Happy heavenly 105th birthday to one of my most beloved television actors, Arthur Lowe! No-one comes close to Lowe in being so sublimely, deeply, groaningly put-upon, so perpetually elegantly just slightly ridiculous, all his gruff insecurities and pompous frailties on hilarious, delicate display. Arthur’s gifts included a talent for glorious, glorious timing, fine physical and character humour and sensitive, moving revelations: an unwearied, unshakeable quiet gem no matter the setting, be he Leonard Swindley, Father Duddleswell, Redvers Potter, or of course Captain Mainwaring.
I’ve probably seen it in its entirety a few times and I have maybe a million (twelve) favourite episodes of “Dad’s Army,” but if I had to pick one it would easily be the very third episode, ‘Command Decision.’ The preceding episodes are more impressive/amusing as a whole, and this one has an otherwise classic/standard Perry-Croft plot/script, but the ending – when off-screen, the men cheer and receive their long-awaited artillery with which to defend their little shores – has a sweetness and poignancy that for me might only be matched by the closing of the series finale. And it’s captured most of all in the silent, very brief joy of the bumbling and serious but very patriotic and well-meaning Captain Mainwaring, attempting to comprehend answered hopes against hopes with a drawing back of the shoulders :’) Xo
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