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Dad's Army News - October 2001

Compiled by Andy Howells

National Film Theatre Hosts Lost Dad's Army Classic

EXCLUSIVE!

17th October 2001

London's National Film Theatre will be hosting an afternoon of rediscovered archive programmes on Saturday 20th October 2001. The event "Missing Believed Wiped" will show a variety of rare archive shows and clips including the first showing in over 30 years of the recently rediscovered "Dad's Army" episode "The Battle of Godfrey's Cottage". It is also believed that "Dad's Army" creators Jimmy Perry and David Croft will be attending the event.

"The Battle of Godfrey's Cottage" has not been seen on British Television since its repeat showing in August 1969. It was one of the five lost episodes of "Dad's Army" believed to be missing forever, but returned to the BBC archive earlier this year.

Other lost programmes shown at the event which commences at 3pm on Saturday 20th October are an early episode of "The Avengers" featuring Ian Hendry, "Till Death Us Do Part" starring Warren Mitchell and an early Benny Hill programme.

Can You Help The BBC?

2nd October 2001

The BBC are currently researching all aspects of "Dad's Army" for a possible programme in the near future.

Assistant Producer, Chloe Homewood, is keen to hear from "Dad's Army" fans of all ages (particularly from the younger end of the spectrum) as to why they enjoy the series and its appeal to them. Chloe would also like to hear from fans who have unique items of "Dad's Army" memorabilia, and in particular any rare film footage or photographs from the making of the TV series.

New DVD Releases

3rd October 2001

October 1st saw the release of the first UK Dad's Army DVD.

"The Very Best of Dad's Army" features five episodes, "The Deadly Attachment", "Keep Young and Beautiful", "Never Too Old", "Asleep In The Deep" and "Son's Of The Sea"

An extra on the DVD includes "The Dad's Army Selection Box" including stars favourite clips from the show, this programme was originally shown back in 1997 and released on video earlier this year.

The same date also saw the release of the DVD, "The Very Best of Morecambe & Wise", featuring classic clips from Eric and Ernie's BBC TV series. This also features a guest appearance from Arthur Lowe and other members of the "Dad's Army" cast when they appeared in a classic 1971 sketch entitled "Monty on the Bonty". Both DVD's are available from BBC Worldwide.

New Books

3rd October 2001

Graham McCann appeared on BBC Radio 3's "Work In Progress" in late September.

You can hear the series at BBC Radio 3's Work In Progress Archive at www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/speech/workinp.shtml Meanwhile you can get Graham's book "Dad's Army - The Story of a Classic Television Show" on 15th October 2001 and it will retail at £16.99. You can read the press release for the book here.

Jimmy Perry and David Croft's, "Walmington Goes To War", edited by Richard Webber, was released on 28th September and retails for £20.00

Other books to follow soon will include an in-depth biography on Arthur Lowe by Graham Lord released by Orion books. Joan Le Mesurier's book "Dear John" compiled from many letters written by John Le Mesurier, will hopefully see an autumn release and will be published by Sidgwick & Jackson, retailing at around £16.99. More information on these releases as I get them.

Pike in Albert Square!

3rd October 2001

Ian Lavender, better known to "Dad's Army" fan's as Private Pike is to appear in BBC's "EastEnders" from November.

He will play Derek, opposite Wendy Richard's character Pauline Fowler. Wendy appeared in several episodes of "Dad's Army" herself as Joe Walker's girlfriend's, Shirley and Edith.