Sunday 31 January 2010

Googie Withers!!!!

I'll name that film in.....erm, just a moment...

Hello and a very belated Happy New Year! Apologies for the distanct lack of blogs over the last few months. I've been very remiss in my posting -and there's been loads of news too! Hopefully I'll get through most of it over the coming weeks. First though, onto a fantastic piece that one our listeners has written; a certain Mr James White-Aldworth. Now many months ago, James listened to Tony and I talk about the many references to old films that Messrs Perry and Croft make throughout Dad's Army. Somehow, we managed to inspire Mr White-Aldworth to begin a task that he had been mulling around in his mind - to document every film mention throughout the entire run of Dad's Army! So here it is, with a introduction from James - a spreadsheet that chronicles every film reference made by Pike, Wilson and all the others! You can view or download the spreadsheet by clicking on the image below but first, here's an intro from James himself.

Welcome my name is James White-Aldworth and I have been a Dad’s Army fan for roughly 25 years. Having, as many of us were, been inducted into the world of Walmington on Sea by my Grandfather Godfrey ‘Dan’ Brown I became a fully fledged addict myself.

I have been listening to James’ Dad’s Army Podcast and was inspired by something he and his colleague Tony discussed a couple of years ago. Whilst watching an early episode of Dad’s Army the two wondered if the many references made to films by the cast were in fact real films that the characters really could have been watching at the time. Coincidently this was a thought that had passed through my mind. As a big film fan myself I too had often wondered whether the real population of Great Britain had watched these films escaping the dark nights of the war and pre-war years. Also these references are often my favourite moments in the episodes as two or three characters drift off into recollection and discussion of a film as Captain Mainwaring becomes more and more frustrated and finally snaps.

So I set myself to work watching every episode and of course the Movie noting down the films referred to and by whom. Then I began to investigate. I discovered that in only a couple of cases I couldn’t find a film of the same name in the correct period that conclusively was the film in question.

So behold my friends and I hope you too find similar interest in discovering a little more detail in the tapestry of Dad’s Army and perhaps even venture out and seek out these films for yourself.



Dad's Army Film References

Sunday 22 November 2009

An Evening with Frank Williams

The Vicar has left the Building....


The first event the Dad's Army podcast has co-ordinated with the Dad's Army Appreciation Society took place yesterday evening, in a church hall in Kentish Town. Frank Williams played host to over 70 attendees who braved the driving rain to hear Frank talk about his time in Dad's Army and his wider career.

Frank spent over an hour speaking to the attendees and relished regaling the rapt audience with stories from his time on Dad's Army. He also talked about growing up in the second world war and about his first job within the acting business.

The evening also saw the UK premier of a new documentary about Frank entitled 'Dad's Army and Beyond: The Frank Williams Story' which the audience gobbled up and then asked questions of Frank. Producer Oliver Crocker and Director Mervyn Cumming were also on hand to discuss their experiences of making the documentary. It is hoped that the programme will be made available through the Appreciation Society in the near future - more news on that as it happens.

Episode 41 of the podcast will be a longer than usual podcast and will feature Frank's interview in full. It will also include a five minute interview Frank gave to Radio London early yesterday morning to promote the event.

On a personal note, I was mortified (as was Frank, Oliver and pretty much everyone else there) at how bad the sound was for the first half an hour of the night - which included two screenings of Frank's work. It was almost impossible to make any of the words out at all - as Frazer would have said, it sounded as though the actors were 'mumblin', mumblin'!! At the time though, this was far from a laughing matter. Fortunately, this was a temporary hitch and we able to vastly improve the quality of the sound after the first very awkward half an hour. Many thanks to all the wonderful attendees for being so patient with us - lessons have been learned.

The technical difficulties aside, the food was great, the premier of Oliver's documentary was exceptionally well received and many people came up to me after the event and said how much they enjoyed the evening. You were all so very kind!!

Hope you enjoy the podcast of the evening once I've managed to edit it all together - should be online over on the main podcast page by mid-December.

Saturday 14 November 2009

You've had your chips!!

Frank Williams event just one week away


Pre-booking for the Vicar and Chips event has now closed - however, do not worry if you have not managed to make your booking, you can turn up on the night - but we will not be able to provide you with dinner! So your evening will be Vicar and no Chips. As such, the entry price to those of you arriving on the night will be £6.00, but remember to have eaten beforehand!

For full event details, see the below blog-entry.




Wednesday 21 October 2009

Come and meet his Reverence!

Vicar and Chips event nears

Frank Williams will be attending an evening wittily (ahem) entitled 'Vicar and Chips' on Saturday 21 November 2009 at a church hall in Kentish Town. The Dad's Army podcast and Dad's Army Appreciations Society are jointly organising the evening.

As the title suggests, the evening will centre on Frank Williams and will feature several clips from his television and film career including some of Franks most recent work for independent production companies.

The highlight of the evening will be the full, un-cut British premier of 'Dad's Army and Beyond: the Frank Williams Story'. Oliver Crocker (producer), Mervyn Cumming (director) and of course Frank will be present and will be interviewed - by me! Poor souls. The DVD will also be on sale to attendees who will of course, have the opportunity to get copies signed by Frank, Oliver and Mervyn.

The details are:

Venue:
Our Lady Help of Christians
4 Lady Margaret Road
Kentish Town
London
NW5 2XT

Time:
6.30pm to 10.00pm

Price:
£7.50 per ticket (includes fish and chip supper)

In order to book you can complete the booking form below and send it off as quickly as possible. Tickets are selling well but are limited - there are however a number still available.

Saturday 22 August 2009

Vicar n Chips!

Frank Williams event announced for November 2009


Frank Williams will be appearing at an event the podcast is jointly organising with the Dad's Army Appreciation Society on 21st November 2009. The centrepiece of the evening will be the premier of Dad's Army and Beyond: the Frank Williams Story. The producer of the show will also be present and hopefully the director too. I will be interviewing all three after the screening, and the audience will have a chance to ask questions too. Oh, and you get a fish n chip supper too! Listen to podcast 37 for more details.

The event will begin at 6.30pm and be held in a Church Hall - yes, the Vicar is returning to a church hall!

The address of the venue is:

Our Lady Help of Christians
4 Lady Margaret Road
Kentish Town
London
NW5 2XT

A map can be found by clicking here.

Dad's Army Appreciation Society members can book by filling in the booking form published in the most recent Society magazine (PTSS 61) or can visit the Society's members page, non-members can e-mail me at james@dadsarmypodcast.com to request a form - or until I an figure out how to upload a pdf document onto the blog! Tickets cost £7.50 each.

Tuesday 28 July 2009

Godfrey's Ghost

New Arnold Ridley book to published September 2009

A new book about Arnold Ridley is being published by Mogzilla Life on 1st September 2009. The book has been penned by Arnold’s son Nicolas, and is called “Godfrey’s Ghost: From Father to Son”. Nicolas has kindly sent the podcast the following information about the book.

Arnold had a fascinating life which stretched from the rule of Queen Victoria to the ascension of Margaret Thatcher to the office of Prime Minister. He fought in two world wars, wrote a best selling play that is still frequently performed today and is perhaps most famous for playing the eldest member of the Walmington-On-Sea Home Guard, Pte. Charles Godfrey.

You can request a signed copy of the book be sent to you pre-publication from
Mogzilla’s Godfrey's Ghost webpage – otherwise the book will be available in both hardback (£15.99) and paperback (£9.99).

Friday 10 July 2009

Pike's Broadcast to the Empire **updated 14 July 2009**

Ian Lavender to star on LBC Radio

Ian Lavender is guesting on Steve Allen's popular LBC radio chat show, 'In coversation with....' The interview is being recording this weekend. However, at the time of writing, I cannot find out for sure when it will be broadcast. LBCs scheduling has an 'In conversation with...' show going out this Sunday at both 7:00am and 9:00pm although it is not clear if this will be the Lavender interview. LBC goes out on 97.3 FM. If anyone knows or manages to find out when the show is due to go out, please let me know by sending me an e-mail james@dadsarmypodcast.com or by leaving a comment below. Thanks!

**UPDATED 14 JULY 2009**

Ian's interview was broadcast on London Broadcasting Radio (LBC) on Sunday 12 July 2009. Ian spent an hour talking to Steve Allen (pictured above) about his life and career. As one would expect, Dad's Army featured prominantly. At one point, Ian said that every role he has won since his days in Dad's Amy was due to his success as Frank Pike. Ian also talks about his part as Derek Harkinson in EastEnders and his past stage performances. In the final ten minutes, Ian talks candidly about his health and describes what happened when he suffered a heart attack whilst he was a member of the EastEnders cast. Moving stuff.

Ian is currently playing Monsignor Howard in the stage version of Sister Act at the London Palladium.

The interview is currently available by visiting the LBC listen again website and then clicking on 'In coversation with...'. You will need to sign up in order to download the interview and pay a nominal charge.