Who is your favourite Dads Army character?

davecov · Who is your favourite Dads Army character?

Exactly what it says! Vote for your favourite of the regular Dads Army characters. Feel free to make a post giving your reasons for your particular choice.

I don't really have a single favourite as I tend to appreciate different characters more than others at different times. Having said that, I have always had a soft spot for Godfrey.

lemonski

I think everyone has a soft spot for Godfrey. He can always come out with some statement that has no bearing on anything at all, and get a resigned look out of Mainwaring

Fraser has to be the favorite though, with his "wild and lonely isle of Barra" stories or the classic "I never doubted ye for a single minute" Laughing

davecov

Welcome lemonski and thank you for voting!

Dave

David Doherty

Hello lemonski!!! welocome to the forum!

Ah... Charles Godfrey... the man we all want to sit and have tea with!

hodders · Who is your favourite Dads Army character?

Mainwaring - my kids think he is practically evil - we've tried to explain that most people have good and bad in them, and Mainwaring's character displays both.

David Doherty

I think thats one of the things that makes the programme so good:

the fact that every facet of human characteristics and emotions are represented by all the characters.

David Doherty

p.s.

welcome hodders!

davecov

Welcome Hodders,

I must admit that in the Seventies I could not bear to watch Dad's Army because of Captain Mainwaring! I couldn't see anything funny about him or the series at all in those days. Obviously, as time has passed, I now appreciate just how good all the characters are!

Dave

wonder_will

I'm with Hodders on this one, it's Mainwaring all the way.

Not only is Arthur Lowe the best actor in the series (in my opinion), Mainwaring's subtleties, pompous nature and often downright rudeness are right up my street in terms of sense of humour.

Having said that, the only bad actor I can think of in the whole series is the Scottish kid (worst scottish accent I've ever heard) who play's Hodges' nephew.

I can see a new thread starting here for worst all time elements of DA!

Cracking forum Dave, look forward to chatting to all you members over the coming months!

Will

hodders

David Doherty

If i remember rightly, in the book "The A to Z of Dads Army" it states that they are not related......

But dont quote me on that! Very Happy

you stupid boy!

I have voted for wilson,he's so laid back and the way he winds mainwaring up is hilarious........i know i should have voted for pikey with a name like mine Exclamation

Ian

I voted for Walker as my fav

David Doherty

Just decided that my favourite changes each episode! (how diplomatic is that!?!) Laughing

lemonski

Maybe there should be another poll about your *least* favourite character - it's probably heresy but I find Corporal Jones (sometimes brilliant but) mostly irritating... Mad

...the other character I find mildly irritating is that Captain Square...oh, and Cheeseman Smile

davecov

I must admit that Jones used to irritate me a lot. But, when I met Clive Dunn in the flesh, he never seemed so bad after that! I think I have been annoyed by all of the major characters at some time - except for Godfrey, of course!

Dave

David Doherty

Least favourite character?

All I need to say about that is.......

"Oi! What about your dirties?"!!!

Blimey she was irritating!

Confused

lemonski

Hmmm...that would make a good quiz question! Wasn't she the woman who was serving Mainwaring in some cafeteria and all she had left was snook?

davecov

That was Edna played by Queenie Watts in "The Two and a Half Feathers":

Mainwaring - "What sort of fish is it? "

Edna - "Snoek. "

Mainwaring - "I beg your pardon? "

Edna - "Snoek. "

Mainwaring - "In that case, I think I'll have the toad-in-the-hole. "

Queenie Watts was just as irritating in real life and I couldn't stand her "loveable" Cockney characters such as she played in "Yus, My Dear" with another "loveable" Cockney - Arthur Mullard.

BTW, don't get me wrong, I've nothing against Cockneys - my father was one and my wife is one! She's not a bit like Ms Watts though! And I hope I'm not like Arthur Mullard! Wink

Dave

wonder_will

I must stand up for Jones here chaps. Not only is he the owner of some classic lines, I feel he is the perfect foil for Mainwaring and the catalyst of many other classic moments.

I know a certain George Mainwaring would also stand up for Jones - there are several moments in the series where Mainwaring, despite being annoyed with Jones drifting into the 'realms of fantasy' from time to time at times stands up for his Corporal.

I'm speaking without the videos in front of me but Mainwaring often speaks up with comments along the lines of "I don't know where we'd be without Jones", "he's got the courage of a Lion" and "look at the type of man this country produces" especially in Number Engaged. Jones is courageous, loyal and a good old English eccentric.

I agree that at times the more 'slapstick' moments can grate a little, but I maintain that Jack Jones is integral to the show's success - in terms of gags but also the underlying character relationships that we know pull on the heart strings time after time.

davecov

I don't think anybody would disagree with you about Jones' bravery and his character in general, Will. But even you admit "moments can grate a little".

I think it's a sign of a good comedy if you choice of favourite character changes from time to time, even if it means not liking one as much for a while... Wink

Dave

David Doherty

Would this be a good moment to say that I liked Hodges and Square at times?

fluff75

My vote is for Wilson. John Le Mesurier played the part so well. He was such an unlikely character to be in this Army, even in this series and of course the writers gave him a bit of mystery with Mavis and Pike.
I like the way he would stroke his ear and look so exasperated sometimes at Mainwaring. He played the part of an upper class man, in a subordinate role, of the late thirties/early forties to perfectionl Easily my favourite. Others I liked very much were Fraser, Walker and Godfrey.
Ron.

hodders · Wilson

he did play it well... but then, by all accounts, he was essentially playing himself!

pault

I voted for Pvt Walker.

Always scheming and getting on the wrong side of Cpt Mainwaring.

Was a great loss to the series when Jimmy Beck sadly passed away so suddenly.

Paul.

yeapb

I just loved Private Walker, I don't know what it was about him that attracted me, maybe his flaunting of authority? Don't we all want to rebel against authority at times? I absolutely HATED Cheeseman!

jo

Bramleyman

I have always liked L/Cpl Jones for the way he said: "They don't like it up 'em Mr. Mainwaring. They don't like it up 'em."
I actually met Clive Dunn and a good few years back, but never got to talk about Dad's Army.
I have also met Bill Pertwee at Sheringham on the North Norfolk Railway where they filmed 'The Royal Train' episode and had a very brief chat with him.

Fundy

I think it's got to be Mainwaring. The only way I can work that out is by seeing what it's like without him in certain scenes. I often find that when he's not there the episode seems to lose a bit of focus. I guess because Wilson is so laid back that he doesn't really have that much command over the men so it ends up a bit like a load of chums together. When Mainwaring comes on the scene then he wants everyone to follow his orders - and that's where alot of the laughs come from.... "I bags chairman" etc.

Still it's a very close call.

I have to say though that I really liked Cheesman in season 7 and think they could have done alot of good stuff with him, but I can understand why they decided to not have him back for seasons 8 and 9. He was a bit over the top, but I'm sure they could have altered that later on. Just take a look at Pike and how he sounds in the first 3 seasons - he changed quite a lot, so maybe it would have been possible with Cheesman. Still, it's water under the bridge now! Right o!

Fundy

Fuzileer

My vote is for Walker.

Always sneaking about, a mysterious character, even.
+ Although he could be annoying towards Mainwaring at times, he always had a good heart.
For example;
+ He got things in short supply for the people of Walmington-On-Sea, helped out the characters when in trouble (+the The Showing Up of Corporal Jones episode in particular, he came up with an idea to help out Jonesy and in Room at the Bottom also displays his support towards his down-trodden captain)
+ Knows, despite his view on the law in terms of his dealings, the difference between moral right and wrongs.
(For example, in Branded, his facial expression towards Godfrey shows his pain towards the treatment of him, When Did You Last See Your Money? shows that he really does care about Jonesy's well being and, finally, in A Brush with the Law, he also shows not only his feelings, but his friendship towards Mainwaring when he sticks up for him.)

Was a tragic loss for the series when he died. Personally, I think introducing Cheeseman was a huge mistake.
I know that they made a tribute towards him in the van during Things that Go Bump in the Night, but I thought they could have done a small tribute towards him in the last episode. I cant remember who said it, but if Jonesy was given a bottle of wine from Walker who was still in "The Smoke" via post, wouldve shown that Walker must not be forgotten as a member of the Platoon, despite his absence in the final 3 series.

cositscheaper

I think Walker is everyone's favourite, deep down. He was just the most interesting character, but you never found out much about him in terms of his family and his life.

straycat

straycat

Fundy

I think that one of the true strengths of the show was that there is no clear favourite. Everyone has their own favourite, but it's right across the board. Some like Mainwaring, some like Wilson, others Jones. I think they all had great and well loved roles to play (even Private Cheesman). The verger, hodges, and especially the vicar were roles that were absolutely nailed by the actors, and they weren't the main cast!!!!!

I mean, try and think of your worst liked character? It's hard, isn't it!!!! They were all so cut out to be who they were that none of them were less than great.

Fundy

jives11 · Greetings

Hi, I have just joined this forum having got the complete DVD set for Christmas. I'm watching them in order and have just completed "fallen idol" end of season 4.

My favourite characters are either Mainwaring or Godfrey.

I think Arthur Lowe's performance as Mainwaring is the most believable character and I think he really was a very fine comedy actor . I truly believe Mainwaring existed, just like I truly believe that Norman Stanley Fletcher existed. It's especially fun when he plays him out of character i.e as his brother or when Mainwaring has had a few too many drinks. For all Maiwarings pomposity he has the courage of a lion.

I do love Arnold Ridleys performance, especially the very effete lines he sometimes has, for example when he explains why he is wearing a bee keepers hood for camouflage. the episode when he reveals he is a conscientious objector is one of my favourites. I think it's a bit of a shame that they resorted too often to his bladder problems as a running joke.

Mrs Grey

My favourite is Wilson. When I was a kid I used to think Jonesy was hilarious but now I appreciate the more subltle humor of the Sgt Wilson character. Jonesy is a bit OTT but I wouldn't say I find him irritating. I do somethimes cringe at some of the story lines involving Godfrey, I thought they made him a little pathetic at times. It goes without saying that Mainwarring is a terrific character. I truly like them all but if I have to choose just one, it's Wilson - just the way he winds up Mainwarring sometimes (often unintentionally, just by being who he is) that really cracks me up! Laughing

elfmaiden

Has to be Wilson! You just can't beat him, and John Le Mesurier as a brilliant actor and such a wonderful man! Although I have to admit that Walker and James Beck comes in at a very close second for me! Very Happy

Mr.Boyle

I cast my vote for Capt. Mainwaring - the character is the lynchpin for the rest of the cast.

I am glad you didn't ask for a second preference ... that really would have been a tough one.

(Paul)

SFord

My favourite has to be Captain Mainwaring, given that a lot of people say I am just like him; some even call me Mainwaring.

Mrs Shaw

Lance Corporal Jones is my favourite. I just love his bumbling "don`t panic" and his passion for his bayonet!

Who is your favourite Dads Army character?

Who is your favourite Dads Army character?

Wilson

Greetings