Dad's Army News

April 2002

New Book Releases For Late 2002

Yet more new books will be appearing with Dad's Army related subjects this year.

Graham Lord's much anticipated biography on Arthur Lowe, Arthur Lowe - A Life Away From Mainwaring (Orion), originally scheduled for last year will be released on 5th September.

Frank Williams biography written with Chris Gidney Vicar to Dad's Army, The Frank Williams Story will be published by Canterbury Press in October, a proof cover is illustrated but Chris informs me that this is already to change, more details as I get them.

Finally, Dad's Army - The Home Front (Complete scripts of series 5-8), the second volume of Jimmy Perry & David Croft's TV Scripts edited by Richard Webber will be published by Orion on 17th October.

Frank Williams on Gospel Cruise in 2003

Many of the country’s top Christian performers are preparing to embark on a unique pilgrimage.

Cannon & Ball, Wendy Craig, Jimmy Cricket, Pam Rhodes, Syd Little, Kathy Staff , Frank Williams and many others will soon be hosting the UK`s maiden voyage of The Gospel Cruise. Noel Tredinnick is the Cruise’s Director of Music.

Combining fun and faith, the entertainers will provide star-studded entertainment whilst at sea, but when at Port will join several hundred other modern day pilgrims visiting Thessaloniki, Phillipi, Ephesus and other New Testament areas of interest.

`I’m really excited about walking in Paul’s footsteps, ` explains Bobby Ball. `I’m told you can actually see the grooves in the streets where the chariots ran! It’s certainly going to bring so many Bible passages to life, and hopefully bring me even closer to God as a result. `

Syd Little, one half of comedy duo Little and Large said `We want everybody on board to quickly relax and enjoy all the top-class entertainment we have on offer. Most of us have been in the business for a long time, but we’ve never had the opportunity to work together like this before so we’re all really looking forward to having lots of fun.`

One of the highlights of the Cruise will be an open-air floodlit service in Ephesus hosted by Songs of Praise presenter, Pam Rhodes. An Anglican Bishop, a Baptist minister and Professor of New Testament studies will be on hand to make sure that the spiritual side of the trip will be most rewarding.

The Maiden voyage of The Gospel Cruise takes place from Thursday April 24th to Saturday 3rd May 2003 and is presented by Worldwide Christian Travel, in association with Royal Olympic Cruises and Chris Gidney from Christians in Entertainment. The Cruise statement is: Relaxation of the body; Stimulation of the mind; Refreshment for the spirit.

For further information and a brochure contact: Worldwide Christian Travel: 0117 973 1840

Frank Williams will be touring with Syd Little in A Night With The Stars in May 2002, click here for more details.

Frank Returns In TV's Original Army Sitcom!

Satellite TV Station Granada Plus are rerunning the classic 1950's TV Comedy The Army Game from Sunday April 7th 2002 at 9am.

Dad's Army fan's can look out for a young Frank Williams, (later to become everyone's favourite vicar - Rev. Timothy Farthing).

Frank played the regular role of Captain Pocket in several episodes from this TV Comedy Series based on the National Service. The series originally broadcast between 1957 and 1961and ran for 154 episodes. The series featured a host of stars including future Doctor Who - William Hartnell, Dick Emery, Bill Fraser (husband of Dad's Army's Pamela Cundell), Alfie Bass, Bernard Bresslaw, Charles Hawtrey and Harry Fowler .

A selection of episodes survive and will be broadcast on Granada Plus in coming weeks, visit their site to check out future broadcast schedules!