out of the park gates!
3. Gorilla Warfare
A training exercise finds the platoon acting as commandos picking up a secret agent, played by Mainwaring. First they have to deal with a determined ape.
4. The Godiva Affair
At the town parade Mainwaring and his men are taking part as morris dancers, but who will play lady Godiva? Mrs Pike, Mrs Fox, or an even bigger surprise?
5. The Captain's Car
When Lady Maltby donates her Rolls Royce to the war effort, Mainwaring decides that it would make an ideal staff car - as soon as Frazer has covered it in camouflage paint...
6. Turkey Dinner
Jones accidental shooting of a turkey enables the platoon to throw a Christmas dinner for the elderly in Walmington-On-Sea, with Mainwaring as master of ceremonies.
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