The Honourable Man - Revision history

Kurt at 05:05, 23 February 2023

2023-02-23T05:05:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:05, 23 February 2023
Line 1:		Line 1:
	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=March 2022}}~~
	{{Infobox television episode		{{Infobox television episode
	\| series = [[Dad's Army]]		\| series = [[Dad's Army]]

Kurt: /* Notes */

2022-08-26T17:23:19Z

Notes

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:23, 26 August 2022
Line 56:		Line 56:
	#Walker lightly references the 1939 [[w:Nazi-Soviet Pact\|Nazi-Soviet Pact]], and subsequent [[w:Soviet Union\|Soviet]] invasion of [[w:Poland\|Poland]] after Mainwaring had mentioned in his speech that [[w:United Kingdom\|Britain]] and the [[w:Soviet Union\|Soviet Union]] were "allies" even through they were "poles apart".		#Walker lightly references the 1939 [[w:Nazi-Soviet Pact\|Nazi-Soviet Pact]], and subsequent [[w:Soviet Union\|Soviet]] invasion of [[w:Poland\|Poland]] after Mainwaring had mentioned in his speech that [[w:United Kingdom\|Britain]] and the [[w:Soviet Union\|Soviet Union]] were "allies" even through they were "poles apart".
	#Of all the episodes of ''Dad's Army'', this is probably the one in which the class conflict between the middle-class Mainwaring and the upper-class Wilson, which is used for comedy throughout the series, is the most explored. In many episodes Mainwaring complains of Wilson's almost relaxed attitude to his duties and his public school education and about how hard he has had to work in comparison, but the deference shown by the townspeople towards Wilson's newly official status allows Mainwaring's chip-on-the-shoulder and Wilson's reticence at being snooty or arriviste about his position to be comprehensively played out on screen.		#Of all the episodes of ''Dad's Army'', this is probably the one in which the class conflict between the middle-class Mainwaring and the upper-class Wilson, which is used for comedy throughout the series, is the most explored. In many episodes Mainwaring complains of Wilson's almost relaxed attitude to his duties and his public school education and about how hard he has had to work in comparison, but the deference shown by the townspeople towards Wilson's newly official status allows Mainwaring's chip-on-the-shoulder and Wilson's reticence at being snooty or arriviste about his position to be comprehensively played out on screen.
	#This would be the last complete episode of ''Dad's Army'' to feature James Beck as Walker. Beck would record two radio episodes of ''Dad's Army'' on Friday 13 July 1973; the following day he attended a school fete where he became ill and was taken home by his wife. He was later rushed to hospital where he died of acute [[pancreatitis]] three weeks later. His character was mentioned in the studio sequences of the following episode ("[[Things That Go Bump in the Night (Dad's Army)\|Things That Go Bump in the Night]]"), and was seen in the location footage which had been filmed in the spring of 1973.<ref>{{cite news\|last=Clark\|first=Neil\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10223138/James-Beck-the-Dads-Army-star-cut-off-in-his-prime.html\|title=James Beck: the Dad’s Army star cut off in his prime\|work=The Telegraph\|date=6 August 2013\|access-date=21 February 2019}}</ref> He was written out of the show in the last episode of this series, "[[The Recruit (Dad's Army)\|The Recruit]]".		#This would be the last complete episode of ''Dad's Army'' to feature James Beck as Walker. Beck would record two radio episodes of ''Dad's Army'' on Friday 13 July 1973; the following day he attended a school fete where he became ill and was taken home by his wife. He was later rushed to hospital where he died of acute [[w:pancreatitis\|pancreatitis]] three weeks later. His character was mentioned in the studio sequences of the following episode ("[[Things That Go Bump in the Night (Dad's Army)\|Things That Go Bump in the Night]]"), and was seen in the location footage which had been filmed in the spring of 1973.<ref>{{cite news\|last=Clark\|first=Neil\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10223138/James-Beck-the-Dads-Army-star-cut-off-in-his-prime.html\|title=James Beck: the Dad’s Army star cut off in his prime\|work=The Telegraph\|date=6 August 2013\|access-date=21 February 2019}}</ref> He was written out of the show in the last episode of this series, "[[The Recruit (Dad's Army)\|The Recruit]]".

	==References==		==References==

Kurt: /* Plot */

2022-08-26T15:54:08Z

Plot

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:54, 26 August 2022
Line 22:		Line 22:

	==Plot==		==Plot==
	In the church hall, the Town Clerk is opening a meeting. It is to decide on Walmington-on-Sea's welcome to a visiting Russian worker, who has been made [[Hero of the Soviet Union]] for building 5,723 tanks. The Town Clerk puts Mainwaring in charge of the committee after a pompous speech, but Warden Hodges objects, thus forcing a vote, which overwhelmingly supports Mainwaring, who therefore takes charge. During this both Sergeant Wilson and Lance-Corporal Jones arrive late. Private Frazer suggests that, after a great deal of thought, he would like to offer the Russian a voucher worth [[w:Pound sterling\|₤]]10 towards the cost of a funeral. Private Walker argues that that is no use, he would have to die to redeem it, whereupon Frazer comments "That's a risk I have to take". Private Godfrey again expresses his antipathy to "the reds" and so urges that the welcome should not be extravagant, and the vicar refuses to allow his choir to sing "[[w:The Red Flag\|The Red Flag]]". The committee decides to present a wooden key, representing the freedom of the town.		In the church hall, the Town Clerk is opening a meeting. It is to decide on Walmington-on-Sea's welcome to a visiting Russian worker, who has been made [[w:Hero of the Soviet Union\|Hero of the Soviet Union]] for building 5,723 tanks. The Town Clerk puts Mainwaring in charge of the committee after a pompous speech, but Warden Hodges objects, thus forcing a vote, which overwhelmingly supports Mainwaring, who therefore takes charge. During this both Sergeant Wilson and Lance-Corporal Jones arrive late. Private Frazer suggests that, after a great deal of thought, he would like to offer the Russian a voucher worth [[w:Pound sterling\|₤]]10 towards the cost of a funeral. Private Walker argues that that is no use, he would have to die to redeem it, whereupon Frazer comments "That's a risk I have to take". Private Godfrey again expresses his antipathy to "the reds" and so urges that the welcome should not be extravagant, and the vicar refuses to allow his choir to sing "[[w:The Red Flag\|The Red Flag]]". The committee decides to present a wooden key, representing the freedom of the town.

	In Mainwaring's office, he enquires of Private Pike over Wilson's absence, and is annoyed to hear he is still at lunch, at 2.20pm. Mainwaring finds a letter in his in-tray addressed to "The Honourable Arthur Wilson" and assumes it is a joke. On Wilson's arrival he surprises Mainwaring and amazes Pike by asserting it is genuine: Wilson's uncle, a [[w:peer\|peer]], has died, thus entitling him to be styled "The Honourable". On being asked where he had been at lunchtime, Mainwaring is furious to hear Wilson has been invited to join the golf club (even though Wilson doesn't play golf), as he has been "trying to get in for years". Wilson compounds Mainwaring's rage by announcing that they found him some [[smoked salmon]] for lunch, whereas Mainwaring had a "[[w:Thyrsites atun\|snoek]] [[w:fishcake\|fishcake]] at the [[w:British Restaurant\|British Restaurant]]". During this discussion Pike has telephoned his mother, who bursts into the office, and flings herself all over Wilson, although she does ask "It won't make any difference, will it?", to which Wilson assures her it won't. Pike, however, is too naive to understand the implication.		In Mainwaring's office, he enquires of Private Pike over Wilson's absence, and is annoyed to hear he is still at lunch, at 2.20pm. Mainwaring finds a letter in his in-tray addressed to "The Honourable Arthur Wilson" and assumes it is a joke. On Wilson's arrival he surprises Mainwaring and amazes Pike by asserting it is genuine: Wilson's uncle, a [[w:peer\|peer]], has died, thus entitling him to be styled "The Honourable". On being asked where he had been at lunchtime, Mainwaring is furious to hear Wilson has been invited to join the golf club (even though Wilson doesn't play golf), as he has been "trying to get in for years". Wilson compounds Mainwaring's rage by announcing that they found him some [[w:smoked salmon\|smoked salmon]] for lunch, whereas Mainwaring had a "[[w:Thyrsites atun\|snoek]] [[w:fishcake\|fishcake]] at the [[w:British Restaurant\|British Restaurant]]". During this discussion Pike has telephoned his mother, who bursts into the office, and flings herself all over Wilson, although she does ask "It won't make any difference, will it?", to which Wilson assures her it won't. Pike, however, is too naive to understand the implication.

	At the next parade, Jones recounts how the British officers in the [[w:Sudan\|Sudan]] who had the "Honourable" title always had a [[w:Stiff upper lip\|stiff upper lip]], even after their heads had been blown off. Mainwaring addresses the parade and insists that Wilson must do his motorcycle training on the platoon's motorbike. Then the platoon practise grounding arms and applauding, just as the Town Clerk arrives. In Mainwaring's office he suggests tentatively that "the Honourable Arthur Wilson" should present the key to the Russian instead of Mainwaring. Mainwaring refuses point blank. Back on parade, they are interrupted by the verger and the vicar, who invite Wilson to join the [[w:Parochial church council\|PCC]], and also ask if he would like a crest for his own private pew. Mainwaring and Wilson retreat to his office, where Mainwaring again refuses to step aside for Wilson when telephoned by Hodges. Mainwaring finally snaps and reveals his intense jealousy over Wilson's newfound title; Wilson however admits he resents his new social status, as the people of Walmington-on-Sea continually pester him. This only infuriates Mainwaring more, as he fancies that one should prize aristocratic titles, and admits if he had a title he would make himself a director of the bank. He reminds Wilson that, title or not, he is still Mainwaring's employee and that he had better learn his place.		At the next parade, Jones recounts how the British officers in the [[w:Sudan\|Sudan]] who had the "Honourable" title always had a [[w:Stiff upper lip\|stiff upper lip]], even after their heads had been blown off. Mainwaring addresses the parade and insists that Wilson must do his motorcycle training on the platoon's motorbike. Then the platoon practise grounding arms and applauding, just as the Town Clerk arrives. In Mainwaring's office he suggests tentatively that "the Honourable Arthur Wilson" should present the key to the Russian instead of Mainwaring. Mainwaring refuses point blank. Back on parade, they are interrupted by the verger and the vicar, who invite Wilson to join the [[w:Parochial church council\|PCC]], and also ask if he would like a crest for his own private pew. Mainwaring and Wilson retreat to his office, where Mainwaring again refuses to step aside for Wilson when telephoned by Hodges. Mainwaring finally snaps and reveals his intense jealousy over Wilson's newfound title; Wilson however admits he resents his new social status, as the people of Walmington-on-Sea continually pester him. This only infuriates Mainwaring more, as he fancies that one should prize aristocratic titles, and admits if he had a title he would make himself a director of the bank. He reminds Wilson that, title or not, he is still Mainwaring's employee and that he had better learn his place.

Kurt at 15:53, 26 August 2022

2022-08-26T15:53:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:53, 26 August 2022
Line 1:		Line 1:
	~~{{one source\|date=February 2019}}~~
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=March 2022}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=March 2022}}
	{{Infobox television episode		{{Infobox television episode
Line 20:		Line 19:

	==Synopsis==		==Synopsis==
	When Wilson lets it be known that his family has 'moved up one place' and that he is now entitled to style himself '[[The Honourable]],' he finds himself being courted by the [[golf club (institution)\|Golf Club]] and is being proposed as the man to welcome a visiting Russian [[Very Important Person\|VIP]], Mainwaring is furious.		When Wilson lets it be known that his family has 'moved up one place' and that he is now entitled to style himself '[[w:The Honourable\|The Honourable]],' he finds himself being courted by the [[w:golf club (institution)\|Golf Club]] and is being proposed as the man to welcome a visiting Russian [[w:Very Important Person\|VIP]], Mainwaring is furious.

	==Plot==		==Plot==
	In the church hall, the Town Clerk is opening a meeting. It is to decide on Walmington-on-Sea's welcome to a visiting Russian worker, who has been made [[Hero of the Soviet Union]] for building 5,723 tanks. The Town Clerk puts Mainwaring in charge of the committee after a pompous speech, but Warden Hodges objects, thus forcing a vote, which overwhelmingly supports Mainwaring, who therefore takes charge. During this both Sergeant Wilson and Lance-Corporal Jones arrive late. Private Frazer suggests that, after a great deal of thought, he would like to offer the Russian a voucher worth [[Pound sterling\|£]]10 towards the cost of a funeral. Private Walker argues that that is no use, he would have to die to redeem it, whereupon Frazer comments "That's a risk I have to take". Private Godfrey again expresses his antipathy to "the reds" and so urges that the welcome should not be extravagant, and the vicar refuses to allow his choir to sing "[[The Red Flag]]". The committee decides to present a wooden key, representing the freedom of the town.		In the church hall, the Town Clerk is opening a meeting. It is to decide on Walmington-on-Sea's welcome to a visiting Russian worker, who has been made [[Hero of the Soviet Union]] for building 5,723 tanks. The Town Clerk puts Mainwaring in charge of the committee after a pompous speech, but Warden Hodges objects, thus forcing a vote, which overwhelmingly supports Mainwaring, who therefore takes charge. During this both Sergeant Wilson and Lance-Corporal Jones arrive late. Private Frazer suggests that, after a great deal of thought, he would like to offer the Russian a voucher worth [[w:Pound sterling\|₤]]10 towards the cost of a funeral. Private Walker argues that that is no use, he would have to die to redeem it, whereupon Frazer comments "That's a risk I have to take". Private Godfrey again expresses his antipathy to "the reds" and so urges that the welcome should not be extravagant, and the vicar refuses to allow his choir to sing "[[w:The Red Flag\|The Red Flag]]". The committee decides to present a wooden key, representing the freedom of the town.

	In Mainwaring's office, he enquires of Private Pike over Wilson's absence, and is annoyed to hear he is still at lunch, at 2.20pm. Mainwaring finds a letter in his in-tray addressed to "The Honourable Arthur Wilson" and assumes it is a joke. On Wilson's arrival he surprises Mainwaring and amazes Pike by asserting it is genuine: Wilson's uncle, a [[peer]], has died, thus entitling him to be styled "The Honourable". On being asked where he had been at lunchtime, Mainwaring is furious to hear Wilson has been invited to join the golf club (even though Wilson doesn't play golf), as he has been "trying to get in for years". Wilson compounds Mainwaring's rage by announcing that they found him some [[smoked salmon]] for lunch, whereas Mainwaring had a "[[Thyrsites atun\|snoek]] [[fishcake]] at the [[British Restaurant]]". During this discussion Pike has telephoned his mother, who bursts into the office, and flings herself all over Wilson, although she does ask "It won't make any difference, will it?", to which Wilson assures her it won't. Pike, however, is too naive to understand the implication.		In Mainwaring's office, he enquires of Private Pike over Wilson's absence, and is annoyed to hear he is still at lunch, at 2.20pm. Mainwaring finds a letter in his in-tray addressed to "The Honourable Arthur Wilson" and assumes it is a joke. On Wilson's arrival he surprises Mainwaring and amazes Pike by asserting it is genuine: Wilson's uncle, a [[w:peer\|peer]], has died, thus entitling him to be styled "The Honourable". On being asked where he had been at lunchtime, Mainwaring is furious to hear Wilson has been invited to join the golf club (even though Wilson doesn't play golf), as he has been "trying to get in for years". Wilson compounds Mainwaring's rage by announcing that they found him some [[smoked salmon]] for lunch, whereas Mainwaring had a "[[w:Thyrsites atun\|snoek]] [[w:fishcake\|fishcake]] at the [[w:British Restaurant\|British Restaurant]]". During this discussion Pike has telephoned his mother, who bursts into the office, and flings herself all over Wilson, although she does ask "It won't make any difference, will it?", to which Wilson assures her it won't. Pike, however, is too naive to understand the implication.

	At the next parade, Jones recounts how the British officers in the [[Sudan]] who had the "Honourable" title always had a [[Stiff upper lip\|stiff upper lip]], even after their heads had been blown off. Mainwaring addresses the parade and insists that Wilson must do his motorcycle training on the platoon's motorbike. Then the platoon practise grounding arms and applauding, just as the Town Clerk arrives. In Mainwaring's office he suggests tentatively that "the Honourable Arthur Wilson" should present the key to the Russian instead of Mainwaring. Mainwaring refuses point blank. Back on parade, they are interrupted by the verger and the vicar, who invite Wilson to join the [[Parochial church council\|PCC]], and also ask if he would like a crest for his own private pew. Mainwaring and Wilson retreat to his office, where Mainwaring again refuses to step aside for Wilson when telephoned by Hodges. Mainwaring finally snaps and reveals his intense jealousy over Wilson's newfound title; Wilson however admits he resents his new social status, as the people of Walmington-on-Sea continually pester him. This only infuriates Mainwaring more, as he fancies that one should prize aristocratic titles, and admits if he had a title he would make himself a director of the bank. He reminds Wilson that, title or not, he is still Mainwaring's employee and that he had better learn his place.		At the next parade, Jones recounts how the British officers in the [[w:Sudan\|Sudan]] who had the "Honourable" title always had a [[w:Stiff upper lip\|stiff upper lip]], even after their heads had been blown off. Mainwaring addresses the parade and insists that Wilson must do his motorcycle training on the platoon's motorbike. Then the platoon practise grounding arms and applauding, just as the Town Clerk arrives. In Mainwaring's office he suggests tentatively that "the Honourable Arthur Wilson" should present the key to the Russian instead of Mainwaring. Mainwaring refuses point blank. Back on parade, they are interrupted by the verger and the vicar, who invite Wilson to join the [[w:Parochial church council\|PCC]], and also ask if he would like a crest for his own private pew. Mainwaring and Wilson retreat to his office, where Mainwaring again refuses to step aside for Wilson when telephoned by Hodges. Mainwaring finally snaps and reveals his intense jealousy over Wilson's newfound title; Wilson however admits he resents his new social status, as the people of Walmington-on-Sea continually pester him. This only infuriates Mainwaring more, as he fancies that one should prize aristocratic titles, and admits if he had a title he would make himself a director of the bank. He reminds Wilson that, title or not, he is still Mainwaring's employee and that he had better learn his place.

	Wilson is seen embarking on his motorcycle training dressed in khaki overalls. He wobbles unsteadily down the road, goes in and out of [[Ditch\|ditches]] and finally falls off in one; a car is seen coming to a halt to help him.		Wilson is seen embarking on his motorcycle training dressed in khaki overalls. He wobbles unsteadily down the road, goes in and out of [[w:Ditch\|ditches]] and finally falls off in one; a car is seen coming to a halt to help him.

	At the welcoming parade, a band, the Home Guard, the Wardens and the Nurses are lined up on the green. The visitor, Mr Vladislovski, arrives in his car, and makes his way to the [[podium]]. The Mayor makes a one sentence speech, then Mainwaring makes a much longer one, but Mr Vladislovski, through his interpreter, reacts angrily, accusing the VIPs greeting him of not being genuine workers, with soft clean uncalloused hands. He rushes to his car, and produces Wilson from inside, whom he insists is a genuine worker, with oily hands, toiling alone in the countryside. He presents Wilson with the key representing the freedom of Walmington, and departs.		At the welcoming parade, a band, the Home Guard, the Wardens and the Nurses are lined up on the green. The visitor, Mr Vladislovski, arrives in his car, and makes his way to the [[w:podium\|podium]]. The Mayor makes a one sentence speech, then Mainwaring makes a much longer one, but Mr Vladislovski, through his interpreter, reacts angrily, accusing the VIPs greeting him of not being genuine workers, with soft clean uncalloused hands. He rushes to his car, and produces Wilson from inside, whom he insists is a genuine worker, with oily hands, toiling alone in the countryside. He presents Wilson with the key representing the freedom of Walmington, and departs.

	==Cast==		==Cast==
Line 49:		Line 48:
	*Fred McNaughton as The Mayor		*Fred McNaughton as The Mayor
	*Gabor Vernon as Mr Vladislovski		*Gabor Vernon as Mr Vladislovski
	*[[Hana Maria Pravda]] as Interpreter		*[[w:Hana Maria Pravda\|Hana Maria Pravda]] as Interpreter
	*[[Robert Raglan]] as Colonel Pritchard		*[[w:Robert Raglan\|Robert Raglan]] as Colonel Pritchard
	{{div col end}}		{{div col end}}

	==Notes==		==Notes==
	#This episode concerns the uneasy [[Political alliance\|alliance]] formed between the [[capitalist]] [[United Kingdom]], its allies and the [[Communist]] [[Soviet Union]] from 1941. Many of Walmington's citizens are uneasy about honouring a 'red', and having [[The Red Flag]] sung. This was quite a common sentiment at the time, though as Mainwaring puts it "in time of war, one can't be too choosy about one's bedfellows".		#This episode concerns the uneasy [[w:Political alliance\|alliance]] formed between the [[w:capitalist\|capitalist]] [[w:United Kingdom\|United Kingdom]], its allies and the [[w:Communist\|Communist]] [[w:Soviet Union\|Soviet Union]] from 1941. Many of Walmington's citizens are uneasy about honouring a 'red', and having [[w:The Red Flag\|The Red Flag]] sung. This was quite a common sentiment at the time, though as Mainwaring puts it "in time of war, one can't be too choosy about one's bedfellows".
	#Walker lightly references the 1939 [[Nazi-Soviet Pact]], and subsequent [[Soviet Union\|Soviet]] invasion of [[Poland]] after Mainwaring had mentioned in his speech that [[United Kingdom\|Britain]] and the [[Soviet Union]] were "allies" even through they were "poles apart".		#Walker lightly references the 1939 [[w:Nazi-Soviet Pact\|Nazi-Soviet Pact]], and subsequent [[w:Soviet Union\|Soviet]] invasion of [[w:Poland\|Poland]] after Mainwaring had mentioned in his speech that [[w:United Kingdom\|Britain]] and the [[w:Soviet Union\|Soviet Union]] were "allies" even through they were "poles apart".
	#Of all the episodes of ''Dad's Army'', this is probably the one in which the class conflict between the middle-class Mainwaring and the upper-class Wilson, which is used for comedy throughout the series, is the most explored. In many episodes Mainwaring complains of Wilson's almost relaxed attitude to his duties and his public school education and about how hard he has had to work in comparison, but the deference shown by the townspeople towards Wilson's newly official status allows Mainwaring's chip-on-the-shoulder and Wilson's reticence at being snooty or arriviste about his position to be comprehensively played out on screen.		#Of all the episodes of ''Dad's Army'', this is probably the one in which the class conflict between the middle-class Mainwaring and the upper-class Wilson, which is used for comedy throughout the series, is the most explored. In many episodes Mainwaring complains of Wilson's almost relaxed attitude to his duties and his public school education and about how hard he has had to work in comparison, but the deference shown by the townspeople towards Wilson's newly official status allows Mainwaring's chip-on-the-shoulder and Wilson's reticence at being snooty or arriviste about his position to be comprehensively played out on screen.
	#This would be the last complete episode of ''Dad's Army'' to feature James Beck as Walker. Beck would record two radio episodes of ''Dad's Army'' on Friday 13 July 1973; the following day he attended a school fete where he became ill and was taken home by his wife. He was later rushed to hospital where he died of acute [[pancreatitis]] three weeks later. His character was mentioned in the studio sequences of the following episode ("[[Things That Go Bump in the Night (Dad's Army)\|Things That Go Bump in the Night]]"), and was seen in the location footage which had been filmed in the spring of 1973.<ref>{{cite news\|last=Clark\|first=Neil\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10223138/James-Beck-the-Dads-Army-star-cut-off-in-his-prime.html\|title=James Beck: the Dad’s Army star cut off in his prime\|work=The Telegraph\|date=6 August 2013\|access-date=21 February 2019}}</ref> He was written out of the show in the last episode of this series, "[[The Recruit (Dad's Army)\|The Recruit]]".		#This would be the last complete episode of ''Dad's Army'' to feature James Beck as Walker. Beck would record two radio episodes of ''Dad's Army'' on Friday 13 July 1973; the following day he attended a school fete where he became ill and was taken home by his wife. He was later rushed to hospital where he died of acute [[pancreatitis]] three weeks later. His character was mentioned in the studio sequences of the following episode ("[[Things That Go Bump in the Night (Dad's Army)\|Things That Go Bump in the Night]]"), and was seen in the location footage which had been filmed in the spring of 1973.<ref>{{cite news\|last=Clark\|first=Neil\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10223138/James-Beck-the-Dads-Army-star-cut-off-in-his-prime.html\|title=James Beck: the Dad’s Army star cut off in his prime\|work=The Telegraph\|date=6 August 2013\|access-date=21 February 2019}}</ref> He was written out of the show in the last episode of this series, "[[The Recruit (Dad's Army)\|The Recruit]]".

Kurt: 1 revision imported

2022-08-18T14:50:57Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 09:50, 18 August 2022
(No difference)

86.160.37.191: /* Plot */

2022-08-07T06:23:47Z

Plot

New page

{{one source|date=February 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox television episode
| series = [[Dad's Army]]
| image =
| caption =
| series_no = 6
| episode = 5
| director = [[David Croft (TV producer)|David Croft]]
| story = [[Jimmy Perry]] and David Croft
| producer = David Croft
| airdate = 28 November 1973
| length = 30 minutes
| guests =
| prev = [[We Know Our Onions]]
| next = [[Things That Go Bump in the Night (Dad's Army)|Things That Go Bump in the Night]]
}}

"'''The Honourable Man'''" is the fifth episode of the sixth series of the British comedy series ''[[Dad's Army]]''. It was originally transmitted on 28 November 1973.

==Synopsis==
When Wilson lets it be known that his family has 'moved up one place' and that he is now entitled to style himself '[[The Honourable]],' he finds himself being courted by the [[golf club (institution)|Golf Club]] and is being proposed as the man to welcome a visiting Russian [[Very Important Person|VIP]], Mainwaring is furious.

==Plot==
In the church hall, the Town Clerk is opening a meeting. It is to decide on Walmington-on-Sea's welcome to a visiting Russian worker, who has been made [[Hero of the Soviet Union]] for building 5,723 tanks. The Town Clerk puts Mainwaring in charge of the committee after a pompous speech, but Warden Hodges objects, thus forcing a vote, which overwhelmingly supports Mainwaring, who therefore takes charge. During this both Sergeant Wilson and Lance-Corporal Jones arrive late. Private Frazer suggests that, after a great deal of thought, he would like to offer the Russian a voucher worth [[Pound sterling|£]]10 towards the cost of a funeral. Private Walker argues that that is no use, he would have to die to redeem it, whereupon Frazer comments "That's a risk I have to take". Private Godfrey again expresses his antipathy to "the reds" and so urges that the welcome should not be extravagant, and the vicar refuses to allow his choir to sing "[[The Red Flag]]". The committee decides to present a wooden key, representing the freedom of the town.

In Mainwaring's office, he enquires of Private Pike over Wilson's absence, and is annoyed to hear he is still at lunch, at 2.20pm. Mainwaring finds a letter in his in-tray addressed to "The Honourable Arthur Wilson" and assumes it is a joke. On Wilson's arrival he surprises Mainwaring and amazes Pike by asserting it is genuine: Wilson's uncle, a [[peer]], has died, thus entitling him to be styled "The Honourable". On being asked where he had been at lunchtime, Mainwaring is furious to hear Wilson has been invited to join the golf club (even though Wilson doesn't play golf), as he has been "trying to get in for years". Wilson compounds Mainwaring's rage by announcing that they found him some [[smoked salmon]] for lunch, whereas Mainwaring had a "[[Thyrsites atun|snoek]] [[fishcake]] at the [[British Restaurant]]". During this discussion Pike has telephoned his mother, who bursts into the office, and flings herself all over Wilson, although she does ask "It won't make any difference, will it?", to which Wilson assures her it won't. Pike, however, is too naive to understand the implication.

At the next parade, Jones recounts how the British officers in the [[Sudan]] who had the "Honourable" title always had a [[Stiff upper lip|stiff upper lip]], even after their heads had been blown off. Mainwaring addresses the parade and insists that Wilson must do his motorcycle training on the platoon's motorbike. Then the platoon practise grounding arms and applauding, just as the Town Clerk arrives. In Mainwaring's office he suggests tentatively that "the Honourable Arthur Wilson" should present the key to the Russian instead of Mainwaring. Mainwaring refuses point blank. Back on parade, they are interrupted by the verger and the vicar, who invite Wilson to join the [[Parochial church council|PCC]], and also ask if he would like a crest for his own private pew. Mainwaring and Wilson retreat to his office, where Mainwaring again refuses to step aside for Wilson when telephoned by Hodges. Mainwaring finally snaps and reveals his intense jealousy over Wilson's newfound title; Wilson however admits he resents his new social status, as the people of Walmington-on-Sea continually pester him. This only infuriates Mainwaring more, as he fancies that one should prize aristocratic titles, and admits if he had a title he would make himself a director of the bank. He reminds Wilson that, title or not, he is still Mainwaring's employee and that he had better learn his place.

Wilson is seen embarking on his motorcycle training dressed in khaki overalls. He wobbles unsteadily down the road, goes in and out of [[Ditch|ditches]] and finally falls off in one; a car is seen coming to a halt to help him.

At the welcoming parade, a band, the Home Guard, the Wardens and the Nurses are lined up on the green. The visitor, Mr Vladislovski, arrives in his car, and makes his way to the [[podium]]. The Mayor makes a one sentence speech, then Mainwaring makes a much longer one, but Mr Vladislovski, through his interpreter, reacts angrily, accusing the VIPs greeting him of not being genuine workers, with soft clean uncalloused hands. He rushes to his car, and produces Wilson from inside, whom he insists is a genuine worker, with oily hands, toiling alone in the countryside. He presents Wilson with the key representing the freedom of Walmington, and departs.

==Cast==
{{div col}}
*[[Arthur Lowe]] as [[Captain Mainwaring]]
*[[John Le Mesurier]] as [[Sergeant Wilson]]
*[[Clive Dunn]] as [[Lance Corporal Jones]]
*[[John Laurie]] as [[Private Frazer]]
*[[James Beck]] as [[Private Walker]]
*[[Arnold Ridley]] as [[Private Godfrey]]
*[[Ian Lavender]] as [[Private Pike]]
*[[Bill Pertwee]] as [[Chief ARP Warden Hodges|ARP Warden Hodges]]
*[[Edward Sinclair]] as [[Maurice Yeatman|The Verger]]
*[[Frank Williams (actor)|Frank Williams]] as [[Reverend Timothy Farthing|The Vicar]]
*[[Eric Longworth]] as [[List of characters in Dad's Army#Recurring characters|Mr. Gordon]] (The Town Clerk)
*[[Pamela Cundell]] as [[List of characters in Dad's Army#Recurring characters|Mrs. Fox]]
*Fred McNaughton as The Mayor
*Gabor Vernon as Mr Vladislovski
*[[Hana Maria Pravda]] as Interpreter
*[[Robert Raglan]] as Colonel Pritchard
{{div col end}}

==Notes==
#This episode concerns the uneasy [[Political alliance|alliance]] formed between the [[capitalist]] [[United Kingdom]], its allies and the [[Communist]] [[Soviet Union]] from 1941. Many of Walmington's citizens are uneasy about honouring a 'red', and having [[The Red Flag]] sung. This was quite a common sentiment at the time, though as Mainwaring puts it "in time of war, one can't be too choosy about one's bedfellows".
#Walker lightly references the 1939 [[Nazi-Soviet Pact]], and subsequent [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] invasion of [[Poland]] after Mainwaring had mentioned in his speech that [[United Kingdom|Britain]] and the [[Soviet Union]] were "allies" even through they were "poles apart".
#Of all the episodes of ''Dad's Army'', this is probably the one in which the class conflict between the middle-class Mainwaring and the upper-class Wilson, which is used for comedy throughout the series, is the most explored. In many episodes Mainwaring complains of Wilson's almost relaxed attitude to his duties and his public school education and about how hard he has had to work in comparison, but the deference shown by the townspeople towards Wilson's newly official status allows Mainwaring's chip-on-the-shoulder and Wilson's reticence at being snooty or arriviste about his position to be comprehensively played out on screen.
#This would be the last complete episode of ''Dad's Army'' to feature James Beck as Walker. Beck would record two radio episodes of ''Dad's Army'' on Friday 13 July 1973; the following day he attended a school fete where he became ill and was taken home by his wife. He was later rushed to hospital where he died of acute [[pancreatitis]] three weeks later. His character was mentioned in the studio sequences of the following episode ("[[Things That Go Bump in the Night (Dad's Army)|Things That Go Bump in the Night]]"), and was seen in the location footage which had been filmed in the spring of 1973.<ref>{{cite news|last=Clark|first=Neil|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10223138/James-Beck-the-Dads-Army-star-cut-off-in-his-prime.html|title=James Beck: the Dad’s Army star cut off in his prime|work=The Telegraph|date=6 August 2013|access-date=21 February 2019}}</ref> He was written out of the show in the last episode of this series, "[[The Recruit (Dad's Army)|The Recruit]]".

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Dad's Army}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Honourable Man, The}}
[[Category:Dad's Army (series 6) episodes]]
[[Category:1973 British television episodes]]