Never Too Old | |
Series 9, Episode 6 | |
Air Date | 13th November 1977 |
Written by | Jimmy Perry and David Croft |
Director | David Croft |
Producer | David Croft |
Length | 35 minutes |
Original Audience Figures | Unknown |
Previous episode | Number Engaged |
Next episode | N/A |
List of episodes |
Never Too Old is the last ever and farewell episode of the ninth series and the last ever episode of Dad's Army. It was originally transmitted on Sunday 13th November 1977, which was the same day of the Remembrance Sunday 1977 Commemorations in the UK.
Synopsis[]
Mrs Fox has finally agreed to marry Corporal Jones—even if it is just to ensure a supply of meat. But even the wedding reception find the Home Guard called into action as they are put on full invasion alert...
Plot[]
Mrs Fox stops by the church hall is search of Corporal Jones, but she is met by Private Godfrey who tells her that the rest of the platoon has gone for a march and will not be back for some time. Mrs Fox then tells Godfrey that she was going to call Jones to "put him out of his misery."
When the Platoon arrive back, they notice that Jones is missing. Pike and Frazer then reveal that he failed to turn right on the march and just kept walking straight. Jones then arrives late in a very cheerful mood and asks Mainwaring for a heart-to-heart, man to man talk. He reveals to Mainwaring and Wilson that he has asked Mrs Fox to marry him, and wants Mainwaring's permission to do so. Mainwaring agrees, and Mrs Fox telephones and tells Jones that she will marry him.
At the wedding ceremony, Mainwaring has agreed to give Mrs Fox away (her father is dead, and she has no other male relatives) and Wilson has agreed to be best man. The reception follows, but is drastically cut short when the Colonel informs Mainwaring of an invasion alert. Jones and Pike are then sent to keep watch at the pier where Mrs Fox comes to meet them. While Jones and Mrs Fox are discussing their future, Mainwaring and the rest of the platoon arrive with a bottle of champagne to drink to Jones' good health. Hodges interrupts them and tells them that the invasion alert was a false alarm and the stand-down has been given, adding that it is just as well because Mainwaring and his platoon would be no good against real soldiers. After Hodges leaves, Mainwaring, Wilson, Jones, Fraser, Pike and Godfrey all agree that no one is getting past them and that there are hundreds of men just like them who are willing to fight for their freedom. Wilson suggests that they make a toast to the Home Guard. Mainwaring agrees, and in the end, the platoon raise their glasses (and mugs) and say together for the very last time after 9 years, 9 series and 80 episodes of Dad's Army "To Britain's Home Guard!"
Cast[]
Main cast[]
- Arthur Lowe as Captain Mainwaring
- John Le Mesurier as Sergeant Wilson
- Clive Dunn as Lance Corporal Jones
- John Laurie as Private Frazer
- Arnold Ridley as Private Godfrey
- Ian Lavender as Private Pike
Notes[]
- The wedding guests were played by the regular cast members' real-life wives and girlfriends—i.e. those who were Equity members.
- The platoon breaks 'the fourth wall' in the closing shot, delivering the closing line direct to camera as they make their toast to the Home Guard.
- Last regular appearances of Arthur Lowe as Captain George Mainwaring, John Le Mesurier as Sergeant Arthur Wilson, Clive Dunn as Lance Corporal Jack Jones, John Laurie as Private James Frazer, Arnold Ridley as Private Charles Godfrey and Ian Lavender as Private Frank Pike.
- Deaths: Arthur Lowe died on 15 April 1982 aged 66 (stroke), John Le Mesurier died on 15 November 1983 aged 71 (cirrhosis of the liver), Clive Dunn died on 6 November 2012 aged 92 (complications from hospital operation), John Laurie died on 23 June 1980 aged 83 (emphysema), Arnold Ridley died on 12 March 1984 aged 88 (fall) and Ian Lavender died on 2 February 2024 aged 77 (exactly 2 weeks short of his 78th birthday).
- There are no living Dad's Army actors as of 2 February 2024 following the death of Ian Lavender (Private Frank Pike) on 2 February 2024. James Beck (Private Joe Walker) became the first Dad's Army actor to die in real life on 6 August 1973, followed by John Laurie (Private James Frazer) on 23 June 1980, Arthur Lowe (Captain George Mainwaring) on 15 April 1982, John Le Mesurier (Sergeant Arthur Wilson) on 15 November 1983, Arnold Ridley (Private Charles Godfrey) on 12 March 1984 and Clive Dunn (Lance Corporal Jack Jones) on 6 November 2012.