Big Guns
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| 019 - Big Guns | |
|---|---|
| Script | Jimmy Perry and David Croft |
| Director | David Croft |
| Producer | David Croft |
| Recorded | Sunday 6/7/69 |
| Original transmission | Thursday 23/10/69 7.30pm |
| Series | Three |
| Length | 30 minutes |
| Original Viewing Figures | 13.2 million |
| Preceded by | Room at the Bottom |
| Followed by | The Day the Balloon Went Up |
Big Guns is the seventh episode of the third series of the British comedy series Dad's Army that was originally transmitted on Thursday 23 October 1969.
Contents |
[edit] Synopsis
The platoon is given heavy artillery and, directly in the line of fire of their naval gun, the town's bandstand is at grave risk.
[edit] Plot
A Pickfords van arrives, much to the Verger's chagrin, carrying a huge gun. They are impressed by its size and are happy to learn that it's a Naval gun. Frazer was in the navy, and should know how to use it. However, he doesn't, and admits he was a cook, but was present at the Battle of Jutland. The Pickfords man leaves, giving Mainwaring an instruction manual.
The platoon are each assigned different positions. Godfrey will sit at the driving wheel, Pike and Walker will load the shells. Wilson will stand at the sights and pull the lanyard, Jones will be the breech worker and Frazer will be the trainer. However, they cannot open the catch to let the shells, so the Verger removes the safety catch for them! They have a quick practice, and everything goes well.
The next day, the platoon organise a TEWT (Tactical Exercise Without Troops) and make a miniature version of Walmington to test their new battle strategy. Mainwaring orders the destruction of the cricket score-board (much to Wilson's annoyance), the allotments (to Frazer's disapproval) and the bandstand within 48 hours. He tells Wilson he is meeting the Town Clerk to confirm it. However, Mr Rees, the Town Clerk, is less than pleased, and asks for a demonstration.
On the day of the demonstration, the gun is covered by a grass netting. This proves to be their downfall, as the entire platoon gets tangled in the net. Mr Rees is unimpressed and unconvinced, leaving Mainwaring looking like a complete fool underneath the netting.
[edit] Notes
[edit] Cast
| Cast | Characters |
| Arthur Lowe | Captain Mainwaring |
| John Le Mesurier | Sergeant Wilson |
| Clive Dunn | Lance Corporal Jones |
| John Laurie | Private Frazer |
| James Beck | Private Walker |
| Arnold Ridley | Private Godfrey |
| Ian Lavender | Private Pike |
| Edward Sinclair | Verger |
| Edward Evans | Mr Rees, the Town Clerk |
| Don Estelle | The Pickfords Man |
| Roy Denton | Mr Bennett |
