Jimmy Perry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jimmy Perry
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Perry in May 2011
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| Born | James Perry 20 September 1923 Barnes, Surrey, England |
| Died | 23 October 2016 (aged 93) London, England |
| Occupation | Scriptwriter, actor |
| Period | 1960–1993 |
| Genre | Television |
| Notable works |
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| Spouse |
Gillian Margaret Holland
(m. 1953, separated) |
| Partner | Mary Husband (1999–2016) |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Diane Holland (sister-in-law) |
James Perry, also known as Jimmy Perry, (born 20 September 1923 – died 23 October 2016) was a famous English scriptwriter and actor. He was best known for creating and co-writing many popular BBC comedy shows, called sitcoms. These included Dad's Army, It Ain't Half Hot Mum, Hi-de-Hi!, and You Rang, M'Lord?. He worked on all these shows with David Croft. Jimmy Perry also helped write the catchy theme song for Dad's Army, "Who Do You Think You Are Kidding, Mr. Hitler?". For this song, he won an Ivor Novello Award in 1971.
Contents
Early Life and War Service
Jimmy Perry was born in Barnes, England. His father, Arthur, was an antiques dealer. Jimmy went to two private schools, Colet Court and St Paul's School. He loved going to the cinema and theatre, and his school report even said, "We fear for his future!" He left school when he was just 14 years old.
When he was a teenager, Jimmy Perry's life helped inspire the character of Private Pike in Dad's Army. His own mother was very protective, much like Private Pike's mum. When he told his father he wanted to be a famous actor or comedian, his father famously replied, "you stupid boy!" This line later became a popular catchphrase in Dad's Army.
After school, Jimmy tried learning office skills and worked in his father's antique shop. He also worked in a factory making naval telescopes. When World War II started, his family moved to Watford. There, he joined the Home Guard in 1940 and got involved in local plays.
In 1943, he joined the Royal Artillery and was sent to India and Burma. He was part of the army's concert party, which put on shows for the soldiers. After the war, he trained to be an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). While studying, he also worked as a Redcoat at Butlin's Holiday Camps, entertaining guests.
From 1956 to 1965, Jimmy Perry managed the Watford Palace Theatre with his wife, Gilda. Many actors who later worked with him on his comedy shows, like Ruth Madoc (who played Gladys Pugh in Hi-de-Hi!), performed there.
Becoming a Comedy Writer
Dad's Army (1968–1977)
Jimmy Perry got the idea for Dad's Army after watching an old comedy film. He wanted to create a show about a bossy leader, an old man, and a young boy, just like in the film. He also used his own experiences in the Home Guard during the war.
He met David Croft, a TV producer, and showed him his idea for a sitcom called The Fighting Tigers. David Croft liked the idea and took it to the BBC. Since Jimmy Perry was new to writing, David Croft helped him write the scripts. The show was renamed Dad's Army, and it became a huge success.
Jimmy Perry originally wanted to play the character of Walker in the show. However, the producers convinced him to focus on writing. He based Private Pike on himself and Corporal Jones on an elderly man he knew in the Home Guard. Jimmy Perry also wrote the famous opening song, "Who Do You Think You Are Kidding, Mr. Hitler?", which won an award in 1971.
Some people at the BBC were worried that making fun of the Home Guard wouldn't be popular. Early audience tests even showed that most people didn't like it! But the first episode aired on 31 July 1968, and the show quickly became a massive hit. At its most popular, Dad's Army had 18 million viewers. It ran for nine years and led to two films, a stage show, and a radio version.
Jimmy Perry believed the show was so popular because it reminded British people of a time when they stood strong together during the war.
The Gnomes of Dulwich (1969)
After Dad's Army started, Jimmy Perry wrote another show called The Gnomes of Dulwich. It was about two gnomes who sat by a pond and talked about life. He originally thought of it as a short sketch, but his wife encouraged him to make it a full series.
The show only lasted for six episodes. Unfortunately, all these episodes are now missing from the BBC archives. Only a few pictures and sound clips remain.
Lollipop Loves Mr Mole (1971–1972)
Jimmy Perry also wrote Lollipop Loves Mr Mole, which was later shortened to Lollipop. This was his only sitcom about a family living at home, and he wrote it by himself.
It Ain't Half Hot Mum (1974–1981)
Jimmy Perry and David Croft worked together again on It Ain't Half Hot Mum. This show was inspired by Jimmy's experiences running a concert party for soldiers in India during the war.
The show was very popular, attracting up to 17 million viewers. It ran for 8 series and 56 episodes. The character of Bombardier Solomons is thought to be based on Jimmy Perry himself during his time entertaining troops in World War II.
The Rear Guard (1976)
In 1976, an American TV network tried to make a version of Dad's Army called The Rear Guard. However, Jimmy Perry and David Croft were not involved in writing it. The pilot episode was not well-liked by American audiences, and so it never became a full series.
Hi-de-Hi! (1980–1988)
For Hi-de-Hi!, Jimmy Perry and David Croft teamed up again. This show was inspired by Jimmy's time working as a Redcoat at Butlin's Holiday Camps.
Jimmy Perry said that Hi-de-Hi! was an instant hit from the moment it first aired. Even though the pilot episode had only 4.4 million viewers, the series quickly grew in popularity, reaching over 15 million viewers. The character of Spike is thought to be based on Jimmy Perry when he was a Redcoat.
You Rang M'Lord? (1988–1993)
You Rang, M'Lord? was Jimmy Perry's last show with David Croft. This series was inspired by stories Jimmy had heard from his grandfather, who worked as a butler. He learned a lot about life "below stairs" (how servants lived and worked).
The show wasn't as famous as Dad's Army or Hi-de-Hi! at first, but it regularly attracted 10 million viewers. It also became very popular in Hungary. Many actors from Jimmy Perry's other shows appeared in You Rang M'Lord?. Both Jimmy Perry and David Croft later said this was their favourite work.
Other Projects
Jimmy Perry also worked on other shows. In 1994, he created a radio sitcom called London Calling, about the early days of the BBC in the 1920s. He was very proud of this show.
He also created two other TV series without David Croft: Room Service (1979) and High Street Blues (1989). Jimmy Perry himself admitted that these shows were not very successful.
He also wrote a stage musical called That's Showbiz, 'The Lights, The Music & The Knife In The Back' in the late 1990s. This show was about the world of comedy and variety theatre, a topic he loved.
Jimmy Perry's career as a scriptwriter mostly ended with You Rang M'Lord?. He felt that his gentle style of writing might not be as popular anymore. However, he admired some newer comedy shows. His autobiography, called A Stupid Boy, was published in 2002.
Personal Life and Legacy
Jimmy Perry married actress Gillian Margaret Holland in 1953. They had one son, who sadly passed away at a young age in 1977.
In 1978, Jimmy Perry was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for his contributions. This is a special honour given by the British monarch.
Jimmy Perry passed away on 23 October 2016, at the age of 93, after a short illness. Many people, including politicians and actors, paid tribute to him, often using famous lines from his shows like "Don't panic!" and "Stupid boy!".
Michael Palin, a famous actor and comedian, said that Jimmy Perry "created one of the most endearing of all comedy classics." The BBC often repeats episodes of Dad's Army and Hi-de-Hi! in his honour, and Dad's Army continues to be very popular with millions of viewers.
Portrayals
In 2015, a BBC TV film called We're Doomed: The Dad's Army Story was made. It told the story of how Dad's Army was created. In the film, Jimmy Perry was played by actor Paul Ritter.
Acting Credits
- 1955: The Water Gipsies: Mr. Mountain/Romeo
- 1960: Les Cinq Dernières Minutes: Un agent - 1 episode
- 1966: Hugh and I: 1 episode
- 1967: Beggar My Neighbour: Jack Butt - 1 episode
- 1969: Dad's Army: Charlie Cheeseman - 1 episode
- 1969: The Gnomes of Dulwich: Gnome - 1 episode
- 1980: It Ain't Half Hot Mum: Major Forestt - 1 episode
Writing Credits
- 1968-77: Dad's Army (80 episodes)
- 1969: The Gnomes of Dulwich (6 episodes)
- 1970: A Royal Television Gala Performance
- 1970: Wiltons' - The Handsomest Hall in Town
- 1971: Dad's Army (1971 film)
- 1972: Lollipop Loves Mr Mole (12 episodes)
- 1974: It Ain't Half Hot Mum (57 episodes)
- 1976: The Rear Guard
- 1978: The Old Boy Network (1 episode)
- 1979: Room Service (7 episodes)
- 1980-88: Hi-de-Hi! (58 episodes)
- 1982-89: Turns (14 episodes)
- 1988-93: You Rang, M'Lord? (26 episodes)
- 1989: High Street Blues (6 episodes)
- 1994: London Calling (4 episodes)
Books
- A Stupid Boy: The Autobiography of the Creator of Dad's Army (2002)
Images for kids
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Perry in May 2011
See also
In Spanish: Jimmy Perry para niños
