Janet Kathleen Davies (14 September 1927 – 22 September 1986) was an English actress best known for her recurring role as Mrs. Pike in the long-running sitcom Dad's Army.

Although mainly remembered for her role in Dad's Army, appearing in 30 episodes of the series, she also featured in many other television and film roles including Dixon of Dock Green, The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, All Creatures Great and Small, Last of the Summer Wine, Z-Cars, The Citadel, Pride and Prejudice, Open All Hours, Are You Being Served?, and in the films The Ghost Goes Gear (1966), and Interlude (1968).

She died on 22 September 1986, aged 59, from breast cancer which had metastasised to her lungs.Notice of death of Janet Davies, btconnect.com; accessed 13 December 2014.

Early life Davies was born 14 September 1927, in Wakefield, West Riding of Yorkshire.

When she was not acting, Davies exploited her typing and shorthand training by working with various theatrical agencies. She was married to the actor Ian Gardiner, who was best known for having played Reginald Molehusband in a Central Office of Information public information film in the 1960s.Article on BBC News Magazine; retrieved 8 October 2007.

Dad's Army Davies was a client of the theatrical agent, Ann Callender, and also worked as a secretary for Callender whenever she was short of work. Callender was the wife of TV producer David Croft, the director, co-writer and producer of Dad's Army. Croft said that Davies "hastened to suggest herself for the part. After all, being in the office where the script first saw the light of day, she knew the requirements well." Davies went to see Croft in order to read for the part. Croft recalled that "She seemed to be just the right age and type to play the role."David Croft interview, Dad's Army, The Home Front: The Complete Scripts Series 5–9 (Orion, 2002);

Davies played the doting mother of Private Frank Pike (Ian Lavender), Mrs Pike, in 30 episodes of the sitcom, with her storylines mainly involving her relationship with Sergeant Wilson (John Le Mesurier) and her "mollycoddling" of her son, much to the annoyance of Captain Mainwaring (Arthur Lowe).

For the film version of Dad's Army (1971), Liz Fraser was cast as Mrs Pike. This decision was made by the director, Norman Cohen, who wanted a less "homely" actress for the role.Complete A-Z of Dad's Army Webber, R(Ed) 2000, London, Orion The recasting was very controversial and one of the changes imposed by backers Columbia Pictures that added to the unhappiness of the cast. Co-writer of the television series, Jimmy Perry, has said "It was a mistake...not to cast Janet in the role because the viewing public has come to recognise her as Mrs. Pike. But that was a decision made by Columbia".Jimmy Perry interview, Dad's Army: A Celebration, (Virgin Publishing 1997), p. 168;

Illness and death Davies died on 22 September 1986 from breast cancer, which had metastasized to her lungs. Her Dad's Army co-star Bill Pertwee said that she "spent her last days in a hospice and died peacefully" adding that she was a "lovely woman".

Television + Janet Davies' television appearances Programme Date Channel Role Notes ATV Miss Tiddy Episode 6: The Curse of the Bellfoots Police Surgeon ABC Weekend Television Welsh Woman Episode 3: Lag on the Run The Citadel  – 30 November 1960 Associated-Rediffusion Television Neighbour TV mini-series- Series 1: Episodes 1 and 2 Emergency Ward 10 Anne French Series 1, Episode 420 The Desperate People Joyce Naylor Series 1: Episode 5 The Saint ITV Pearl Series 2: Episode 6: Marcia Gideon's Way ITV Nurse Series 1: Episode 16: Fall High, Fall Hard. (Uncredited) Dr Finlay's Casebook BBC One Nurse Series 5: Episode 9 The Gamblers Anne Series 1: Episode 11: Tycoon of the Year Champion House Miss Jennings Series 2: Episode 8 : Pilot Error Gazette Mrs. Goodison Series 1: Episode 5: It's All Happening! Dixon of Dock Green  – 15 January 1972 BBC Television Mrs. WaltersMrs. WhiteMrs. ThomasMay NelsonMrs. PerrymanMrs. Baker Six episodes Fish  - 29 January 1973 Mrs. Price TV mini-series, Four episodes The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes Perkins Series 2: Episode 3: Cell 13 Are You Being Served? BBC Television The Oversize Dress Series 1: Episode 5: Diamonds Are a Man's Best Friend Hey Brian! Series 1: Episode 6 Helen: A Woman of Today Solicitor's Secretary Series 1: Episode 2 Casanova '73 Man opposite's Wife Series 1: Episode 5 Vienna 1900 BBC Television Frau Garian TV mini-series, Series 1: Episode 6: The Spring Sonata Marked Personal  - 23 January 1974 Thames Television Gwyneth Morgan Two episodes: Series 1: Episodes 21 and 22 Childhood Gertie 'Possessions' Play for Today  - 23 January 1975 BBC Television NurseRose Two episodes: Song at Twilight and Breath Last of the Summer Wine  - 26 March 1975 BBC Television Miss Jones Two episodes: Series 2: Episodes 2 and 4 Sadie, It's Cold Outside Receptionist Series 1: Episode 3 Lucky Feller First Woman Series 1: Episode 4: Kath's Family Dad's Army  - 6 November 1977 BBC Television Mrs Pike Recurring Character- 30 episodes. All Creatures Great and Small  - 26 February 1978 BBC Television Mrs. Dalby Three episodes, Series 1: Episodes 6, 7 and 8. Angels  - 19 June 1978 Liz ThomasSaleswoman Two episodes, Series 3:Episode 5 and Season 4:Episode 1 Z-Cars  - 9 August 1978 BBC Television Mary RussellValerie JolliffeMrs. GarrettMrs. PagettMolly Six episodes. The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin BBC Television Ethel Merman Series 3: Episode 4: Communal Social Evenings Rosie Violet Series: Episode 4: Happy Birthday, Mr Chizzlehurst. Testament of Youth Sarah TV mini-series Season 1: Episode 2: Buxton 1914 Pride and Prejudice BBC Television Mrs. Hill TV mini-series, Season 1, Episode 5 Nice Work Neighbour Series 1: Episode 4: Kill the Fatted Hen Open All Hours BBC Television Mrs. Blake Series 3: Episode 5: The Man from Down Under Something in Disguise  - 4 August 1982 Mrs. Green Three episodes, Series 1 : Episodes 2,6 and 4 The Professionals London Weekend Television Roz Hatch Series 5: Episode 3: You'll Be Alright The Citadel  - 27 January 1983 BBC Television Mrs. Watkins TV mini-series, Part 1 and 2 Death of an Expert Witness Anglia Television Mrs. Winifred Swaffield TV mini-series, Season 1: Episode 3 Terry and June Customer (as Jan Davies) Series 8: Episode 4: New Doors for Old Don't Wait Up  - 27 January 1986 BBC Television Florrie Two Episodes, Series 1:Episode 3, and Season 3: Episode 7 That's My Boy  - 21 March 1986 Mrs. Lacey Two episodes, Series 4, Episode 5, and Series 5, Episode 5. Bread BBC Television D.H.S.S Claimant Season 1: Episode 1, (final television appearance)

Filmography + Janet Davies' Film Appearances Film Year Role Notes The Love Match Motorist The Ghost Goes Gear Cockney Wife Interlude Nanny Under Milk Wood What Next? Mother In this House of Brede Mrs. Scanlon TV movie The Hiding Place Mrs. Beukers Uncredited Love Story: Mr Right Waitress TV movie Terry on the Fence Usher

References

External links