Dad's Army News

Arthur Lowe subject for new TV documentary

September 11 2002

BBC Two's Reputations, on Saturday, September 21, looks at Arthur Lowe who, twenty years after his death, remains one of Britain's favourite comic actors.

His pompous, self-defeating Captain Mainwaring, who appeared in 81 episodes of Dad's Army, will remain forever etched on the nation's memories. Yet Lowe's life ended on a low ebb.

Considered one of the greatest actors of his generation by his peers, Lowe had both the chance of playing theatre's great classical roles and a shot at Hollywood. But he allowed his talent to be fritter away and ended his life in second-rate rep and pantomime productions.

Lowe had an intense relationship with his wife, Joan Cooper. Many, including Lowe's son, Stephen, believe that the destructive nature of his relationship was one of the reasons behind the actor's downfall. Cooper, also acted, she was a heavy drinker and was a strong controlling influence over Lowe and his career.

Sourced from www.waveguide.co.uk

New Books For Autumn 2002

The Printing press is working overtime this autumn for Dad's Army fans with many new books heading for the Christmas lists. More details on some of these as and when they arrive but check out the following list...

Graham McCann's excellent Dad's Army - The Story of a Classic Television Show was reissued in paperback on September 2nd by Fourth Estate.

Graham Lord's biography of Arthur Lowe, A Life that Lead to Mainwaring is available from September 26th, published by Orion books. The book has already recieved some publicity with a serialisation of extracts printed in the Daily Mail and a forthcoming TV documentary (see above).

1st October sees Frank Williams - From Vicar To Dad's Army written by Frank with Chris Gidney. Perfectly cast as the eccentric vicar, constantly tetchy at the invasion of his church hall by Captain Mainwaring and the elderly platoon, Frank appeared in the series throughout its nine-year run and also in many other television and stage dramas.

He is one of the best known faces in television comedy, yet the long-suffering vicar of Walmington-on-Sea is in real life a Christian of deep conviction. Still in constant demand for public appearances Frank takes an affectionate view behind the scenes of Dad's Army and the world of show business and reveals his personal journey through faith. Frank Williams - From Vicar To Dad's Army is published by Canterbury Press.

On 17th October, look out for Orion's second volume of scripts, "Dad's Army: The Home Front" by Jimmy Perry, David Croft and edited by Richard Webber, which covers series 5-8. These complete illustrated scripts also contain introductions to each episode by the actors, writers and producers of the series.

7th November sees yet another biography, this time from Dad's Army Creator Jimmy Perry. Stupid Boy published by Century is Jimmy's story from his early years growing up in London, his experiences in the Watford Home Guard, as a Gunner in Burma, as a member of the Royal Artillery Concert Party that travelled the Indian subcontinent entertaining the troops, as a Redcoat in Butlins, at RADA, in show business and much, much more.

Another reissue in paperback curiously is Jimmy Perry & David Croft's Dad's Army: The Lost Episodes (originally published in 1998) by Virgin on December 5th.

Into next year, Graham Stark who stood in for Jimmy Beck as Joe Walker in several radio episodes of Dad's Army releases his biography Stark Naked on 29th March 2003. Published by Sanctuary, his absorbing and funny autobiography reveals through witty anecdote the often surprising events that have occurred behind and in front of the camera. Graham has also granted access to his personal collection of photos of the numerous stars he has worked with. These are published for the first time to accompany his life story.

More News from September 2002