Various Articles, Interviews and Bits 'n' Pieces about Dads Army

Interview with Bill Pertwee

Scott Russell: When Dads Army began did you have any idea the show would become one of Britains most popular comedies?

Bill Pertwee: No, not at all. It started very slowly, ( the same way as 'Only Fools and Horses'and 'The Royale Family' did) although the first series was criticised for making light of the Home Guard a second series was commisioned soon after. We all knew, however, that we were involved in something very special. Jimmy and David had a good ear for comic dialogue.

SR: Do you keep in touch with any of the other cast members (e.g. Ian Lavender, Frank Williams)

BP: Yes, I see Frank, Pamella Cundell, Daivid Croft, Jimmy Perry and Clive Dunn several times a year. Being involved with the Dad's Army Appreciation Society I tend to speak to them more now when I'm arranging things .I hope to see many more of the castat the Dad's Army Convention in May.

SR: What do you think makes Dads Army so popular, so long after it finished?

BP: Being set in the past helps, as it does not age. Also the fact that people can be nostagic about wartime and the many memories it conjours up. The fact that it is popular with the young stems from the visual hunour and it is one of the few comedies shown that parents can leave their children, whatever age, to watch alone without worrying about the content.

SR: Did you find it funny making Dads Army?

BP: It was jolly hard work, but enjoyable. We had such good times on location and 'Crofts Weather' never let us down. We almost treated the location filming as a holiday. When we came to record the programmes I used to do the warm-up and introduce the cast.� Getting laughs from the audience wsn't difficult, in fact, sometimes they laughed too long which caused the programme to over run!

SR: I live in Australia, and I was wondering if you realised how popular it was (and still is) out here, particularly when it was first screened way back in the 60's and 70's? (It was last shown here in Australia in 1998 on 'ABC' in the 6:30pm timeslot)

BP: The New Zealand branch of the DAAS, run by Dave Homewood, is doing very well, and they have many enthusiastic members over there. One day I hope to visit again, but it is a very long way!

SR: And finally, do you ever watch/listen to Dads Army (On TV or Radio), and if so do you find it funny?

I caught one not so long ago, it was 'The Day the Balloon Went Up' and I enjoyed it alot, watching Frank, Teddy Sinclair and the others making fools of themselves, it is hard to believe I was part of it all.

Thank You to Bill Pertwee and the DAAS for
helping to arrange this interview.

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The text at this site is copyright Scott Russell 1999-2001.
All pictures are copyright to their respective photographers
Dads Army and it;s associated characters and names
are copyright to the BBC.