Radio Series Three

Main Cast
Arthur Lowe - Captain George Mainwaring
John Le Mesurier  - Sergeant Arthur Wilson
Clive Dunn - Lance Corporal Jack Jones
John Laurie (JL) - Private James Frazer
Arnold Ridley (AR) - Private Charles Godfrey
Ian Lavender (IL) - Private Frank Pike
Larry Martyn (LM) - Private Joe Walker 

BBC Announcer - John Snagge

Click on the episode title to hear the spoken introduction


Episode 42: A Man of Action
Recorded: Monday 28th April 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 16th March 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 18th March 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
For the benefit of a reporter from the Eastbourne Gazette, Captain Mainwaring tries to portray himself as a dynamic, efficient leader in the true Churchill mould, only to come a shade unstuck when Private Pike gets up to his ears in trouble.
With: JL, AR, IL, LM, Bill Pertwee (Chief Warden Hodges), Julian Orchard (Mr Upton - the Town Clerk), Jonathan Cecil (Mr Norris) and Fraser Kerr (Captain Swan / the Inspector).
TV: A Man of Action, Series 7 (1974)

Episode 43: The Honourable Man
Recorded: Monday 28th April 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 23rd March 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 25th March 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
On the occasion of the goodwill visit by a distinguished Russian, the Town Council of Walmington-on-Sea decides to offer him the Freedom of the Town...
With: JL, AR, IL, LM, Bill Pertwee (the A.R.P. Warden), Julian Orchard (Mr Upton - the Town Clerk) and Fraser Kerr (the Visiting Russian).
TV: The Honourable Man, Series 6 (1973)

Episode 44: The Godiva Affair
Recorded: Monday 5th May 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 30th March 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 1st April 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
The choosing of a local lady to play the part of Lady Godiva in Walmingtons Carnival Procession in aid of the Spitfire Fund strikes a discordant note for Captain Mainwaring and his men, who were planning their own musical surprise.
With: JL, AR, IL, LM, Bill Pertwee (A.R.P. Warden), Frank Williams (the Vicar), Julian Orchard (Mr Upton) and Mollie Sugden (Mrs Fox).
TV: The Godiva Affair, Series 7 (1974)

Episode 45: Keep Young and Beautiful
Recorded: Monday 12th May 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 6th April 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 8th April 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
When the War Office notifies all Home Guard Units that in future only the younger and healthier members will be retained, while those older and less fit will be exchanged with A.R.P. personnel - Captain Mainwaring and the veteran members of his Platoon are driven to adopt drastic measures.
With:JL, AR, IL, LM and Michael Burlington (the Wig Maker).
TV: Keep Young and Beautiful, Series 5 (1972)

Episode 46: Absent Friends
Recorded: Tuesday 6th May 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 13th April 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 15th April 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
With mutiny on his hands from within the ranks of his Home Guard Platoon, Captain Mainwaring, battling to regain his authority, receives unexpected help - from an escaped convict.
With: JL, AR, IL, LM, Bill Pertwee (Chief Warden Hodges), Pearl Hackney (Mrs Pike), Michael Brennan (Tom / George Pearson) and Stuart Sherwin (the Policeman).
TV: Absent Friends, Series 4 (1970)

Episode 47: Round and Round Went the Great Big Wheel
Recorded: Wednesday 7th May 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 20th April 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 22nd April 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
When, during its testing at Walmington-on-Sea, a new secret weapon runs amok, Captain Mainwaring and his Home Guard Platoon turn the humiliation of spud-bashing into the glory of saving the town.
With: JL, AR, IL, LM, Bill Pertwee (the A.R.P. Warden), John Barron (Colonel Pierce) and Michael Knowles (Captain Stewart).
TV: Round and Round Went the Great Big Wheel, Series 5 (1972)

Episode 48: The Great White Hunter
Recorded: Friday 30th May 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 27th April 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 29th April 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
Private Walker converts an open parachute he's found into several pairs of ladies underwear and in the process, causes Captain Mainwaring and his men some embarrassment.
With: JL, AR, IL, LM, Pearl Hackney (Mrs Pike), Elizabeth Morgan (Housewife) and Fraser Kerr (the Policeman).
TV: Man Hunt, Series 3 (1969)

Episode 49: The Deadly Attachment
Recorded: Wednesday 30th April 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 4th May 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 6th May 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
Corporal Jones life is put in jeopardy when the crew of a German U Boat and their cunning Commander turn the tables on Captain Mainwaring and his men, who are supposed to be guarding them.
With: JL, AR, IL, LM, Frank Williams (the Vicar), Philip Madoc (Captain Muller) and Fraser Kerr (Colonel Winters).
TV: The Deadly Attachment, Series 6 (1973) 

Episode 50: Things That Go Bump in the Night
Recorded: Wednesday 7th May 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 11th May 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 13th May 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
A storm forces Captain Mainwaring and his men to take shelter for the night in a deserted country mansion, but when they begin to hear weird noises, everyone is convinced that the hounds of Hell are after them.
With: JL, AR, IL, LM and John Barron (Captain Cadbury).
TV: Things That Go Bump in the Night, Series 6 (1973)

Episode 51: My British Buddy
Recorded: Tuesday 6th May 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 18th May 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 20th May 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
Captain Mainwaring arranges a Welcome to England party for the first contingent of American troops to arrive in Walmington, but his hopes to cement Anglo-U.S. relations come somewhat unstuck when a brawl develops between the visitors and his Platoon.
With: JL, AR, IL, LM, Bill Pertwee (Chief Warden Hodges), Jack Watson (Colonel Schultz), Pearl Hackney (Mrs Pike), Mollie Sugden (Mrs Fox), Wendy Richard (Shirley) and Michael Middleton (the American Sergeant).
TV: My British Buddy, Series 6 (1973)

Episode 52: Big Guns
Recorded: Monday 5th May 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 25th May 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 27th May 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
Captain Mainwaring and his men set their sights on total dominance of Walmington-on-Sea.
With: JL, AR, IL, LM, Julian Orchard (Mr Upton - the Town Clerk) and Michael Middleton (the Pickfords Man).
TV: Big Guns, Series 3 (1969)

Episode 53: The Big Parade
Recorded: Friday 2nd may 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 1st June 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 3rd June 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
When Private Walker offers to provide the Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard Platoon with a suitable mascot to lead them on parade, Captain Mainwaring, to his dismay, discovers that the cheapest is not necessarily the best.
With: JL, AR, IL, LM, Bill Pertwee (Chief Warden Hodges), Edward Sinclair (the Verger) and Pearl Hackney (Mrs Pike).
TV: The Big Parade, Series 4 (1970)

Episode 54: Asleep in the Deep
Recorded: Friday 9th May 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 8th June 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 19th June 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
While attempting to rescue Privates Walker and Godfrey from the bombed Water Works, Captain Mainwaring and his men themselves become trapped - with the water rapidly rising about them.
With: JL, AR, IL, LM and Bill Pertwee (the A.R.P. Warden).
TV: Asleep in the Deep, Series 5 (1972)

Episode 55:  We Know Our Onions
Recorded: Thursday 8th May 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 15th June 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 17th June 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
With Captain Mainwaring and his men facing the humiliation of failure in the Home Guard Efficiency Tests and Private Pike on the verge of tears, it takes a shady deal by Joe Walker to save the day.
With: JL, AR, IL, LM, Bill Pertwee (the A.R.P. Warden), Alan Tilvern (Captain Ramsay) and Michael Middleton (Sgt Baxter).
TV: We Know Our Onions, Series 6 (1973)

Episode 56:  The Royal Train
Recorded: Tuesday 29th April 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 22nd June 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 24th June 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
With the main line at Walmington Station blocked and H.M. King George VI due any moment, Captain Mainwaring and his men take charge, only to find they are on a runaway train.
With: JL, AR, IL, Bill Pertwee (the A.R.P. Warden), Frank Williams (the Vicar), Stuart Sherwin (the Station Master), Fraser Kerr (the Train Driver) and Michael Middleton (the Driver's Mate).
TV: The Royal Train, Series 6 (1973)

Episode 57: A Question of Reference
Recorded: Monday 12th May 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 29th June 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 1st July 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
Having sent Captain Mainwaring and his Home Guard Platoon into the target area by mistake, it's up to Corporal Jones and Private Godfrey to save them being blown to pieces by the 25-pounders.
With: JL, AR, IL, LM, Peter Williams (the Colonel) and Michael Burlington (the Signaller).
TV: The Desperate Drive of Corporal Jones, Series 5 (1972)

Episode 58: High Finance
Recorded: Friday 27th June 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 6th July 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 8th July 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
When Mr Mainwaring refuses any longer to extend Jones's credit at the Bank, the rest of the Platoon try to find the £50 to save him from bankruptcy.
With: JL, AR, IL, LM, Bill Pertwee (Chief Warden Hodges), Pearl Hackney (Mrs Pike) and Frank Williams (the Vicar).
TV: High Finance, Series 8 (1975)

Episode 59: The Recruit
Recorded: Thursday 1st May 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 13th July 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 15th July 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
Sergeant Wilson takes over command of the Home Guard Platoon during Captain Mainwarings enforced absence and makes the most unusual addition to their strength
With: JL, AR, IL, LM, Bill Pertwee (Chief Warden Hodges), Frank Williams (the Vicar), Edward Sinclair (the Verger) and Elizabeth Morgan (the Nurse and the Small Boy).
TV: The Recruit, Series 6 (1973)

Episode 60: A Jumbo-Sized Problem
Recorded: Wednesday 18th June 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 20th July 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 22nd July 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
Travelling in Jones's van to a vitally important assignment, Captain Mainwaring and his men get bogged down, and it takes two pairs of feet and a trunk to get them out.
With: JL, AR, IL, LM and Bill Pertwee (Chief Warden Hodges).
TV: Everybody's Trucking, Series 7 (1974)

Episode 61: The Cricket Match
Recorded: Thursday 1st May 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 27th July 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 29th July 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
As a relief from their accustomed role as defenders of these island shores against the common foe - Adolf Hitler - Captain Mainwaring and his men propose to do battle with their local adversary, Chief Warden Hodges, on the playing field.
With: JL, AR, IL, LM, Bill Pertwee (Chief Warden Hodges), Frank Williams (the Vicar), Edward Sinclair (the Verger), and Anthony Smee (G.C. Egan).
TV: The Test, Series 4 (1970)

Episode 62: Time On My Hands
Recorded: Tuesday 29th April 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 3rd August 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 5th August 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
When a German pilot bales out over Walmington, his parachute gets entangled with the Town Hall clock and so does Captain Mainwarings Platoon when they attempt to rescue him.
With: JL, AR, IL, LM, Bill Pertwee (Chief Warden Hodges), Frank Williams (the Vicar), Erik Chitty (Mr Parsons) and Fraser Kerr (the German Pilot).
TV: Time On My Hands, Series 5 (1972)

Episode 63: Turkey Dinner
Recorded: Friday 2nd May 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 10th August 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 12th August 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
When Captain Mainwaring is due to be guest speaker at the local Rotary Club, he and his dress suit have to run the gauntlet of some sloppy work by the men of his own Platoon.
With: JL, AR, IL, LM, Bill Pertwee (Chief Warden Hodges), Frank Williams (the Vicar), Pearl Hackney (Mrs Pike) and Harold Bennett (Mr Blewitt).
TV: Turkey Dinner, Series 7 (1974)

Episode 64: The Captain's Car
Recorded: Friday 9th May 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 17th August 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 19th August 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
The running feud between the Wardens and the Home Guard of Walmington-on-Sea is sorely aggravated, when Captain Mainwaring is offered the use of a Rolls-Royce for the duration.
With: JL, AR, IL, LM, Bill Pertwee (Chief Warden Hodges), Betty Marsden (Lady Maltby) and Gerard Green (Colonel).
TV: The Captain's Car, Series 7 (1974)

Episode 65: The Two and a Half Feathers
Recorded: Thursday 8th May 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 24th August 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 26th August 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
The bemedalled military career of Lance-Corporal Jones comes under grave suspicion when an old comrade-in-arms dredges up their past service in the Sudan.
With: JL, AR, IL, LM, Bill Pertwee (Chief Warden Hodges), Michael Bates (Private Clarke) and Avril Angers (Edna).
TV: The Two and a Half Feathers, Series 4 (1970)

Episode 66: Is There Honey Still for Tea?
Recorded: Friday 11th July 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 31st August 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 2nd September 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
When plans for building a new airfield in the neighbourhood are announced, Captain Mainwaring and his men engage bureaucracy in a rearguard action to save Godfrey's cottage from demolition.
With: JL, AR, IL, Joan Cooper (Cissy Godfrey) and Fraser Kerr (Sir Charles Renfrew-McAllister / the Colonel).
TV: Is There Honey Still for Tea?, Series 8 (1975)

Episode 67: Ten Seconds from Now
Recorded: Wednesday 18th June 1975
First Broadcast: Tuesday 7th September 1976, 12.27-12.57pm
& Thursday 9th September 1976, 6.15-6.45pm
The climax to Captain Mainwaring's role as O.C. Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard comes when his Platoon is chosen to take part in a world-wide radio broadcast that culminates in a speech from H.M. King George VI.
With: JL, AR, IL, LM, Frank Thornton (the BBC Producer) and Roger Gartland (Bert - the BBC Engineer).
TV: Christmas Night with the Stars: Broadcast to the Empire, (1972), see Related Appearances section.

Radio Series Production Team

Adapted by Michael Knowles and Harold Snoad
Producer : John Dyas
Technical Team : Eric Young, John Whitehall, Ian Richardson

Recorded at The Playhouse Theatre, Northumberland Avenue, London and at Paris Studios, Lower Regent Street, London.

All episodes recorded in mono. Available as a CD box set BBC ISBN 563 496622