This Is Your Life: Arnold Ridley

Arnold RIDLEY (1896-1984)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Arnold Ridley, actor, director and playwright, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews - with the help of cast members of the BBC sitcom Dad's Army - at London's Marylebone Station, where he had been led to believe he was taking part in a film to promote the sitcom's new stage tour.

Arnold, who was born in Bath, first began acting while studying at the University of Bristol but was forced to give up his acting career due to injuries he sustained while serving with the Somerset Light Infantry during the First World War. He took up writing and wrote several plays during the 1920s and 1930s, including The Ghost Train in 1923, which became a West End success.

Following service with the British Expeditionary Force in the Second World War, he returned to acting, joining Harrogate Rep and the White Rose players in 1945. He later appeared on radio in the long-running BBC drama series The Archers and on television in the ITV soap opera Crossroads before becoming a household name in 1968, when he was cast as Private Godfrey, the gentle platoon medic in the popular BBC sitcom Dad's Army.

"Oh dear, dear, dear... does my wife know? She didn't tell me!"

programme details...

Edition No: 432
Subject No: 429
Broadcast date: Wed 10 Mar 1976
Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
Recorded: Fri 5 Mar 1976
Venue: Euston Road Studios
Series: 16
Edition: 18
Code name: Albert

on the guest list...

Arthur Lowe
John Le Mesurier
Clive Dunn
Ian Lavender
Bill Pertwee
Frank Williams
Edward Sinclair
Althea - wife
Nicolas - son
Walter Sydenham
Jim Stevens
Kipper Hancock - in audience
Jack Sugden - in audience
members of Bath Rugby Club - in audience
Mollie Gerrard
Gerard Fairlie
Noele Gordon
James Mills
Dirk Bogarde
cast members of Crossroads
Jane Rossington

production team...

Researcher: Debbie Gaunt
Writers: Tom Brennand, Roy Bottomley
Director: Philip Casson
Producer: Jack Crawshaw

names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

related pages...

the sitcom stars

Screenshots of Arnold Ridley This Is Your Life

Arnold Ridley recalls his experience of This Is Your Life in Nicolas Ridley's book, Godfrey's Ghost, reproduced here with kind permission of the author...

I wasn't at my best that afternoon ten days after the run of the stage version of Dad's Army had completed its longish run at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

For one thing I was still annoyed at having lost a record of which I was very proud.

Until the penultimate week of the play, I hadn't missed a single performance or show – stage, radio or television – since October 1918 when I had been struck down with Spanish influenza at Birmingham.

Now, only a fortnight before the end of the Shaftesbury run, I was again suffering from 'flu and my doctor had said that it would be madness to go to the theatre in my state of health at my age.

I only missed four performances, but the record was gone. Now my afternoon nap was to be interrupted.

'Be at Marylebone station at three o'clock sharp! Report to the old dining room on Platform 1 where your dresser will be waiting for you with your costume.'

Apparently we were to make a short publicity film. A bit annoying to say the least of it.

On arriving at Platform 1, I found Arthur Lowe and members of the platoon with the usual dressers changing in the dining room which had been reserved for us.

I was told by one of the technicians, who seemed to be in command of the operation, that the actual filming was to take place on one of the centre platforms and that I wouldn't be required for the opening shots.

Apparently the script had it that the platoon was going off by train and were waiting for Godfrey who was late.

As I wasn't wanted immediately and only just recovering from my influenza bout, it would be better if I remained in the warm until actually wanted. So off everyone went leaving me alone.

About five minutes later one of the technicians appeared, said they were waiting for me and that he would conduct me to my starting point.

He picked up my kit bag and escorted me down Platform 1 and around to the gate of one of the centre platforms on which, some way down, I could see the platoon in a group with Captain Mainwaring looking in my direction and waving.

'Right,' said the technician, handing over my kit bag and off I stumbled along the platform, acting like mad the part of a worried latecomer.

A little short of breath I was approaching Captain Mainwaring and the rest of the platoon.

But before I reached Arthur Lowe there was an interruption. 'Arnold Ridley,' said Eamonn Andrews, handing me the red book, 'This Is Your Life.'

Series 16 subjects