Major Gowen obvious hint that the bar should be open and his drink should be served. Early in the day, Basil tends to say ""Ah, morning Major"". John Cleese has said that the Major was based on his Latin teacher from school. Major Gowen Major Gowen, usually known as the Major, is a fictional character played by Ballard Berkeley in the BBC sitcom "Fawlty Towers". Major Gowen is an old, befuddled, slightly senile, retired artillery officer permanently residing in the hotel. He appears in all 12 episodes, along with the other permanent residents Miss Gatsby and Miss Tibbs. He enjoys talking about
Good Morning, Miss Dove and Judgment Day" and "Miss Dove and the Maternal Instinct". The film was directed by Henry Koster. A 60-minute TV adaptation, with Phyllis Kirk in the Jennifer Jones role, was seen in 1956 as part of the weekly anthology "The 20th Century-Fox Hour". Miss Dove (Jennifer Jones), commonly referred to as "the terrible Miss Dove," is a prim and proper geography teacher who governs her classroom with strict disciplinary rules, dependable habits and a common-sense approach to life's everyday challenges. To the residents and former pupils of Liberty Hill, she is regarded as the epitome of gentility and wisdom. On