Television inserts and sketches

Such was the popularity of the Dad's Army cast, they were frequently invited to guest star on other television shows, perhaps the most memorable were the Christmas Night with The Stars TV spectaculars that were broadcast between 1968 and 1972 in which they appeared in four mini episodes.

Two of these only survive now as audio recordings (the earliest - from 1968, was only recovered in 2008 - some 40 years after its original broadcast!).

	Christmas Night With The Stars : Untitled Sketch Broadcast: BBC1, 25/12/1968 Parading on Christmas morning has an interesting consequence when Captain Mainwaring is confronted by a platoon of Father Christmases.
Christmas Night With The Stars : Resisting the Aggressor Down the Ages Broadcast: BBC1, 25/12/1969 The platoon dress up as historical figures in a production to raise money.
	The Coward Review Broadcast: BBC1, 26/12/1969 Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier and Clive Dunn appear as Mainwaring, Wilson and Jones and perform the Noel Coward song “Could You Please Oblige Us with a Bren Gun?” in a short sketch.
Christmas Night With The Stars : The Cornish Floral Dance Broadcast: BBC1, 25/12/1970 The platoon rehearse 'The Cornish Floral Dance' alongside the wardens and ladies of Walmington-on-Sea.
	A Royal Television Gala Broadcast: BBC, 24/05/1970 The Dad’s Army cast appear in a sketch by Jimmy Perry and David Croft in which the platoon guard the gates of Buckingham Palace.
The Morecambe and Wise Show Broadcast: BBC1, 22/04/1971 Arthur Lowe is Eric and Ernie’s special guest in this programme. Here, he appears in a number of sketches including a play what Ernie wrote “Monty on the Bonty” where he portrays Captain Bligh. There are also brief appearances from John Le Mesurier, John Laurie, James Beck, Arnold Ridley and Ian Lavender.
	Blue Peter Broadcast: BBC1, 1972 Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier appear in character as Mainwaring and Wilson in a brief sketch written by Jimmy Perry as they examine a school painting of the Walmington on Sea Platoon.
The Harry Secombe Show Broadcast: BBC1, 02/12/1972 Arthur Lowe is Harry Secombe’s special guest in which he appears in a brief sketch and performs “My Little Girl, My Little Boy”.
	Christmas Night With The Stars : Broadcast to the Empire Broadcast: BBC1, 25/12/1972 The platoon are to take part in a world wide radio broadcast on Christmas morning, but as usual things do not go to plan.
Bruce Forsyth and the Generation Game Broadcast: BBC1, 26/01/1974 Arthur Lowe appears as Captain Mainwaring in a sketch entitled "The Spy Who Came In From The Colditz" and later mentions the forthcoming Dad’s Army radio series.
	Blue Peter Broadcast: BBC1, 1974 Arthur Lowe appears as Captain Mainwaring in an interview with John Noakes in which they discuss Lance Corporal Jones Butchers Van.
Barclays Bank Training Film 1974 Arthur Lowe and Ian Lavender appear as Mainwaring and Pike.
	Barclays Bank Commercials Broadcast: ITV, 1974 Arthur Lowe and Ian Lavender appear as Mainwaring and Pike.
Pelican Crossings - Pedestrians Broadcast: 1974 Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier, Clive Dunn, John Laurie, and Arnold Ridley all appear in character in this short Public Information Film about Pelican crossing signals.
	Pelican Crossings - Motorists Broadcast: 1974 Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier, Clive Dunn, John Laurie, and Arnold Ridley all appear in character in this second short Public Information Film about Pelican crossing signals. This film also features Bill Pertwee and Edward Sinclair.
The Black and White Minstrel Show Broadcast: BBC, June 1975 Arthur Lowe as Captain Mainwaring performs a medley of Wartime songs.
	The Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show Broadcast: BBC1, 25/12/1977 Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier and John Laurie appear briefly as Mainwaring, Wilson and Frazer in a sketch with Elton John.
Cadbury's Wispa Advert Broadcast: ITV, 1980-81 Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier appear as two military types not too dissimilar to Mainwaring and Wilson promoting Cadbury’s Wispa.
	Jim Davidson Special Broadcast: BBC1, 6 June 1984 Clive Dunn and Bill Pertwee appear in character.
The Generation Game Broadcast: 1994 Bill Pertwee appears as Hodges
	Noel’s House Party Broadcast: BBC1, 27 November 1993 Clive Dunn briefly appears as Jones.

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