Mrs Fox
Encyclopedia
Mrs Marcia Jones is a minor character, played by the actress Pamela Cundell
in Dad's Army
, a situation comedy
depicting life in wartime
England that ran between 1968 and 1977 on BBC
TV. In the first episode in which she appears she is seen queueing for meat at Jones the Butchers.
As with many of Jones's ladies, on producing her ration book, she receives an extra sausage, much to the chagrin of another shopper, the actress Olive Mercer (herself later to join the cast as the wife of Mr Yeatman, the verger
). In return, Jones receives an enormous wink that sets the tone for much of what was to follow as the role develops. Marcia (later on, Mildred) Fox is an ebullient woman, whom we assume loses her husband early on during the war. By The Big Parade, transmitted exactly a year later she is referred to as a widow. What followed was a long running saga in which Corporal Jones wooed Mrs Fox, often with hilarious consequences. Whenever he seems to be making progress a setback occurs: for example the arrival of American servicemen turns the heads of the Walmington
women . Victoria Wood
points out that part of Dad's Army's success came from its ability to juxtapose comedic situations such as the rivalry between various ladies of the town to play Lady Godiva
and the exploration of far deeper, more complex emotions between older people. As the series drew to an end co- creators David Croft and Jimmy Perry
debated whether to marry off Jones and his "Merry Widow". This finally came to pass during the last ever episode of the series, much to the delight of a massive television audience. Cundell now in her eighties, still makes appearances at fan forums and, occasionally, on local TV and radio programmes. Mollie Sugden
played the role in the radio series.
Pamela Cundell
Pamela I. Cundell is a British character actress. Her best known role was Mrs Fox in the long-running TV comedy Dad's Army....
in Dad's Army
Dad's Army
Dad's Army is a British sitcom about the Home Guard during the Second World War. It was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft and broadcast on BBC television between 1968 and 1977. The series ran for 9 series and 80 episodes in total, plus a radio series, a feature film and a stage show...
, a situation comedy
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
depicting life in wartime
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
England that ran between 1968 and 1977 on BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
TV. In the first episode in which she appears she is seen queueing for meat at Jones the Butchers.
The amorous, larger than life Mrs Fox (Pamela Cundell) gives her matronly attentions freely to the platoon's men and she eventually marries the elderly but eligible Corporal Jones.
(Lance Pettit, Museum of Broadcast Communications)
As with many of Jones's ladies, on producing her ration book, she receives an extra sausage, much to the chagrin of another shopper, the actress Olive Mercer (herself later to join the cast as the wife of Mr Yeatman, the verger
Verger
A verger is a person, usually a layman, who assists in the ordering of religious services, particularly in Anglican churches.-History:...
). In return, Jones receives an enormous wink that sets the tone for much of what was to follow as the role develops. Marcia (later on, Mildred) Fox is an ebullient woman, whom we assume loses her husband early on during the war. By The Big Parade, transmitted exactly a year later she is referred to as a widow. What followed was a long running saga in which Corporal Jones wooed Mrs Fox, often with hilarious consequences. Whenever he seems to be making progress a setback occurs: for example the arrival of American servicemen turns the heads of the Walmington
Walmington-on-Sea
Walmington-on-Sea is a fictional seaside resort where the BBC Television sitcom, BBC radio series and film Dad's Army was based.Located on the channel coast of England in the county of Kent, the national "front line" following the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk during...
women . Victoria Wood
Victoria Wood
Victoria Wood CBE is a British comedienne, actress, singer-songwriter, screenwriter and director. Wood has written and starred in sketches, plays, films and sitcoms, and her live stand-up comedy act is interspersed with her own compositions, which she accompanies on piano...
points out that part of Dad's Army's success came from its ability to juxtapose comedic situations such as the rivalry between various ladies of the town to play Lady Godiva
Lady Godiva
Godiva , often referred to as Lady Godiva , was an Anglo-Saxon noblewoman who, according to legend, rode naked through the streets of Coventry in order to gain a remission of the oppressive taxation imposed by her husband on his tenants...
and the exploration of far deeper, more complex emotions between older people. As the series drew to an end co- creators David Croft and Jimmy Perry
Jimmy Perry
Jimmy Perry OBE is an English writer, scriptwriter, producer, author and actor, most famous for devising and co-writing the BBC sitcoms Dad's Army with David Croft.-Education:...
debated whether to marry off Jones and his "Merry Widow". This finally came to pass during the last ever episode of the series, much to the delight of a massive television audience. Cundell now in her eighties, still makes appearances at fan forums and, occasionally, on local TV and radio programmes. Mollie Sugden
Mollie Sugden
Isobel Mary 'Mollie' Sugden was an English comedy actress best known for portraying the saleswoman Mrs. Slocombe in the British sitcom Are You Being Served? from 1972 to 1985. She later reprised this role in Grace & Favour, which ran from 1992 to 1993...
played the role in the radio series.