The Bullet is Not for Firing

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[edit] TV episode

016 - The Bullet is Not for Firing
Script Jimmy Perry and David Croft
Director David Croft
Producer David Croft
Recorded Sunday 15/6/69
Original transmission Thursday 2/10/69 7.30pm
Series Three
Length 30 minutes
Original Viewing Figures 11.8 million
Preceded by The Lion Has Phones
Followed by Something Nasty in the Vault

The Bullet is Not for Firing is the fourth episode of the third series of the British comedy series Dad's Army that was originally transmitted on Thursday 2 October 1969.

[edit] Synopsis

Mainwaring sets up a court of inquiry after the platoon fire at aircraft during an air raid.

[edit] Plot

As the 'all clear' air raid siren blares, Mainwaring and Wilson wake up from a snooze, but both are quick to deny it. As they go into the hall and begin to make the tea, Mainwaring remarks on a low-flying plane that passed over Walmington. The platoon arrive. Mainwaring asks them to hand in their ammunition, but Jones admits they haven't got any. They wasted it all shooting at the low-flying Nazi plane. Godfrey is the only one with a full magazine, because by the time he had got it out of his overcoat, the plane had flown away. As the platoon prepare to make a cup of tea, Mainwaring bursts their bubble by saying their rifles have to be pulled through and boiled out.

Mainwaring decides to organise a thorough search around the area to find the missing cartridges. As they leave to supervise the rifle maintenance, Jones is having a bit of trouble removing his pull-through, and several methods are tried, including tying it to the banister and pulling it out. However, it destroys the banister, much to the Verger's chagrin. When Mainwaring ties it to a thicker pillar, the string breaks and it becomes impossible to remove. Mrs Pike arrives to take Pike home, and solves Jones' rifle problem by pulling the string out from the other end.

Later, the empty cartridges are collected, but Mainwaring decides to hold a Court of Inquiry to find out what really happened. Wilson is sceptical, but Mainwaring reminds him that honesty is the best policy. The two officers overseeing the Inquiry, Captain Cutts and Captain Pringle, are keen to get it over and down with as soon as possible, as they have made alternative arrangements.

Just before they arrive, a box of ammunition arrives at the church hall, and Mainwaring quickly hands it out to the men, and Jones arrives in his old army uniform that he wore under Lord Kitchener. He lines the witnesses outside, and they prepare to begin the Court of Inquiry. However, they are twice interrupted by members of the choir as they arrive for the Vicar's practice. Through the course of the enquiry, it is revealed that Jones gave the order to fire.

Suddenly, thunder crashes, and the platoon rush in, not wanting to be soaked. Cutts and Pringle, who are becoming quite irritated, decide that the platoon should demonstrate what happened. Jones states that as soon as he spotted the plane, he gave the order to shoot. Mainwaring corrects him by saying "fire", but the platoon follow his command, and shoot the ceiling, bringing it down on top of them. Mainwaring suggests they meet same time, same place, next week.

[edit] Notes

[edit] Cast

Cast Characters
Arthur Lowe Captain Mainwaring
John Le Mesurier Sergeant Wilson
Clive Dunn Lance Corporal Jones
John Laurie Private Frazer
Graham Stark Private Walker
Arnold Ridley Private Godfrey
Ian Lavender Private Pike
Janet Davies Mrs Pike
Frank Williams The Vicar
Edward Sinclair The Verger
Harold Bennett Mr Blewitt
May Warden Mrs Dowding
Michael Knowles Captain Cutts
Tim Barrett Captain Pringle
Fred Tomlinson Choir Member
Kate Forge Choir Member
Eilidh McNab Choir Member
Andrew Daye Choir Member
Arthur Lewis Choir Member

[edit] Radio episode

016 - The Bullet is Not for Firing
Script Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles
Producer John Dyas
Recorded Thursday 26/7/73
Original transmission Monday 13/5/74, 6.15pm
Series One
Length 30 minutes
Original Viewing Figures 1.0 million
Preceded by The Lion Has Phones
Followed by Room at the Bottom

[edit] Synopsis

[edit] Plot

[edit] Notes

[edit] Cast

Private Walker is played by Graham Stark (as can be heard on the play-out castlist)

[edit] References

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