A Brush with the Law

"A Brush with the Law" is the eleventh episode of the fifth series of the British comedy series Dad's Army that was originally transmitted on the December 15, 1972.

Synopsis/Plot

Mainwaring is charged with showing a light and is taken to court by a cheerful Warden. As if that wasn't enough, the magistrate is none other than his old arch-nemesis Captain Square. The platoon tries to help by testifying as witnesses to Mainwaring's innocence, but things go from bad to worse when Jones messes up his story under oath. As both Square and Hodges proceed to push Mainwaring towards what could be a sticky end, Walker steps in and puts some pressure on Square by reminding him of his own illegal activities involving some black market whiskey. But it's the Verger who finally saves the day, confessing it was he who showed the light after all.

The case is dismissed and Mainwaring is allowed to leave the court "without a stain on his character". He attributes his acquittal to "honesty, fair play and the integrity of British justice".

Notes

Mainwaring was prosecuted under the Emergency Powers Act (1940) which had been rushed onto the statute books by the government under a wave of popular pressure. Under its rules, Mainwaring could have been sentenced to several months in jail had he been found guilty as charged.

After Mainwaring is proved innocent Pike says "it's just like that film with John Garfield", a reference to the 1939 film They Made Me a Criminal.

Cast

References