The Godiva Affair

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "The Godiva Affair" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

4th episode of the 7th series of Dad's Army

"The Godiva Affair"

Dad's Army episode
Episode no.| Series 7
Episode 4
Directed by| David Croft
Story by| Jimmy Perry and David Croft
Original air date| 6 December 1974 (1974-12-06)
Running time| 30 minutes
Episode chronology
| ← Previous
"Gorilla Warfare"  | Next →
"The Captain's Car"

|

List of episodes

"The Godiva Affair" is the fourth episode of the seventh series of the British comedy series Dad's Army. It was originally transmitted on Friday 6 December 1974.[1]

## Synopsis

[edit]

As the town is still £2,000 short of the sum it requires for the purchase of a Spitfire, the platoon decide to drum up support by performing a morris dance at the fund-raising carnival. It is the identity of the Lady Godiva figure, however, that ends up grabbing most people's attention.

## Plot

[edit]

The platoon are practising their morris dance in the church hall. Mainwaring notices that Corporal Jones is not his usual self. A few minutes later, Jones asks for a heart to heart with Mainwaring. He reveals that his paramour, the widowed Mrs Fox, has become involved with another man – Mr Gordon, the town clerk, who Sergeant Wilson describes as "a bald-headed old duffer", much to Mainwaring's annoyance. Jones implores his commander to do something about it.

Reluctantly, Mainwaring agrees to meet with Mrs Fox in the Marigold Tea Rooms – unfortunately, a large portion of the platoon is crowded into the cafe to watch, sensing a scandalous affair. Mainwaring is distinctly embarrassed by the whole thing; he is clearly made uncomfortable by the overly forward Mrs Fox, who he describes as a "flashy woman".

Mainwaring tries to speak to her on Jones' behalf, but when he subtly refers to a new bald-headed admirer, she assumes he means himself – and in the process mistakenly believes he is trying to proposition her. She offers to let Mainwaring have Tuesdays and Thursdays, whilst letting Jones have Mondays and Fridays. When a shocked Mainwaring points out he is talking about Mr Gordon, she says "well he can have Wednesdays". The whole meeting leads to speculation through the town that the two are involved, rumours which reach the ears of Mrs Mainwaring.

The same evening, Mainwaring is giving a lecture in the office, when they become curious about what is happening in the adjoining church hall. They enter to find the Vicar, Verger, Warden Hodges and Town Clerk are holding trials for a Lady Godiva to ride at the head of the coming Spitfire Fund procession. While Mainwaring is outraged and appalled, Hodges tells him not to be so 'Victorian'. Mrs Fox meanwhile persuades Mr Gordon to use his influence to allow her to play the part.

The choice of Mrs Fox causes quite some consternation amongst the womenfolk of the town. Mrs Pike for instance berates Wilson for allowing this to happen, noting she is "much slimmer" than Mrs Fox, while Mrs Mainwaring, clearly suspicious her husband is conducting some sort of affair with Mrs Fox, constantly rings him at the bank and church hall demanding to know why she has not been chosen to play the part. Jones meanwhile is distraught, convinced he has now lost Mrs Fox to Mr Gordon.

On the day of the procession, the platoon are readying themselves for their morris dance. At that moment a tearful Mrs Fox arrives, and falls into the arms of Jones. Somebody has stolen the Lady Godiva costume from her at the town hall. Fraser disappointedly notes that they will not get to see a Lady Godiva after all.

Just then, Pike announces that a Godiva is going down the high street. It is assumed that Mrs Pike has stolen the costume and Mainwaring chides Wilson "can't you keep that woman under control?". However, when he looks out the window and sees that it is instead Mrs Mainwaring who has taken the part, a shocked and distraught Mainwaring faints into Jones' arms.

## Cast

[edit]

* Arthur Lowe as Captain Mainwaring
* John Le Mesurier as Sergeant Wilson
* Clive Dunn as Lance Corporal Jones
* John Laurie as Private Frazer
* Arnold Ridley as Private Godfrey
* Ian Lavender as Private Pike
* Bill Pertwee as ARP Warden Hodges
* Frank Williams as The Vicar
* Edward Sinclair as The Verger
* Janet Davies as Mrs Pike
* Pamela Cundell as Mrs Fox
* Talfryn Thomas as Private Cheeseman
* Colin Bean as Private Sponge
* George Hancock as Private Hancock
* Peter Honri as Private Day
* Eric Longworth as Town Clerk
* Rosemary Faith as Waitress

## Notes

[edit]

1. This episode is based around the legend of Lady Godiva who rode through the streets of Medieval Coventry, by having someone ride through the streets of Walmington clad only in a body-suit.
2. The platoon's morris dancing and the Godiva procession are to raise money for the Spitfire Fund. A common trend at the time was for towns to raise enough cash to construct a Spitfire.
3. The whole platoon, despite never having seen Mrs. Mainwaring before (except Wilson), recognise her as Lady Godiva. This might imply that the platoon have seen Mrs. Mainwaring in public previously since Mum's Army. As throughout the series, she never appears in person.

## Radio version

[edit]

In the radio adaptation of this episode, first broadcast 30 March 1976, the platoon's Morris dance is replaced with the Cornish Floral Dance from the TV sketch of the same name.

Mrs Fox is played by Mollie Sugden. Mr Gordon is renamed Mr Upton and played by Julian Orchard. Private Walker is also featured, rather than Private Cheeseman, and is played by Larry Martyn.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Dad's Army Series 7, Episode 4 - The Godiva Affair". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 1 February 2024.

* v
* t
* e

Dad's Army

Characters|

* Captain Mainwaring
* Sergeant Wilson
* Lance Corporal Jones
* Private Frazer
* Private Godfrey
* Private Walker
* Private Pike
* Chief ARP Warden Hodges

Episodes|

* Episode list
* Missing episodes
* Radio episodes
* "Present Arms"

Adaptations & spinoffs|

* 1971 film
* 2016 film
* Stage show
* The Rear Guard
* It Sticks Out Half a Mile
* High & Dry

Merchandise|

* Audio releases
* Books and memorabilia

Other articles|

* Blitz and Pieces
* Dad's Army Appreciation Society
* Dad's Army Museum
* Jones's van
* Walmington-on-Sea
* Bressingham Steam and Gardens

Episodes

Series 1|

* "The Man and the Hour"
* "Museum Piece"
* "Command Decision"
* "The Enemy Within the Gates"
* "The Showing Up of Corporal Jones"
* "Shooting Pains"

Series 2|

* "Operation Kilt"
* "The Battle of Godfrey's Cottage"
* "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Walker"†‡
* "Sgt. Wilson's Little Secret"
* "A Stripe for Frazer"†‡
* "Under Fire"†‡

Series 3|

* "The Armoured Might of Lance Corporal Jones"
* "Battle School"
* "The Lion Has 'Phones"
* "The Bullet Is Not for Firing"
* "Something Nasty in the Vault"
* "Room at the Bottom"
* "Big Guns"
* "The Day the Balloon Went Up"
* "War Dance"
* "Menace from the Deep"
* "Branded"
* "Man Hunt"
* "No Spring for Frazer"
* "Sons of the Sea"

Series 4|

* "The Big Parade"
* "Don't Forget the Diver"
* "Boots, Boots, Boots"
* "Sgt – Save My Boy!"
* "Don't Fence Me In"
* "Absent Friends"
* "Put That Light Out!"
* "The Two and a Half Feathers"
* "Mum's Army"
* "The Test"
* "A. Wilson (Manager)?"
* "Uninvited Guests"
* "Fallen Idol"

Series 5|

* "Asleep in the Deep"
* "Keep Young and Beautiful"
* "A Soldier's Farewell"
* "Getting the Bird"
* "The Desperate Drive of Corporal Jones"
* "If the Cap Fits..."
* "The King Was in His Counting House"
* "All is Safely Gathered In"
* "When Did You Last See Your Money?"
* "Brain Versus Brawn"
* "A Brush with the Law"
* "Round and Round Went the Great Big Wheel"
* "Time on My Hands"

Series 6|

* "The Deadly Attachment"
* "My British Buddy"
* "The Royal Train"
* "We Know Our Onions"
* "The Honourable Man"
* "Things that Go Bump in the Night"
* "The Recruit"

Series 7|

* "Everybody's Trucking"
* "A Man of Action"
* "Gorilla Warfare"
* "The Godiva Affair"
* "The Captain's Car"
* "Turkey Dinner"

Series 8|

* "Ring Dem Bells"
* "When You've Got to Go"
* "Is There Honey Still for Tea?"
* "Come In, Your Time Is Up"
* "High Finance"
* "The Face on the Poster"

Series 9|

* "Wake Up Walmington"
* "The Making of Private Pike"
* "Knights of Madness"
* "The Miser's Hoard"
* "Number Engaged"
* "Never Too Old"

000!!Specials|

* "Santa on Patrol"†
* "Resisting the Aggressor Down the Ages"
* "Cornish Floral Dance"†
* "Battle of the Giants!"
* "Broadcast to the Empire"
* "My Brother and I"
* "The Love of Three Oranges"

† Missing episode has been reconstructed using animation. ‡ Missing episode has been recreated with new cast

* v
* t
* e

Lady Godiva

Family|

* Leofric, Earl of Mercia (husband)
* Ælfgar, Earl of Mercia (son)

Film|

* Lady Godiva (1911)
* Lady Godiva (1921)
* Lady Godiva of Coventry (1955)
* Lady Godiva (2008)

Variations|

* Lady Godiva (Collier painting)
* Isabeau (opera)
* "Godiva" (poem)
* The Seven Lady Godivas (book)
* Self Sacrifice (statue)

Songs|

* "Lady Godiva" (1966)
* "Lady Godiva's Operation" (1968)

Other|

* Lady Godiva in popular culture
* Godiva Procession
* Lady Godiva Rides Again
* Lady Godiva: Back in the Saddle
* The Ghost Talks
* The Godiva Affair

*[no.]: number
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template