# Janet Davies (actress)

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.

## 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.

## 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."
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. 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".

## 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 |
| Arthur's Treasured Volumes | 6 June 1960 | ATV | Miss Tiddy | Episode 6: The Curse of the Bellfoots |
| Police Surgeon | 24 September 1960 | ABC Weekend Television | Welsh Woman | Episode 3: Lag on the Run |
| The Citadel | 23 November 1960 – 30 November 1960 | Associated-Rediffusion Television | Neighbour | TV mini-series- Series 1: Episodes 1 and 2 |
| Emergency-Ward 10 | 24 February 1961 | | Anne French | Series 1, Episode 420 |
| The Desperate People | 24 March 1963 | | Joyce Naylor | Series 1: Episode 5 |
| The Saint | 24 October 1963 | ITV | Pearl | Series 2: Episode 6: Marcia |
| Gideon's Way | 16 January 1965 | ITV | Nurse | Series 1: Episode 16: Fall High, Fall Hard. (Uncredited) |
| Dr Finlay's Casebook | 26 February 1967 | BBC One | Nurse | Series 5: Episode 9 |
| The Gamblers | 23 November 1967 | | Anne | Series 1: Episode 11: Tycoon of the Year |
| Champion House | 30 May 1968 | | Miss Jennings | Series 2: Episode 8 : Pilot Error |
| Gazette | 30 August 1968 | | Mrs. Goodison | Series 1: Episode 5: It's All Happening! |
| Dixon of Dock Green | 14 March 1964 – 15 January 1972 | BBC Television | Mrs. Walters Mrs. White Mrs. Thomas May Nelson Mrs. Perryman Mrs. Baker | Six episodes |
| Fish | 8 January 1973 - 29 January 1973 | | Mrs. Price | TV mini-series, Four episodes |
| The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes | 12 February 1973 | | Perkins | Series 2: Episode 3: Cell 13 |
| Are You Being Served? | 18 April 1973 | BBC Television | The Oversize Dress | Series 1: Episode 5: Diamonds Are a Man's Best Friend |
| Hey Brian! | 19 June 1973 | | | Series 1: Episode 6 |
| Helen: A Woman of Today | 28 September 1973 | | Solicitor's Secretary | Series 1: Episode 2 |
| Casanova '73 | 15 October 1973 | | Man opposite's Wife | Series 1: Episode 5 |
| Vienna 1900 | 12 January 1974 | BBC Television | Frau Garian | TV mini-series, Series 1: Episode 6: The Spring Sonata |
| Marked Personal | 22 January 1974 - 23 January 1974 | Thames Television | Gwyneth Morgan | Two episodes: Series 1: Episodes 21 and 22 |
| Childhood | 21 April 1974 | | Gertie | 'Possessions' |
| Play for Today | 5 February 1973 - 23 January 1975 | BBC Television | Nurse Rose | Two episodes: Song at Twilight and Breath |
| Last of the Summer Wine | 12 March 1975 - 26 March 1975 | BBC Television | Miss Jones | Two episodes: Series 2: Episodes 2 and 4 |
| Sadie, It's Cold Outside | 5 May 1975 | | Receptionist | Series 1: Episode 3 |
| Lucky Feller | 24 September 1976 | | First Woman | Series 1: Episode 4: Kath's Family |
| Dad's Army | 31 July 1968 - 6 November 1977 | BBC Television | Mrs Pike | Recurring Character- 30 episodes. |
| All Creatures Great and Small | 12 February 1978 - 26 February 1978 | BBC Television | Mrs. Dalby | Three episodes, Series 1: Episodes 6, 7 and 8. |
| Angels | 4 October 1976 - 19 June 1978 | | Liz Thomas Saleswoman | Two episodes, Series 3:Episode 5 and Season 4:Episode 1 |
| Z-Cars | 19 June 1962 - 9 August 1978 | BBC Television | Mary Russell Valerie Jolliffe Mrs. Garrett Mrs. Pagett Molly | Six episodes. |
| The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin | 27 December 1978 | BBC Television | Ethel Merman | Series 3: Episode 4: Communal Social Evenings |
| Rosie | 28 June 1979 | | Violet | Series: Episode 4: Happy Birthday, Mr Chizzlehurst. |
| Testament of Youth | 11 November 1979 | | Sarah | TV mini-series Season 1: Episode 2: Buxton 1914 |
| Pride and Prejudice | 10 February 1980 | BBC Television | Mrs. Hill | TV mini-series, Season 1, Episode 5 |
| Nice Work | 5 November 1980 | | Neighbour | Series 1: Episode 4: Kill the Fatted Hen |
| Open All Hours | 18 April 1982 | BBC Television | Mrs. Blake | Series 3: Episode 5: The Man from Down Under |
| Something in Disguise | 7 July 1982 - 4 August 1982 | | Mrs. Green | Three episodes, Series 1 : Episodes 2,6 and 4 |
| The Professionals | 21 November 1982 | London Weekend Television | Roz Hatch | Series 5: Episode 3: You'll Be Alright |
| The Citadel | 20 January 1983 - 27 January 1983 | BBC Television | Mrs. Watkins | TV mini-series, Part 1 and 2 |
| Death of an Expert Witness | 22 April 1983 | Anglia Television | Mrs. Winifred Swaffield | TV mini-series, Season 1: Episode 3 |
| Terry and June | 28 September 1985 | | Customer (as Jan Davies) | Series 8: Episode 4: New Doors for Old |
| Don't Wait Up | 8 November 1983 - 27 January 1986 | BBC Television | Florrie | Two Episodes, Series 1:Episode 3, and Season 3: Episode 7 |
| That's My Boy | 15 February 1985 - 21 March 1986 | | Mrs. Lacey | Two episodes, Series 4, Episode 5, and Series 5, Episode 5. |
| Bread | 1 May 1986 | 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 | 1953 | Motorist | |
| The Ghost Goes Gear | 1966 | Cockney Wife | |
| Interlude | 1968 | Nanny | |
| Under Milk Wood | 1972 | | |
| What Next? | 1974 | Mother | |
| In this House of Brede | 1975 | Mrs. Scanlon | TV movie |
| The Hiding Place | 1975 | Mrs. Beukers | Uncredited |
| Love Story: Mr Right | 1983 | Waitress | TV movie |
| Terry on the Fence | 1986 | Usher | |