The Godiva Affair

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

Synopsis

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 the most people's attention.

Plot

The platoon are practising their morris dance in the church hall. Mainwaring notes that Corporal Jones is not his usual self. A few minutes later, Jones comes in and asks for a heart to heart with his Captain. He reveals that his paramour, the widowed, Mrs Fox has become involved with another man - with Mr Gordon, the town clerk, who Sergeant Wilson describes as a bald-headed old duffer. 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. Mainwaring is distinctly embarrassed by the whole affair, he is clearly made uncomfortable by the forward Mrs Fox, who he describes as a 'flashy woman'. He tries to speak to her on Jones' behalf, but when he 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, Jones 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.

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, Chief Warden and Town Clerk are holding trials for a Lady Godiva to ride at the head of the procession. While Mainwaring is outraged and appalled, Hodges tells him not to be so 'victorian'. Mrs Fox meanwhile has persuaded 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 Sergeant 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 lost Mrs Fox to Mr Gordon.

On the day of the procession, the platoon are reading themselves for the morris dance. At that moment a tearful Mrs Fox enters, and falls into the arms of Corporal Jones. Somebody has stolen the Lady Godiva costume from her at the town hall. Fraser disappointedly notes that they won't 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 it is revealed that it is instead Mrs Mainwaring who has taken the part, a distraught Mainwaring faints into the arms of Jones who worries he will never recover from the shock.

Cast

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