ARP Warden Bert Hodges
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| Dad's Army character | |
 |
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| ARP Warden Bert Hodges | |
| Affiliated with | ARP Wardens |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Greengrocer |
| First appearance | The Man and the Hour |
| Last appearance | Never Too Old |
| Portrayed by | Bill Pertwee |
Chief ARP Warden Bert Hodges, nearly always referred to as "Hodges", is a fictional greengrocer and Chief Air Raid Warden portrayed by Bill Pertwee in the BBC television sitcom Dad's Army.
[edit] Personality
Hodges is Captain Mainwaring's main rival in Walmington-on-Sea. A lowly greengrocer by trade, following the outbreak of war he has suddenly been given considerable power as chief air raid warden, signified by his white helmet, and this power has gone to his head. He can be just as pompous and officious as his chief rival, Mainwaring. Hodges is by nature an uncouth man, who delights in antagonising the Home Guard platoon, in particular Mainwaring, who he always calls "Napoleon". Mainwaring responds by often referring to him as a "tradesman". This rivalry increased after he was forced to share the church hall with Mainwaring after his headquarters was bombed.
In the episode, "A Brush with the Law", Hodges and one of his wardens believe they have caught Mainwaring with a light on in his office one night (a serious violation of the blackout regulations, and thus a criminal offence). Hodges greets the discovery with the joyful words "I've got him" repeated over and over again in a near hysterical manner, indicating the level of resentment he feels towards the bank manager. Hodges tells Mainwaring he hopes "they give you a month". However, his attempts to have Mainwaring successfully prosecuted are thwarted at the last minute by the cunning Private Walker.
In "All is Safely Gathered In", Hodges temporary agrees a truce with Mainwaring after a near-death expeirence with a bomb. He orders his ARP wardens to help the Home Guard gather in the harvest. Hodges is suddenly desperate to have Mainwaring's favour, and continually insists what a 'good man' the Captain is, much to the amusement of the platoon. However after they both become drunk on potato wine, the old rivalry returns with Hodges branding Mainwaring "a drunken old snob", returning their relatonship to its usual state.
Hodges views the Home Guard as ineffective old men, and thus saw everything important as an "ARP matter" and tries to take charge - however, as he also displays something of a cowardly streak, should the matter prove in anyway dangerous or threatening to his life and limb, he is quick to transfer command back to Mainwaring and preferably withdraw to a safer point. In many episodes, Hodges, and his co-conspirator, the Verger, were involved in trying to sabotage the platoon's efforts. These include "Menace from the Deep", "We Know Our Onions", "Don't Forget the Diver" and "Gorilla Warfare". His feelings towards both Mainwaring and his wartime responsibilities were summed up in the episode "Time On My Hands":
- "I hope you stay up there to let me enjoy this war in peace. Because I do enjoy this war. I've never enjoyed anything as much in all my life... And you! You always spoil it." - Hodges (shouting to Mainwaring, who is stuck up the town hall clocktower).
Hodges is also greatly disliked by the rest of the platoon, who usually whistle the theme to Laurel and Hardy whenever he appears. A number of them have a personal reason for their contempt, for example Wilson, because of his advances on Mrs Pike and Godfrey because of his attitude towards the elderly. In "Time On My Hands", after Hodges tells Mr Blewitt to shut up, the usually calm Godfrey tells Hodges that he is a "rude, common and nasty fellow".
In several episodes, Hodges refers to having "funny turns", which hints that his mental facilities are somewhat less than perfectly balanced. However, there are times when he is shown to possess hidden talents, for example being a fine cricketer (The Test and Menace from the Deep).
