Round and Round Went the Great Big Wheel
| "Round and Round went the Great Big Wheel" |
| Dad's Army episode |
| Episode no. |
Series Five
Episode 052 |
| Directed by |
David Croft[1] |
| Story by |
Jimmy Perry and David Croft[1] |
| Produced by |
David Croft[1] |
| Original air date |
22/12/1972[1]
(recorded 1/12/1972[1]) |
| Running time |
30 minutes |
| Episode chronology |
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"Round and Round went the Great Big Wheel" is the twelfth episode of the fifth series of the British comedy series Dad's Army that was originally transmitted on the 22 December 1972.
Synopsis
Operation Catherine Wheel has been set up in order to test the War Office's latest weapon: a large, radio-controlled, high explosive-carrying wheel. The Walmington-on-Sea platoon is chosen for fatigues. When Pike and Walker sneak off to listen to the wireless, they cause interference for the wheel, which promptly rolls out of control.
Plot
The episode opens with a General briefing two others in the War Ministry building in 1941, the General briefs the others about a weapon called "Head Poof" and the test called "Operation Catherine Wheel", the smarmy Captain tells them he will get the Walmington-On-Sea brigade to do the dirty work.
Notes
- This episode references the many different, and often bizarre, weapons tested by the War Office at the time. In contrast to some of the schemes the 'big wheel' is actually rather practical. The weapon is based on a real device called the Panjandrum although this was never radio-controlled.
- Pike and Walker listen to Hi Gang! which was a popular radio show during wartime, involving a line-up which included Vic Oliver, Winston Churchill's son-in-law.
- The title of the episode is a covert reference to an extremely bawdy song which was popular in World War II.
Cast
References
- ^ a b c d e Croft, David; Perry, Jimmy; Webber, Richard (2000). The Complete A-Z of Dad’s Army. Orion. ISBN 0-75284-637-X.
External links