Never Too Old 

Having notched up 80 episodes, a radio series, stage show and a film, 'Dad's Army' had indeed come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1968 ( five years longer than the real war, as wags never tire of telling us ). In 1977, Jimmy Perry and David Croft decided by mutual consent to bring it to a close. Not only were they concerned at the general state of the health of the older cast members, but felt it should bow out while it was still at the top ( had it lasted another two years, it would have been on at the birth of alternative comedy, with 'Not The Nine O'Clock News'. The mind boggles ).

It returned for one final run - the ninth - at the end of 1977. Screened on Sunday nights directly after 'Poldark', it continued to delight and amuse fans.

The final extended episode 'Never Too Old' saw Corporal Jones finally proposing to his sweetheart Mrs.Fox. He asks Captain Mainwaring for permission first, of course. Much to his relief, she says yes. The wedding preparations get underway - Jonesy has asked Sgt.Wilson ( clad in his W.W.1 uniform ) to be his best man, and Mrs.Pike the maid of honour. A.R.P. Hodges is there for reasons we can only guess at ( "I'm a friend of the bride!", he says, with a lecherous look in his eye ). Captain Mainwaring makes a speech, the couple are toasted, and the cake cut. By the time the fake layers are removed, all that is left is a humble jam sponge. "There's a war on!", the new Mrs.Jones tells everyone.

But the Colonel issues an invasion alert, and poor Jonesy has to leave his new bride to resume duty, with Pike at his side. Mrs.Jones turns up, but Jonesy fails to recognise her in the dark.

The other platoon members appear and, after being roundly insulted by Hodges, drink a toast to the British Home Guard - champagne in tin mugs. Symbolically, they were also celebrating the end of the show itself. The real Home Guard were stood down in 1944, becoming an inactive reserve unit.

The sad death of Edward Sinclair exactly one month after this was recorded shows how right Perry and Croft were to end the show when they did. Pike, Hodges, and Croft later popped up in a short-lived Radio 2 sequel called 'It Sticks Out Half A Mile'.

Funniest moment - the Verger and Mr.Hodges chucking confetti in other's faces. When the Vicar attempts to intervene, he gets a face full of the stuff too.

Second funniest moment - Mrs.Jones telling her new husband about the nice new freezer she wants in their new country cottage. He asks what she wants it for. To put all the lovely joints of meat in, she replies. He says that will have to happen after the war. Her next words are "But we'll have one before then, won't we?". At this, Jones looks worried. He had earlier wondered aloud if she only wanted him for his meat.

So off into the pages of television history marched Captain Mainwaring and the Warmington-On-Sea platoon. In 2008, its popularity shows no signs of abating. Long may its repeats grace our screens.

In case you are concerned about the fate of our heroes, check out the opening of the very first episode 'The Man & The Hour'. It shows them ( Walker included ) enjoying a reunion dinner in the year 1968.

( I would like to thank I.M.D.B. user 'Cyril Blake' for providing additional information for this review. )