Aggie Glencannon Army Game Bootsie and Snudge The Larkins Our Man at St Marks Morecambe and Wise Comedy Playhouse
George and the Dragon Mr Digby Darling Whacko! Square World Rag Trade Wooster All Gas and Gaiters Meet the Wife
Tony Hancock Sid James Harry Worth Terry Scott Benny Hill Lance Percival Arthur Haynes Dickie Henderson
VARIETY SHOWS (listed by company producing)- ATV ABC A-R Granada BBC . ATN . . Pop Shows
Brief details of other surviving shows . . . . . For some contemporary reviews of Variety Shows . . . . . See also Dick and the Duchess
CLICK here for details of a few selected later comedy series from the late 60's onwards. . . . . To DINOSAUR TV MAIN PAGE

Dinosaur TV Comedy / Variety
Picture Puzzle: Max Bygraves of course is on the left of the photo, but who is with him? Answer.

Review of a show I did not see:

Sunday Night at the London Palladium (September 11th 1960, ATV)
'J O'T': "The new season got away to a good start with a well danced, well dressed opening number... Bruce Forsyth made his farewell appearance as compere... he looked more in command than I have ever seen him before, so polished, relaxed and natural. His successor will have a high standard to live up to.
The Clark Brothers certainly dance faster than other dancers but were otherwise very ordinary. They weren't altogether helped by camera framing which managed to cut their feet off in the full shots! The appearance of the Five Amandis made us realise the great talent of the Russians... Chris Cross is a ventriloquist who needs better material and more practice.... Frankie Vaughan was at his inimitable best. He is obviously determined to develop the entertainer in him rather than the personality. The girls over here always liked him singing showy songs but the Americans seem to like the romantic approach. He'll be a big success either way"

Some more contemporary reviews of (mostly) wiped variety shows

. . . . . .

.

.

.

.

.

Tony Hancock
Tony Hancock Show (A-R, 1956)

Hancock's Half Hour (BBC)
2.1 The Alpine Holiday (1957)
3.5 The Air Steward
3.9 The Lawyer
3.10 The Competition
3.11 There's an Airfield
3.12 Hancock's 43 Minutes

4.1 Ericson the Viking
4.3 The Set That Failed (1959)
4.4 The New Nose
4.11 The Oak Tree
4.12 The Knighthood
5.1 The Economy Drive
5.3 Lord Byron Lived Here
5.4 Twelve Angry Young Men
5.5 The Train Journey
5.6 The Cruise 		5.7 The Big Night
5.8 The Tycoon
6.1 The Cold (1960)
6.2 The Missing Page
6.4 The Reunion
6.6 The Babysitters
Hancock
7.1 The Bedsitter (1961)
7.2 The Bowmans
7.3 The Radio Ham 		7.4 The Lift
7.5 The Blood Donor
HANCOCK (1963 ATV)
1 The Assistant
3 Shooting Star
5 The Man on the Corner
8 The Craftsman
9 The Night Out
12 The Writer
See also ABC Variety (Blackpool Show)

By common consent his BBC Half Hour was the pinnacle of early TV comedy. The best of the scripts provided Tony Hancock with a brilliant foil for his comic genius. Yet to assume they are all perfection would be too hopeful- quite often the shows are almost as humdrum as the very best of their contemporaries, however when at the peak of excellence, they are unsurpassable even today.
So where exactly did Hancock's once eagerly anticipated 1963 ATV series go wrong?
The stories were built around the same old Tony Hancock, he had the same mannerisms, the same slightly bigoted attitudes. Was it the absence of Sid James? Certainly that was one failing, but more importantly, Hancock is clearly suffering from a lack of confidence. And who can blame him once he had first seen those scripts? Yes the missing ingredient is Galton and Simpson, those ace scriptwriters.
Twenty years earlier Laurel and Hardy, the greatest comedy duo had seen their film career collapse, when writers insisted on merely recreating their old gags. And so here, this is sub Hancock, the same Hancock washed up again, but never in quite the right mixture as before, and never with any inventiveness.
A couple of these stories have potential, even if unfulfilled potential, but the others are simply abysmal, marking the sad collapse of the greatest television comedian. Laurel and Hardy did almost revive their careers on stage, but sadly the lad from East Cheam never quite made a good comeback.
The picture is from the ATV Hancock series. The episode is The Politician.

Best show- For perfection, read The Economy Drive, or of course The Blood Donor.
Funniest moment- I love The Missing Page, as Tony goes mad when he gets to '... and the murderer's name is....'
Dud shows- The Train Journey, The Reunion. Unless of course you include the ATV shows, in which case, these two are quite good
To Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Alpine Holiday (no Sid James)
On the plane, Hancock is arguing with a rotund hostess. In his Alpine costume, he's stuck in the aisle, unable to get past her. Then he has an altercation with a passenger, Hancock rather unpleasantly standing on the man's legs. He gives us his war memoirs how we drove the plane with his feet etc, all very unsubtle, and pointless too. "Hope the injection we gave you, calmed you down," the pilot tells Tony. After the plane has landed the journey to the Alpine hotel.
The fun should really start at the hotel, but it doesn't. The receptionist (Richard Wattis) greets Tony with an apology, "we only accommodate celebrities... never heard of you." Another insult is that he must share a room, number 26. The figures on the doors are rickety and 26 turns into 29 booked for a French lady (June Whitfield). She is not too impressed that she has to share with Tony, nor is the receptionist impressed with the "intrigue," though Tony doesn't mind sharing.
"Stop messing about," Tony's new mate is less satisfactory. It's Kenneth Williams, he can't make much of the script either, though he gives it his best shot. The mood does pick up building up to a nice joke about Hancock's photo.
Williams is apparently the yodelling champ of East Dulwich, "I've got the biggest yodel in Dulwich." After a dispute over who has which bed, it gets broken.
Their third companion spends his time blowing an Alpine horn, Hancock is glad to get out on the ski slope, but after an accident a forlorn Hancock returns to the hotel and a new room. Another misunderstanding with the French lady and Hancock is placed under arrest.
In the last scene he's behind bars, six months solitary, better, he decides, than the hotel
To the Hancock Page

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

4.1 Ericson the Viking

Hancock keeps a superb miserable straight face to Sid's festive spirit. He's worried about his new tv series, Ericson King of the Vikings. We soon see why.
At Splendide Film Studios, Sid in charge, the cast are revolting. "They didn't treat us like this in Ivanhoe." Once the union dispute is settled, emerging from his dressing room, the boiler house actually, is King Ericson, who seems none too impressed with his army of three.
Takes 1, and 2, and 3 and 4, all very very brief, a puzzled Hancock stops to inspect the one camera, it's a still camera! Tony demands they use a proper camera, which he offers to pay for. Immediately Sid produces one, "I've been waiting for you to pay for it."
Next criticism is the dialogue. But it must be American to capture their market. "I wonder if Richard Greene ever had this trouble with the Sherrif of Nottingham?"
During the tea break, Tony has a nice exchange with Pat Coombs, "Sarah Bernhardt." Then follows the big scene, a doomed love scene with this princess, with weak lines such as "it cannot be'est." Then a deliberately stuttering Arthur Mullard enters as a messenger who cannot act. Tony tries to keep a straight face. After a duff fight with duffer sound effects, on to victory by Ericson.
Now to the cutting room, where Sid is inexpertly at work, he also muffs one line. Tony awaits the finished product in front of his tv screen, "I wonder what sort of mess he's made of it."
Awful is the answer to that. The opening is a nice parody on Robin Hood. Thereafter it's more akin to the Goons as our heroes step on to a London bus, maybe as well the BBC cut it off, axing the film, in favour of the 84th showing of the London to Brighton train
To the Hancock Page

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Set That Failed
Fine observation on the new telly viewing habit, with some interesting references to contemporary programmes.
TV engineers (Hugh Lloyd and Johnny Vyvyan) are finding it difficult to mend Tony's 1936 set. The Lad faces the possibility of missing "highlight of the week" Dotto at 7.30. "I shall go mad," he cries in despair. Though to vainly console himself he falls back on that old standby that there's nothing on to miss. After failing to enjoy a jigsaw he remembers he's missing Long John Silver. He visualises the plot in his best Robert Newton. When the unsympathetic Sid catches him in full flow, the pair decide to improve the art of conversation. But the rather obvious silences eventually turn to the theme of tv. Charlie Chan, "marvellous how he comes out of the fog, never gets lost," referring to the opening sequence. Then in desperation listening to next door's tv. Drill a hole in the wall to watch! Robin Hood. But the neighbours switch off to go out. Tony gives us a nice line, "Fancy going out when the tv set is working."
Another neighbour is appealed to, but he refuses admission, so Tony tries peering through the window. Twenty to eight, "Matt Dillon will be on now," this with a fine disregard of schedules. It's the opportunity for some American impressions.
A forgotten relative is next, Uncle Fred. he's too polite to leave the set on when his visitors call, giving us a great punchline.
At number 33, Tony and Sid, who seems to have caught the viewing bug too, sneak in to join the family crowd watching there. This sequence is fair comment on viewing habits, even if a little too protracted. The family don't notice the two newcomers, assuming they're family. They exchange some tragic family news quite nonchalantly as they stare glued to the tv screen. Tony is ordered to make the tea, which he does very badly, since his eyes are fixed on the programme. Even laying the dinner table, in front of the tv, is accomplished in a slap happy way as no eyes stray from the set. Finally two more of the family arrive and Tony and Sid have to slip away, unnoticed naturally.
Next day the set is repaired. An appeal from a failed set owned to Tony falls on his deaf ears. But Tony's ancient model conks out again
To the Hancock Page

.

.

.

.

.

.

Lord Byron Lived Here
With a leaking roof and replastering needed, repairs to 23 Railway Cuttings are urgently required, but how to pay? If the National Trust could be persuaded, but did anyone famous live in this dump? Tony and Sid consult ancient tomes and find one visitor to East Cheam, was Lord Byron plus his Lady Caroline. "What did he do?" inquires Sid, the answer is something about scribbling. Bonkers is Sid's comment to that, but it gives him the idea, jotting little poems under the peeling wallpaper.
When Tony is introduced to this graffiti he's hard to be convinced by the quality of such material as Roses are Red, Violets are Blue. Literary quality dubious, but could this be "the artistic find of the century?" John le Mesurier of the National Trust is hardly impressed and despite Tony's over confident advocacy dismisses the find as rubbish.
So Tony and Sid go it alone in opening their humble home to visitors, where many tacky souvenirs are on sale, Lord Byron's football boots etc. The first wave of visitors for the grand tour conducted by Hancock himself in period dress, half a dollar each, includes an impressionable American (Robert Dorning) and a sceptic (Hugh Lloyd). The American is eager to purchase Lord Byron's typewriter until the sceptic points out the typewriter had yet to be invented. A recreation of Byron's creative genius concludes the tour, as Hancock scribbles down another poem while the sceptic is ejected by Sid.
For sale, Byron Rock, Byron Biros etc etc. It's a healthy turnover, but nipped in the bud by our sceptic, who has dragged a council officer to close them down. Sid confesses he'd composed the poems, which quite takes Tony aback, "an ignorant buffoon like you with those creative gems!" A less good line from Tony as they are left alone is Another Fine Mess. Sid discovers a hidden gem, faded but clearly genuine, under more paper over the fireplace. A first draft by Alfred Lord Tennyson of the Charge of the Light Brigade. It's a splendid ending, as Tony spurns this load of old rubbish
Hancock Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Tycoon
The sort of fantasy that Hancock did so well, giving him full scope for his creative comedy flair.
It's 1929 all over again. Tony is preparing to jump as he's skint. Sid tries to reason with him, but he is blamed by Tony for his financial woes for all his shares "have plummeted mate" in value
However he does emerge for his window sill to go over the crisis with Sid. All those shares Sid sold him are worthless, the Atlantic Tunnel Company etc were lost causes surely! Down and out, Tony returns to the window ledge, an exasperated Sid now urging him to get on with it. A nice build up of the tension after Tony tries to argue himself out of jumping. Finally he responds to Sid's idea of putting on the kettle.
The East Cheam Building Society may go bankrupt. Hancock owns two shares. That tips it. He decides to jump. A nice touch, it's only a couple of feet to the ground.
To the meeting of the society, a stormy affair. Hanock falls into a reverie. Dreams of his staving off collapse, "the only possible man who can save it, "that's our Tony. With him handed complete control, now they've never had it so good.
We move on to his being Lord Cheam, very busy buying and selling, dictating several letters simultaneously, while phoning USA ("hello Ike") when enter his erstwhile mate Sid, on hard times, just as another debtor jumps.
The lovely fantasy develops further with his encoutner with the man who owns the other half of the world, Anatole. A la Napoleon, Tony sips a giant brandy as "the two giants collide." Vying with each other for superiority, they attempt to buy the other out. A card game to decide it, Chinaman's Whist the servant Sid suggests. "How do you play it?" Sid explains, he's allowed to sit in on the game as third party and naturally his machinations succeed as Sid wins the lot, then Tony's dream evaporates, his hands round Sid. Another window jump to end
Hancock Page

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Cold
Every remedy under the sun, our lad is swigging the stave off a cold. Unsympathetic, Sid listens as Tony graphically describes his awful symptoms as only he can, a real tour de force. Tony prepares another sneeze, slowly and with feeling. Sid rejects the hypochondriac's cures, dons a mask and sprays the room each time Hancock coughs. Hancock remarks on Sid's conk, "that's not a nose any more... just a straightforward head ventilator."
Now Tony's reaching the crisis, aches, dizzy spells, delirium. Take to his bed and the ministrations of Mrs Cravat who treats her patient with her own patent medicines. Not quite Harley Street, and not quite the good scene it could have been. With her magic fingers she draws the fever out, "cold cold go away, come again another day." Hancock brightens and seems to be trying not to laugh himself. But as he coughs, she produces her own spray, and the spell has gone.
Dr Callaghan is the next hope, though his waiting room is full of germs. With patient Hugh Lloyd, Tony proudly exhanges coughs. But on being called to the doctor, he finds the doc has a cold too, and moreover he has surrounded himself by those same quack cures. Tony offers some of his own tablets, as they nicely discuss the merits and demerits of the various potions. Frustrated, the doctor suggests Tony tries Mrs Cravat. When the doc coughs, all Tony can do is spray him and depart in disgust.
Back home, Tony mourns the lack of taste in his food as Sid eats as hygienically as he can. Sid explains why he's so healthy, all about keeping fit, and he now takes Hancock on a crash course, running. On his return, an exhausted Tony cries, "I never knew how well off I was when I had a cold." But there's some balm for Tony, for Sid has finally succumbed and Hancock can revel again in his own cold germs
Hancock Page

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Reunion
Tiresome characters, too stock in trade, spoil this story. Not every Galton and Simpson script was a masterpiece.

The bar, where Tony is returning his empties, mostly worthless, is manned by your friendly barman Harry, who is most pleased to take Tony's giant order for his forthcoming reunion with his old army pals, first time he'll have met up with them in 15 years.
Sid casts his eager eyes over all the booze as Tony anticipates a revival of his great memories of wartime camaraderie, "one for all, and all for me." Very patiently, Sid listens as Tony bores him with repeats of all his war tales. We have to bear it and listen also.
After that great build up, time for the reunion of the Four Musketeers. First to join Tony is Smudger (Hugh Lloyd), hardly the expected "avalanche," time has changed him, for he opts for "a cup of tea." Tony repeats the phrase with incredulity. Sid adds his own pointed comment. No longer does he wish the nickname Smudger, his name is Clarence. The joke about the ATS girl is just too obvious. it's his wife and he has to bring her along too, she's no bundle of laughs.
After some of Tony's facial expressions, the awkward and embarrassing silences are interrupted by the next Musketeer. Ginger (Clive Dunn), once "a million laughs," now cuts a pathetic figure, with a nice refrain with Tony, "it's been a long time." Tony's wartime scrapbook is no success either. He finishes in despair. Finally Chalky (Cardew Robinson) drops in, he was "the real live wire." His appearance is unchanged, but there is one alteration, he is now a man of the cloth.
Here endeth the awful evening. Guests depart, let's be thankful. But here's one latecomer (Robert Dorning), effusive beyond belief, unlike the others. Hancock slams the door on him with a great punchline

To Hancock Page

.

.

.

.

.

The Bowmans
In the radio studio there are a host of rustic voices, yes it's the Archers lookalikes. After the usual rural woffle, old Joshua (Tony) interupts proceedings to everyone's annoyance a lot of adlibbing in a fruity burr. Once off air, the cast complain loudly to producer Ronnie (Patrick Cargill) who calls Tony on the carpet before handing out the next scripts. In this Joshua falls into a threshing machine. Tony can see it offers the opportunity for pathos, but no, they are actually having the effrontery to write him out of the script, "we're killing you off on Tuesday night." Indignation is a Tony strong point and he gives them it in his best tones, "untutored hams."
So we come to the deathbed scene, "Poor Old Joshua." His dying croaks in the background become louder, he perks up in a variety of delirious accents, "I'm going." But he does not quite go. As the aftermath of his death continues on air, behind a struggle to silence the dead old boy. Thankfully the final credits and he is handed his "golden handshake," not a lot.
Trying for a new job, auditioning Hamlet, a rather tedious sequence until he offers Hamlet in his Joshua accent. Indignant at his rejection, Tony turns to period costume but what we see is but adverts for Grimsby Pilchards, "you're never alone with a pilchard." That campaign a failure, Tony resorts to his old routine of talking to himself, though a parcel of fan letters cheers him up, flowers by the vanload, five thousand complaints to the BBC, for, a little improbably I felt, the recorded programme of Joshua's accident has only just been transmitted.
A boardroom discussion to work out ways and means of getting Tony's services back results in a swollen Tony dictating terms, £10,000 a year, top billing etc.
The new series sees Tony centre stage in his rightful place, his old enemies are nicely written out in a tragic scene at a mineshaft

Hancock Page

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. THE TONY HANCOCK SHOW (1956 Associated Rediffusion)
No.4
With a script by Eric Sykes, who appears briefly, the best sketch is based on the imaginative premise that TV cameras are allowed into the courtroom as in the USA. Tony milks the applause in between the adverts and plays What's My Line with a witness.
Other sketches feature Tony replying to his fan mail, all two letters, and "Chez Hancock", a distinctly unsuccessful nightclub, with Tony playing the doorman, waiter, chef and Apache dancer.
Others in the supporting cast include young June Whitfield, Ronan O'Casey and Clive Dunn.

To the Hancock Page

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

1 The Assistant (January 3rd 1963)

In a shop window, a woman is undressing a model, drawing some attention from Tony. He starts to grapple with the dummy, but that's the end of this bright idea.
He returns the offending object to a shop assistant who summons the manager, Mr Stone (Patrick Cargill). Her tale of woe is the first slowing down of the story, unnecessary and now the plot grinds to a halt as Tony recalls the good old days of this store, before Mr Stone reminds him his account is outstanding. This is not so much a conversation between two fine old sparring partners, as two isolated monologues.
A deal is struck. Tony's account will be paid off, if he can successfully work here for a week without ever being rude to customers. However the plot then moves in another direction, as on his first day of work, Tony is assigned to the packing department. Here he is to work with Owen (Kenneth Griffith), a Welsh bigot in danger of breaking every parcel in his charge. Again the plot fails to develop, as Owen trots out most of the Welsh cliches you can think of, relating to unemployment. "I am bitter," he insists to Tony, for the Welsh are downtrodden by the English. Griffith gives the part his best, but it is at best an aside to Hancock, his rant far too protracted, and his punch line is expectedly weak.
Then some slapstick, as Tony gets enveloped with sellotape. Owen and Tony try working as a team, but only smash every vase they are supposed to pack, the whole scene never with much coherence. Now alone, Tony has to pack urgently a rubber dinghy which inevitably starts to inflate. Mr Stone is unimpressed with Tony's efforts, nor were viewers.
So he is moved to the toy department, dressed as a rabbit to "have fun with the kiddies." This is Hancock at his best. "Push off," he shouts at one girl (Adrienne Poster), who starts to cry. End of that joke.
Now he has to sell games. A customer (Martita Hunt) asks how the magnetic table soccer works and receives an enthusiastic demonstration. It's the best scene by far as she and Tony compete on the soccer table, a crowd gathering. "Wonderful," his opponent cries. However the demanding Mr Stone is still not amused and returns Tony to his part as Uncle Bunny.
Yes, there are possibilities here that could and ought to have been exploited. Tony has the support of three fine actors, but the script needed much more flow, much more concentration on Tony Hancock

To Hancock Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.


3. Shooting Star
with Denholm Elliott

Hancock is standing at the corner of the street, idly watching passers by. But then one stares back. Hancock feigns indifference, turning his back on the stranger.
There's a long silent mime interlude that never raises more than a few titters, the stranger is sizing up Tony's facial features, clearly a film director (Denhom Elliott). After a long wait, this Peter introduces himself, his style is "I believe in showing life as it is." He sees Hancock as ideal for his latest production, "a complete waster... a moronic bully."
To the studio, for a screen test opposite Diana (Frances Rowe), who wisely plays it deadpan to leave Tony with the laughs. Or maybe deadpan as she hasn't any laughs, and knows Hancock hasn't much to bite on either. She's jaundiced against amateurs.
Take 1, "no acting please," cries Peter, as Tony hams it up. But then our lad forgets his lines, not at all amusing as he misses his cues in a husband and wife argument. He muddles his props in a reminder of amateur comedy night, it's painful. This test drags on and on, Hancock on the end of slaps not only from his screen wife but also his young daughter Lucille.
The Sins of the Father is this film, and somehow Tony gets the role, and in a reminiscence of the old lad, encourages himself in the mirror as day one on location looms.
It's a scene with Diane and Lucille, the wrong lines, a repeat of the previous disaster. However an unscripted char (Hilda Barry) livens it up, telling Hancock off for his treatment of his daughter. "I'm not her real father," Hancock adds by way of corny explanation, which doesn't help things. Peter decides the char makes "for a wonderful touch of realism," indeed she outacts the others, but of course they're supposed to be only acting, I think. "Push off you old faggot," Hancock warns the char with more than a touch of realism, as they struggle with a bottle of beer. "Perfect," cries the undiscriminating director, but did the real producer of this programme, Alan Tarrant, think that was really true?
After getting slapped by wife and daughter once too often, the star quits. Maybe this was a parable of this show, what Hancock should have done. As it is, outside the local cinema is a poster of the star Diana, who is making a personal appearance. When the pair meet, Hancock receives another slap, his only resort is to draw a beard on her picture, in a scene cribbed from The Big Night (Hancock's Half Hour 5:7). Childish, yes, but it sums up the script volumes

To Hancock Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

5. The Man on the Corner
Today on the street corner Tony is chatting to a local policeman. He blames the H bomb for all the bad weather. When challenged as to what exactly he is doing, Tony explains he's watching people.
Then he exchanges words with a bearded gent (Wilfred Lawson), another who blames the bomb. Now Tony espies a man and woman acting suspiciously, are they spies? Tony informs the policeman, who, sceptical, points Tony in the direction of the station, any station.
For reasons unknown, Tony is now passed to the unflappable Col Beresford (Geoffrey Keen), "I've yet to meet the man who can make me lose my temper." An ill omen perhaps, though even after what follows, the colonel is true to his word. Tony describes these spies he's seen, the man indeed looking a lot like the colonel's assistant (James Villiers). Instructions are given to Tony should he spot the spies again, all tongue in cheek. He's to be agent 13, code name Canteen. "You're a brave man," congratulates Beresford, his sarcasm wasted on our hero.
Tony soon spots the spy again, following him to a chemist shop. In a pointless scene, Tony repeats all the words the spy says to the shop assistant.
He must phone the canteen, "agent 13 reporting." The canteen staff (Moyra Fraser) at the end of the phone humours the nut, "arrest him immediately," are Tony's orders. As per instructions Tony moves in. Matthews in under arrest. Tony phones to inform the Canteen, who are less amused second time around. "Speaking in code," Tony is forced to deduce.
A foreign voice phones Matthews, "bring de microfilm." Yes Matthews really happens to be a spy, he confesses and a triumphant agent 13 shuts his prisoner in a wardrobe and marches off to contact the other spy, as arranged, at a phone box. After several false alarms, Tony makes his second arrest.
Next day he's back on his street corner, headlines proclaiming Spy Ring Smashed By Man in Street.
A second scene showing the colonel's reaction to the arrests would have been more advantageous, though this is perhaps the best of the series, if that's saying anything. A fine supporting cast cash in on the current spy craze
To Hancock Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

8. The Craftsman

Hancock and slapstick don’t mix! A poor effort as Tony tries to show the DIY TV experts up, but the story is awfully predictable, and the chaos that ensues seems strangely reflective of the turmoil Hancock must have been feeling.

Night on the street, Tony helps an aged lamplighter (Eddie Malin) with his "dying art." Tony nicely allows the old boy to ramble on about the old days.
Then to a shop window, with a tv set showing Arthur Fuller, the DIY expert. Tony gives his commentary to a woman passer-by (Barbara Mitchell). "Who's 'e think 'e is?" asks another watcher called Stan (Brian Wilde), evidently jaundiced by his own DIY failures. Is it a put up job? Tony offers to put Stan right on the niceties, a real craftsman he is.
Next morning, donning his overalls, Tony explores the ironmongers, annoying the assistant, especially when it's evident he doesn't know the names of many tools, "a great big thing to bash it with."
Tony's first task is to fix Stan's front door, not too successfully. After passing on his new found knowledge of tools, he hammers in some nails, badly. There won't be any mess queries an anxious Stan.
Tony's real task is to erect a new wardrobe in Stan's wife's bedroom, a job Stan isn't confident enough to tackle himself. Before putting it up, there's much time talking, and creating something of a mess, as poor Stan's confidence is gradually eroded, though he politely refrains from comment.
Tony Hancock was never a slapstick comedian, and the sawing of a plank, wrongly measured, is not performed with enough enthusiasm or crassness to make it amusing. No wonder measurements are incorrect if the craftsman uses his arms to measure, then Stan's braces.
Then there's Tony's ininextinguishable confidence in his own misplaced ability that never rings true, as Tony finally curses Arthur Fuller and his tv trick photography, and walks out on poor Stan, what a mess he leaves behind.
Next night, he sees the lamplighter again and tonight it's a gardening programme on telly. Tony adds his own commentary

To Hancock Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

9. The Night Out
with Derek Nimmo.

No start on a street corner this time, it's the morning after, the left overs of a giant party, Tony slumbering into life to jazzy downbeat music, in a mime sequence, before a waiter enters- he's in a hotel.
Tony can recall little, except he'd gone boozling with Tom. However he perks up when he finds a bird in his bed, "not bad," and this is the Bridal Suite! He tries to awake "Mrs Hancock," though he knows not her first name. After romanticising, Tony's flow is interrupted by Gavin (Derek Nimmo) who explains that this is Sarah, his, not Tony's, wife.
Tony quizzes him over the events of the night. Tony sang I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen repeatedly, but Tony's main anxiety, is did I offend anyone? This he reiterates often, and Gavin keeps on assuring him no, "Good" replies Tony, but uneasily. He commences singing the song again, in cha cha.
Tony checks what happened by phone with Tom, but a delirious maid (Patsy Smart) interrupts, hugging him, calling him her Anton. There's a pathetic story that she cannot stay with him, rather improbable too. "Are you sure I didn't do anything silly? repeats Tony to Gavin. We await a punchline, but it never comes.
Now a crowd gathers, friends from last evening. More champers is ordered as Tony fights off Sarah's attentions, mainly to fawn over Gavin, whom he has discovered is gentry. Gradually however the truth dawns on 'Tone,' he's footing the bill. Removing the unconsumed drink, 'Squadron Leader Hancock' complains at reception to the clerk (Donald Hewlett). His bill currently amounts to £143.
A whip round, Tony proposes to his guests, but all too expectedly they vanish into the dawn. Tony, attempting to bunk also, is prevented by porters, and so has to flee via the upstairs window.
Along a ledge, and into another room to another guest who is inebriated. Tony relates his sad tale and sings that song, and drinks more drink. The pair pick up another crowd and Tony is last seen booking into another hotel, "put it all down to me," he smiles.
No, the punchline never came to that oft repeated question. The story is as flat as that leftover champagne

To the Hancock Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

12. The Writer

The tale of Tony's efforts as a poor tv scriptwriter, with too obvious parallels with this series' own abysmal scripts. This one by Terry Nation only goes to prove his writing talents lay not in the 'comedy' field.
This starts in an empty bar where Tony waits restlessly to be served. Having destroyed a bell, he moves to the adjoining bar, where a tv comic Jerry Spring - sic- (John Junkin) is getting ready to watch himself on tv. His scriptwriter Elmo (Francis Matthews) is at his side.
After returning his broken empties, Tony purchases an Italian wine, Chateau Latour, as well as a small brown ale. After enthusing on English country life, he debunks this pub where anything and everything is banned.
Tony watches the comedy on tv, introduced by Pete Murray. Soon Tony is decrying "Britain's leading funnyman," to Jerry's discomfort. "Not 'im, oh no." Tony watches impassively as Jerry's recorded jokes make the audience laugh, apparently. "'E's not going to do the octopus gag," anticipates Tony. By now Jerry is getting quite worked up, until Tony spots who he is. "Great fan of yours," Tony interjects, belatedly. Imparting his advice, Tony explains Jerry should include some funny walks in his act. Jerry laps it up, though naturally Elmo is not amused. Jerry however sees something in Tony, maybe he was desperate?
Into the script conference walks a new Tony, dark glasses, loud suit. Dressed over the top, Tony plays it over the top because the script is so dull. Listening to a taped conversation is plain tedious, this interspersed with numerous "can we please get on," but we never do. Finally Tony spits out a concrete idea... 31 elephants on stage. Certainly impracticable, and Elmo is right to storm out. Maybe the others ought to have taken his lead.
Now Tony is on his own, composing a script, performing his Noel Coward impersonation. His typing skills are less good, and thinking up a single joke is even more problematic. This really is becoming like this real life series. After a long frustrating lack of inspiration, Tony resorts to Christmas crackers to obtain his material.
As he reads over Tony's script, Jerry's eager smile turns to blankness. At last one laugh. Tony looks pleased. But it's only about "the way you spell trousers." Is that funny? An attempt to read through the script, Tony in the part of Blodwen to Jerry's Dai quickly dies the death and the script veers back to a sample of awful jokes, then impression of Marlon Brando, somewhere along the line Jerry sneaks out. Then there was one.
Yes, that was a parable for Hancock. Maybe rather clever if you look on it as intentionally introspective, but surely not! Tony returns to the pub to watch wrestling on tv. The viewer, the wrestler himself of course, takes excception to Tony's remarks and floors Tony, who never gets up. He never did get up

Amen. To Hancock Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

ATV VARIETY SHOWS
By common consent, ATV were the acknowledged masters of variety series in the 1960's.
Click for more details:

London Palladium Shows

ATV Spectaculars

Putting on the Donegan

Johnnie Ray Sings

The Big Show

Other ATV programmes:
Lunch Box (1958)
host Noele Gordon with Eula Parker

Celebrity Spot (1959) - length: 5 minutes
two programmes with Ian Stewart, piano.
Channing Pollock, magician.

Picture- a scene from a Saturday Spectacular which has happily survived: The Diana Dors Show (qv)
To our Comedy and Variety Menu Page

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Sunday Night at The London Palladium
For some years from 1955, this became the best variety show of the week. The opening show in September 1955 starring Gracie Fields and Guy Mitchell was seen in a mere 129,000 homes. In the first quarter of 1958 the highest total of viewers for the show in one week was 11,250,000. Then by February 1959, with the main ITV areas operational, the show reached five million homes for the first time. A November 1961 show saw that figure rise to 7,934,000. The 250th show in April 1962 eclipsed that with a figure of 7,939,000 homes. At that stage 223 of the 250 programmes had featured in the national Top Ten.

Spring 1958: hosted by Tommy Trinder, with Sarah Vaughan, Marvin Rainwater.

March 22nd 1964: with Bruce Forsyth, plus Freddie and the Dreamers

'New Palladium Show' hosted by Jimmy Tarbuck:
First show September 26th 1965: top of bill are Pete and Dud

October 24th 1965: with Michael Bentine and Cliff

November 21st 1965: with Cliff, Charlie Drake

March 20th 1966 : Special Guest Roy Orbison (colour)

Autumn 1966: host is Kate Smith

To ATV Variety Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

1958
The Tiller Girls start the entertainment with a peerless synchronised dance routine.
Enter, stage right, a beaming Tommy Trinder who stoops to pick up some litter, but no, it's one of Liberace's cast-offs. He has some topical jokes, including a complaint that there are "too many medical shows" on telly, and fantasises on what might happen if the BMA run the tv, shows like Sunday Night at the Clinic.
Pinky and Perky are followed by Marvin Rainwater who sings I'm Still in Love with You, a medley of Hank Williams' songs, plus It Takes A Whole Lot of Loving.
Dick Shawn, first time on British television, has an interminably long routine, interminably unfunny too. "I'm just a crazy mixed-up kid," he tells us, he was right there.
Beat the Clock has a £900 jackpot with a returning Mr and Mrs Hopgood, and a Mr and Mrs Heinzen from Darlington. He's a teacher, and gives Tommy a well rehearsed and delivered reply to the query, "What do you teach?"
Sarah Vaughan is the big star with four numbers on her first appearance on British tv, A Secret, Poor Butterfly, They All Laughed, and Never Smile Again
It's interesting to watch this surviving Tommy Trinder show, for you can see traces of how well Brucie took on Tommy's mantle.
To Palladium

.

.

.

.

.

.

Sunday Night at the London Palladium - 22nd March 1964

After the usual opening with The Tiller Girls, Bruce Forsyth enters, still drooling over the previous week's guest Ethel Merman- only a pity that that show isn't preserved! BF performs some lively numbers in her honour and naughtily speculates where Ethel might have hidden her mike. Then he introduces The Trapinos, comedy acrobats, after which he apologises for calling them "The Traponis."
After demonstrating his newest trick golf club with a stooge called James, he makes way for Freddie and the Dreamers. They give us I'm Telling You Now/ Send me Some Loving/ Over You.
In Beat the Clock, BF is assisted by Sally and has contestants from Goodmayes (where's that near asks the compere politely), and Worcester.
The final part is graced by an attractive "old street cloth" of London as Billy Russell (William Cassius Russell he calls hisself) performs an updated version of his classic On Behalf of the Working Classes, "five minutes," he confides to us, "then the axe drops." He has swipes at Liz Taylor, and politicians, before singing Just An Old 'As Been. Top of the bill is the awfully lively, but to me uninspiring, Spanish dancer Antonio, with Rosario. Fifteen minutes too long
To Palladium

.

.

.

.

.

.

New Palladium Show
September 26th 1965
First of the revamped series, introduced still by the 'Startime' theme. And now hosted by Jimmy Tarbuck, who had made his name on the old Palladium show back in October 1963.
He bounces on, through a brick wall, singing, then describing his send off from Liverpool as he set off for his new job.
With a chorus, the exuberant JT sings and dances Look Out World Here I Come. He also talks about the greats on previous Palladium shows, with occasional interruptions in the orchestra pit from "Hack" (Jack Parnell).
First guests are Peter Paul and Mary who give us three numbers, ending with the tale of Samson.
Then the new feature, the unannounced special guest, here Sarah Miles, a little gauche, trying to plug her latest picture. JT ushers her along. She then introduces a trio of guests:
Susan Lane, singing My Beloved,
The Searchers, When I Get You Home (that's how Sarah introduces it), and
Edmund Hockridge's powerful voice rendering the lovely Some Enchanted Evening.
After another dance, JT pans round the audience for interesting people. The camera lights on footballer Dave Mackay, and then Mike and Bernie Winters. Also out there is Frankie Vaughan, who, obviously pre-arranged, comes up on stage and performs a duet with JT Side By Side. "He's the greatest," ends the admiring JT, clearly a fan.
Top of the bill are Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, who of course round off the evening with their eccentric song 'Goodbye'
To Palladium . . . ATV Variety Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

October 24th 1965

Michael Bentine starts the show as The Great Sebastian, in a sketch clearly held over from the previous week. Then the dancers perform a bouncy medley of Roaring Twenties numbers.
Enter JT on a toy car, the latest mechanical wonder from Japan. He introduces Eleanor Toner who renders Danny Boy. That's followed by The Fortunes with their latest hit.
Celebrities in the audience are Ian Carmichael, Dilys Laye, "Mr" Jan Holden (!) and Patrick Cargill, stars of the new show Say Who You Are. The Ryan Boys, celebrating their 17th birthday, are also watching, as is Des O'Connor.
Topo Gigio, if you like him, is on stage, JT has an intimate chat, trying his best.
Cliff Richard, not here to promote his songs, does a pleasant duet with JT, Standing at the Corner. The show concludes with comedian Frank Berry, then The Bachelors.

To Palladium . . . ATV Variety Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

November 21st 1965

JT enters to the background of a wall with graffiti including 'Tarby's back.' This is explained in the second part, when JT tells us the show was returning after a two week gap. He starts the first part of the show carrying this crown, allegedly it was left behind after the Royal Variety Performance!
Cliff Richard and The Shadows perform a medley of Memories accompanied by Jack Parnell's orchestra on stage. It's not really Cliff's style, though he then does a solo Fly With Me To The Moon.
JT has some topical gags about the gales, and ad libs about the fun had during the ad break, having to quickly move the Parnell band down to the pits. Then he introduces Robert Harbin illusionist (though he calls him "Robin").
After a dance routine with the Pamela Devis dancers, it's time to introduce celebrities in the audience, Juliette Greco, Bessie Braddock, the Moscow Dynamo Soccer Team, and Miss World.
On stage there are Charlie Drake with Henry McGee, followed by Freddie Davies, first Palladium appearance.
The Shadows give us The Warlord, then accompany Cliff with Falling in Love with You, and Wind me Up. To finish there's a medley of Cliff's four golden discs

To Palladium

.

.

.

.

.

.

March 20th 1966 (in colour)

Jimmy Tarbuck opens with a brief rendition of Pretty Woman, a foretaste of what's to come later. It's "Mum's Day," he tells us. Then he sings and dances A Dedicated Follower of Fashion, a lively colourful number.
After The Biasinis, a couple of trick cyclists, JT talks dully about his golf and then introduces
Julie Rogers who sings two numbers, including My Room.
Sylvan is a "card manipulator" who performs various amazing tricks.
Then JT delves into the Tarby archive with childhood memories, or is that childish?
The Seekers sing Nobody Knows De Trouble I Seen, Someday Oneday, and Open Up Dem Pearly Gates.
The final part opens with Celebrity Time, including Erika Remberg who is to be "the leading lady in the new Saint series" (poetic licence there), plus a Parisian fashion designer.
Ray Fell tells some jokes, then it's the star
Roy Orbison with four songs including Pretty Woman, Golden Days and his "new record."

To Palladium

.

.

.

.

.

.

Show hosted by Kate Smith (c November 1966)

Dancing in a London street is a prelude to the arrival in a vintage Rolls Royce of Kate Smith, "what a marvellous way to arrive in London!" She sings No One Else Could Love You More.
Bob Monkhouse is the first act, "nobody cares about nostalgia," he gripes. So he does his up to date pop star routine.
Tom Jones sings two numbers during the show, after which Kate thanks him admiringly, "you've got a beat." They duet It Takes a Worried Man.
Tap dancers The Clark Brothers are followed by Millicent Martin singing Alfie, then performs My Hieland Fling, rather an odd song and dance number for her.
Morecambe and Wise top the bill, also singing with Millicent Martin in their own inimitable way Moonlight Becomes You.
To round the show off, Kate sings A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (I'm not sure if her comments were quite appreciated) and What Kind of Fool. Perhaps Mr Monkhouse was wrong, for this show was just full of olde tyme songs!

To Palladium

.

.

.

.

.

.

Val Parnell's Spectacular
1959: Johnnie Ray Show, with Pat Kirkwood
(Fascinating Rhythm, My Island, Way Down Yonder), Lenny the Lion, Joyce and Lionel Blair. JR sings: All of Me, Springtime in the Rockies, Wagon Wheels, Thank Heaven for Little Girls, I'll Never Fall in Love Again, I Miss You, I'm Gonna Move, I'm Gonna Walk and Talk with my Lord
1959: Johnnie Ray Show, with The Treniers, Channing Pollock, Anne Shelton
JR sings What a Kiss, Day by Day, How about You (+AS), All of Me, All the Way, Shake a Hand, Lonely for a Letter, Up Above My Head, (with The Treniera:) When I Lost my Baby + Sing with the Fishes
1959: The Diana Dors Show-
Diana Dors sings Love Can Be, then Dickie Dawson performs some short impersonations. Lionel Blair and Joyce sing and dance appealingly Just in Time. After a Dragnet take-off, there are some mini sketches on the theme Love and Marriage, Sandra Dorne and Patrick Holt also joining in. Adele Leigh and James Pease sing Give Me Your Hand by Mozart, before the more mundane Operation Contraband, how the Americans and the French would do the same script. The French version is the best sketch of the show, but that's not saying much for Jimmy Grafton and Alan Fell dream up an awful script unworthy of the stars, who struggle to get more than a titter. Diana sings Imagination by the fireside (some nice sets in this Albert Locke production), before the most interesting sketch from our viewpoint of today. Diana is Maid Marian, Dickie Dawson Robin Hood, Alan Wheatley himself is the Sheriff and, presumably to plug his series, Conrad Phillips is here as William Tell. John Bentley also butts in as 'African Patrol' with the three doing an enjoyable plugging song Super Special Series of the Year. Unfortunately Alan Wheatley can't sing at all well at the start, though he improves. Also in their sketch are Jeremy Lloyd as a nicely camp Tarzan, and Lionel Blair disguised as The Invisible Man. The show concludes with a Love and Marriage song medley
1960: Alma Cogan with Adam Faith and Don Alan-
AC sings This could be the Start, Night and Day, three songs with Teddy and Pearl, Begin the Beguine, You Made Me Love You. Adam sings I'm Happy, How About That, Lonely Pup, and a nice duet with AC: I Remember it Well. Producer Francis Essex achieves some impressive white light effects in the dark during Bill Finch's act.
* With Alma Cogan,
who sings A lovely Way to spend an Evening, Should I Reveal, Someone to Watch Over Me, Rockabye your Baby, plus a medley with The Dallas Boys, and with John Raitt: There Once was a Man. Freddie Frinton drifts in and out aimlessly.
* Hosted by Bob Monkhouse with guests Morecambe and Wise (edited to 30 minutes)
To ATV Variety Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

Putting on the Donegan
The first show went out on June 26th 1959. I have these shows from c1960
Programme 2 (Monday Jan 4th 1960) with the Clyde Valley Stompers, and The Mudlarks. Lonnie sings Please Buy More Bananas, Ace Down in the Hole, (with Fiona Duncan) Through Rain or Snow, (with The Mudlarks) It's Friendship, Glory Land.
3: (Jan 11th 1960, last of a group of three shows). Lonnie sings Gold Dust, Don Carlos, Miss Otis Regrets (a fine arrangement), and On the Road Again. Lorrae Desmond gives us I Only Have Eyes For You, plus What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For, ending with a very odd puppet. Des O'Connor, "fresh and young," does an enjoyable Businessman's Rock n Roll. The trio sing an Umbrella Song
* (date?) Lonnie with Chris Barber's Band. Lonnie sings 'Hard Travellin' and 'John Hardy' etc as well as one number in which the mike gives out!
* (date?) with The Peters Sisters singing Blues All Around me, Sugar Candy, and (with Lonnie) Remember Ragtime. Miki and Griff render I Heard the Bluebird Sing, and Lonnie gives us four numbers, the best perhaps being the thoughtful Don't Pass Me By
* (date? the last of the series, says Lonnie) Lonnie with guest Alma Cogan
1961 series in which comedy filmlets with Lonnie started each show. The scripts (partly written by Trevor Peacock) were dire, Lonnie would surely have been better advised to stick to what he was brilliant at.
1 (Thursday May 11th 1961) Lonnie sings When You're Smiling, A Barber's Life (comedy sketch), Seven Golden Daffoldils ("our new record"), Lonesome Traveller, and Leave My Woman Alone. Lynn Cornell sings As Long As. Miki and Griff sing Stayed Away Too Long. One awful sketch with Daddy (LD) telling a bedtime story, Red Riding Hood, with corrections from his wife (Marcia Ashton)
* (date?) Lonnie sings Black Cat ("no 25 in the Top Ten") then Sheila Buxton sings Wrong. An unfunny sketch with LD as a zoo keeper with Monica the Elephant who is apparently sitting on some woman. Part two starts with Lonnie singing a Country and Western version of Miss Otis Regrets, before an off the cuff ramble with Miki and Griff who then sing You Never Write or Call. Lonnie concludes enthusiastically with I Shall Not Be Moved, and Have A Drink On Me
3 (May 25th 1961) film with Lonnie as a waiter- slapstick. Lonnie sings Revenue Man, then in poetry introduces Miki and Griff (True Love goes On). Shaw Taylor introduces a semi-goonlike Beaky Oak, some sort of Top Ten carpenter. Then with his guitar, Lonnie sings the oldie Just A Wearyin' For You, with some feeling, before Valerie Masters gives her version of The Toreador Song, a spoof. After an awful chocolate tasting sketch, Lonnie sings Lively, then Rock My Soul
4 (June 1st 1961) with Johnny Duncan singing Sleepy Eyed John. The intro is Lorelei, and later Lonnie sings Worried Man, Neath the Weeping Willow Tree, Rambling Round the City, My Old Man's a Dustman
To ATV Variety Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.


 Johnnie Ray Sings (1959)
Four shows that were made in Britain at the end of the 1950's.
All featured Shani Wallis, with a fine accompaniment by Jack Parnell's Orchestra.
1- Johnnie sings: Should I Reveal?, September Song, Don't Worry 'Bout Me, Day by Day, Who's Sorry Now. Duet: I Wonder Why. Shani sings: Gipsy in My Soul, Old Man Sunshine, Falling in Love with Love
2- Johnnie sings: All Right, Glad Rag Doll, Tell the Lady Goodbye, Another Man's Blues, Beginning to see the Light(duet), This Longing in Me, I'm Gonna Move. Shani also sings Noone ever Tells You, The Nearness of You.
3- Johnnie sings: Love Can Be/ All in the Game/ If I Had You/ It's all Right with me (duet)/ Ain't Misbehavin'/ When I Walk All Over God's Heaven/ Give Me Time/ Please Don't Talk about Me when I'm Gone. Shani sings: What's New/ I've Got My Love to keep Me Warm.
4- In the last show Johnnie sings Up Above my Head, Yes Tonight Josephine, Yesterday, 100 years from Today, As Time Goes By and Leader of the Band. Shani sings All of You and Valentine Day and (duet) After You've Gone

See also ATV Spectaculars

To ATV Variety Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Big Show (US title: Showtime)
ATV attempted to make a variety show that appealed to both sides of the Atlantic, but somewhere in mid-Atlantic the show sunk. Amongst the dross, search for a few minor gems.
One viewer rightly complained to TV Times (May 25th 1968 edition), "The Big Shows for the last two Sundays have really been very, very bad. Give us back The London Palladium Show."

The dates below are for the UK screenings-
(7th April 1968) with Terry-Thomas, who starts with his suave, "how do you do? Good Show." His "futile pursuit," he tells us is to be the host, "I'm effervescent- do you ever know of a time when I wasn't?" He dances a little, just a little with the dancing girls before The Dallas Boys perform an awful updated version of the song Peanuts. Mireille Mathieu sings in French, T-T kisses her then she gives us Time Alone Will Tell. T-T threads his way through the chorus line to introduce Tanya the elephant via a rather weak story, "I wish I hadn't said that." Tanya is certainly clever but not pc but today's standards. Dorothy Loudon sings with T-T thinking he's Bob Hope, they don't quite gel together. She's pretty far gone as she sings Sweet Mamma. Rudolf Nureyev dances the Pas de Deux from Don Quixote with Ulli Wuhrer and finally "charming chap" T-T talks about Birds and gives us a medley of bird songs, lively but not really his style
(28 Apr 1968) host - Shelley Berman with Shirley Bassey, Aker Bilk
(5 May 1968) host- Phyllis Diller with Michael Bentine, Anita Harris, Dickie Henderson, The Shadows
(26th May 1968) host - Eddy Arnold with Roy Castle, Freddie and the Dreamers, Jimmy Edwards
(14 July 1968) host- Juliet Prowse with Buddy Greco, Dave Clark Five, Bruce Forsyth, Joe Baker

To Comedy Menu
To ATV Variety Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

ABC VARIETY SHOWS:
More details of ABC's output on our ABC Variety page.
ABC tried hard to dent ATV's grip on light entertainment on the commercial channel. An early attempt started on Saturday 21st September 1957, when ABC stopped showing ATV's Saturday Spectacular, in favour of their own
Top of the Bill (1957)

Hullabaloo (1963)

Big Night Out (ABC)
A long running series hosted by the faintly irritating Mike Winters with constant interruptions from the gormless Bernie Winters. Lionel Blair was a regular with his imaginative dance routines.
* with David Nixon (1963)
* with Bob Monkhouse
* with Gerry and The Pacemakers
* with The Beatles
* The Beatles 1964 (edited)

Bruce Forsyth Show (1965)

The Blackpool Show (ABC 1966)
This series replaced Blackpool Night Out, which had run on summer Sundays in 1964 and 1965.
Wrote Max Wyman in The Viewer magazine: "Hosting the show each week is none other than Tony Hancock- fast heading back to the top of the profession once more." And Philip Jones, ABC Light Entertainment chief, announced: "we are extremely pleased to get Tony to head the summer series."
* compered by Tony Hancock with Jeannie Carson, Bob Monkhouse, The Rockin' Berries and John 'Evelyn' Junkin
To Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Top of the Bill
ABC officials claimed that "the slick, sophisticated approach to variety was not liked up in the North and Midlands." Howard Thomas of ABC was determined to out-parnell Val Parnell, and produced this short-lived fortnightly series
The series was produced by Arthur Lane, who said, "it is not intended to rival the Saturday Spectacular... there will not be a line of chorus girls. I feel they never come over well on the small screen. .. I am not using a compere or commere. They only slow things up." There was a studio audience of 300, "you have to have them to give atmosphere," explained Arthur Lane. The shows were made at ABC's Capital Studios in Didsbury.

The first programme, which I have not seen, starred Lonnie Donegan, Albert Modley and Shirley Abicair.
Arthur Lane said that others booked for future shows included Norman Evans, Pat Kirkwood and George Formby (see below). Chas MacDevitt Skiffle Group and Johnny Duncan were two more up-to-date attractions.

My review of the second show on Saturday October 7th 1957:
George Formby starts with a couple of jokes, then students at a music academy pick out Chas McDevitt who plays I'm Satisfied With My Girl, My Baby Said Goodbye (vocal Shirley Douglas), and Honky Tonk Piano. Cabaret- Edna Savage sings As Time Goes By, and Bueno Sera. Then George himself at the seaside sings It's Champion Camping Out, Two of Everything ("dedicated to Jayne Mansfield"!), and Leaning on a Lampost. As he sings there are very brief clips of two of his old films, to which ABC had then the rights, It's In the Air (1938), and Trouble Brewing (1939).

To ABC Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Big Night Out VTR2894

* with David Nixon (1963)-
Lionel Blair starts the show with some non-standard camera angles and even a negative picture at times; he dances and Joyce Blair sings.
The first guests are Lennie the Lion and Terry Hall.
Magician Abdul el Winters, Mike Winters performs tricks assisted by Bernie Winters and David Nixon. Then Bernie is sawn in two, before the tag line comes up announcing the ad break; "End of This Half."
Short Sketch: No Hiding Place: Lockhart gets a tip off about another train robbery.
Lionel dances an intriguing 007 ballet around a giant roulette wheel.
Sports Time: Bernie as a cyclist.
Teddy Johnson and Pearl Carr.
Bernie the Rustic, Mike as a toff.
Joyce Blair sings.
David Nixon does some magic.
The finale is an imaginative visual conclusion with the brothers both in boxes about to be sawn in two, Bernie querying, "What does ABC Television mean when they say there's going to be cuts?"!
To ABC Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

Big Night Out

with Bob Monkhouse -
Lionel Blair arrives by sports car at the studios and dances his way inside.
Petula Clark sings That's How We Feel to Love/ Thank you/ Let's Call the Whole Thing Off (with Dennis Spicer).
Sketch: From Wigan With Love: Bernie as James Bond, Mike as M.
Short sketch: Bernie as a char, with military bigwigs.
Sketch: Just the Job- The Milkman, with Bernie and Freddie Mills.
Sketch: Bernie of Arabia.
Bob Monkhouse concludes the show, including his take-off The 5th Beatle
To ABC Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Big Night Out VTR3344
guests: Gerry and The Pacemakers-
Opening Sketch: Human Cannonball Bernie, at 120mph through the stratosphere, a typical bit of fun, Bernie ending up still smiling.
Lionel Blair's song and dance is on the theme Good Morning, introducing the stars. Mike and Bernie sing part of Have You Heard.
Gerry and The Pacemakers perform I'm the One, and, later, Why Don't You Pretend.
Just the Job- Gardening, Bernie in rustic garb amd voice. He also sings and dances to a limerick.
In Part Two Lionel Blair does a dance medley (I'm in a Dancing Mood, etc).
Sherlock Holmes: Bernie as SH, Alfred Marks as Lord Baskerville, six times married last year. Holmes faces the hound.
Part Three begins with a Z Cars sketch: Gerry Marsden as Sweet, Bernie in drag.
Teddy Carr and Pearl Johnson sing and sing.
Alfred Marks talks: "I work cheap."
In the finale, Bernie returns to that Cannonball.
To ABC Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

* with The Beatles
The Beatles sing With Love from Me to You, She Loves You, Twist and Shout.
Also with Patsy Ann Noble who sings two numbers.
Lionel Blair's opening dance uses umbrellas; later, in a mask, his dance is a mime stealing a necklace.
The brothers open the show in a storm at a lighthouse, plenty of buckets of water over Bernie.
Sports Time at the Highland Games with Bernie MacWinters outside his crofter's cottage with lots of corn, eg Mike "the noo." Bernie: "Beg your pardon laddie." Mike: "the noo." Bernie, "aye, it's round the back o' the hut." Or this better joke, Bernie: "On Monday we burn peat, on Tuesday we burn Angus." Mike:"And how about Wednesday?" Bernie: "On Wednesday, Robbie burns."
Bernie and Billy Dainty argue about their attractive appearances.
Mike and Bernie date Two Gorgeous Girls, with a weak pay off line.
Sally Barnes, who played Bernie's wife in this last sketch then performs a love scene with her partner, a sample of the script will tell you much. Husband: "Your eyes, they're like magnets." Wife: "Oh don't mention those horrible things to me." Husband: "You don't know what magnets are." "Wife: "Oh but I do. I've seen them crawling out the cheese."
Final scene: everyone dancing to The Monkey Twist
To ABC Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Big Night Out

* The Beatles 1964 appearance (edited to 25 minutes)

At the start, Bernie 'explodes' into the studio with the lads. The Beatles are seen on film, arriving by boat ('Welcome Home Beatles'), travelling by Rolls to customs where Mike and Bernie inspect their luggage.
Lionel Blair dances at the customs, singing It's Very Nice.
Mike and Bernie discuss the name of their act with the Beatles- The Mike Winters Six doesn't sound quite right!
Each of the Fab Four reads out a fan letter, requesting that Bernie sings a Beatles' number, then we see Bernie typing the letters himself.
The Beatles sing All my Loving, I Want to be Your Man etc
Also appearing Jackie Trent and then
Lionel Blair dances and sings to Let's Face the Music and Dance and other Hollywood numbers.
The finale shows the whole cast twisting and dancing to I Want to Hold Your Hand

ABC Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

Bruce Forsyth Show

September 1965
with guest star
Cilla Black who has some awful dialogue with Brucie, though their duet Off to the Movies is an improvement- it had to be! Later she sings Yesterday.
A posh Miriam Karlin sells a dog to BF, with some nice adlibs, even from the doggies.
Bruce performs a song and dance with two girls, a novel comedy.
Then BF performs a sketch with Francis Matthews as a drunken golfer. Matthews has to return home to explain his absence to his wife. The boys concoct a wild excuse, which the wife breaks down. Best bits are Bruce's swaying wildly being held on by the end of his bulky jumper.
The Morgan James Duo join Bruce for The Girl from Ipenema, and there follows Bruce's great parody of the song. The Duo finish with Sweet Pussycat.
As a finale he plays a concert pianist rather at loggerheads with his conductor.

ABC Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Hullabaloo
This 1963 late night Saturday series was made by ABC Television, and was not fully networked, only being shown in ABC's own area plus a few regions such as Westward.
The series included folk, as well as rhythm and blues songs, and was introduced by Rory McEwen.
"I insisted on a studio audience," Rory explained, "these people, listening to what you are singing, give the performer added incentive."

c November 1963
* Ray and Alex MacEwen sing The Day We Went to Rothesay. Carolyn Hester sings Hush Little Baby, then Peter Paul and Mary give us Blowing in the Wind, and Judgement Day. Later they also sing one further song. Rambling Jack Elliott has a number which gets the best audience reaction, Fishin'. Long John Baldry sings Night and Day and Sydney Carter Down Below, the tale of a worker in a London sewer
* with Peter Paul and Mary singing it Ain't No Use/ Go Tell It on a Mountain, Carolyn Hester with I was Born in East Virigina/ Every Time I Hear, Rambling Jack Elliott with Water Basket, Sydney Carter: If I Was, Alex with Rory McEwen: St Patrick's Bend, and Cyril Davies and Long John Baldry with Preaching the Blues.
c December 1963
* with Sonny Boy Williamson- Somebody's gotta go. And Ian Campbell Group- Fol-de-rol-diddle, The Duo Ofarim with two songs, Cyril Tawney- The Oggie Man. Rory sings Ella Speed, and the peculiar number Jean Harlow died.
*with Sonny Boy Williamson singing Baby's Coming Home, Alex McEwen with Rory in Hame Lullaby, the Ian Campbell Group with the unusual Knickety Knackety, Esther and Abraham Ofarim with Every Night When the Sun Goes In/ Lila, and Sydney Carter with Elections Ahead, which includes a topical verse on Commercial telly, who clad Honor Blackman in leather

ABC Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

(ASSOCIATED-) REDIFFUSION:
Jack Hylton Presents The legendary impresario was responsible for most of A-R's early variety.
Before Your Very Eyes (April 20th 1956) -the last show of Arthur's first A-R series (before this series, his BBC show had the same title!). Sabrina makes a "tight squeeze" of an entrance. Arthur helps her fill our her tax form, then Jerry Desmonde sells Arthur a washing machine for £20, but shows that income tax, pay rises and purchase tax make the final cost much more. Realising he's out of pocket, Arthur tries the same dodge on Avril Angers, but is done again, "there's something wrong." Then Arthur takes his car to a testing station where Jerry Desmonde finds fault with the headlamps, the mudguard, the door, the brakes ("sorry about that") till little is left, only "a load of junk." Arthur asks hopefully, "don't you think it'll pass the test?" A Date Among the Palms is a silent film with Arthur and Avril. Now forty years on he gets the starring role in a picture directed by Jerry. "The crummy old has-been" reshoots his old film with sound, "what's wrong with my voice?" A novel way is found to get his voice to sound deeper. The best line, if also the most corny- Avril: "You Arabs are such intense lovers." Arthur: "Everything we do is in tents." Finally Arthur thanks everyone as this is the last of this Friday night series.
Dickie Henderson Half-Hour (1.11, 12th September 1958)- Song spot: Diane Todd sings I Will Remember. The first sketch is about Dickie telling a joke and laughing at it uproariously while Anthea Askey doesn't understand it. "You can't explain why a joke's funny," she protests, quite rightly but Dickie repeats it ad nauseam. Very tedious and annoying. A better if even more obvious sketch is The New Neighbour with Dickie besotted by new neighbour June, blonde, "wrapped around her little finger." The idea gathers some momentum. The final piece is a silent film The Love Bandit. Dickie as Rudolph Valentino, Anthea as Seducian the dancer. A few nice nostalgic touches. As it's the last show of the series, Dickie thanks his cast and director Bill Hitchcock.
The Crazy Gang - The Tiller Girls start off the show, after which the five Crazy Gang sing Be Your Age. Then some scenas on the theme of If. The Crazy Gang dance to the Blue Danube with large balloons. Then, in wigs, they are teddy boys jiving. The main offering is their version of The Scarlet Pimpernel with nice interruptions from the wings. Fabian of the Yard (Bud Flanagan) seek the Scarlet Pimple- and rhyming with Pimpernel the best line is, "that damned elusive Val Parnell." Rosalina Neri sings two numbers in Italian, then You made Me love You.
Bing Crosby Show (1961)
Bing sings Great Day before taking us of a tour, on film, of London in his quest to trace his ancestors. In Ye Olde Tea Shoppe he is served by Pat Coombs, and sings a medley of Tea Songs with Dave King and Marion Ryan. This includes Tea for Two, When I Take My Sugar to Tea, A Nice Cup of Tea in the Morning, A Cup of Coffee etc. Terry-Thomas helps Bing to find the records of his ancestors. It's a very half hearted attempt at slapstick. Ron Moody arrests Bing for busking, Bing singing The Sheik of Araby. He's taken to court to be tried by Judge Miles Malleson. To the jury, he sings My Fate is In Your Hands. Released, he sings Fings Ain't Wot They Used to Be with Miriam Karlin, before reaching the pub The Crosby Head. En route we catch Shirley Bassey who sings Shooting High etc. There's a cockney sing-song at the pub, plus one Irish song with Shaun Glenville and Bing. Finally Bing gets to meet his long lost elderly relative Matilda (she turns out to be Bob Hope of course). Bing ends with White Christmas.
Hippodrome
Complained one viewer of the series (TV Times No 575): "I can visualise another Boston Tea Party, only this time it will be telerecordings dumped in the harbour. I am not very fond of the Americans, but surely they can't deserve such a terrible punishment."
One surviving show (October 1966) we have seen includes The Herculeans (acrobats), Linda Bennett (singer), Jeff (with five tigers), The Zombies (rock group), Alma (trapeze), Three Getzis (acrobat clowns), Moni the Elephant, The Great Segora (fire eater), plus The Band of the Grenadier Guards.
To Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

GRANADA:

Burt Bacharach Sound
Fascinating outtakes from the programme shown on 14th April 1965. The director was Philip Casson.
Insert 1: BB conducting
Insert 2 (two takes): Always Something There to Remind Me
Insert 3: Trains and Boats and Planes
Insert 4: BB playing piano and conducting Always Something There to Remind Me
Insert 5: Chat with BB and Hal David (plenty of mutual backslapping)
Insert 6: (after a false start) BB conducting
Insert 7: (after first take aborted, these are takes 2 and 3): Dusty Springfield: I just don't know what to do.
Insert 8 (two takes): The Merseybeats and Dusty Springfield: Wishin and Hopin
Insert 9 (three takes): Dionne Warwick: Hey Little Girl, followed by one take of BB introducing Chuck Jackson (plus one muffed)
Insert 11 (two takes): Dionne Warwick: Walk on By,
followed by closing credits
Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

BBC
An Evening's Diversion (1953, edited to 50 minutes)-
Imagining a television entertainment in 1596 with "the epicure of cooks" Philip Harben. Others appearing may possibly include Lupino Lane and Elton Hayes. The Society of Inventors reveal the 'latest' inventions whilst there's a snippet of a play. Best bit is the announcer solemnly reminding viewers to get their tv licence, on pain of a whipping

Contrasts (1955)-
with the Robert Farnon Orchestra which plays Yes We Have No Bananas, How Beautiful is Night, Portrait of a Flirt (with dancing by Claudine Goodfellow), Robert Beatty introduces a clip from Captain Horatio Hornblower RN, Jean Gilbert (piano) plays a variation by Paganini, then the orchestra conclude with Strawberry Fair and Night and Day

We Are Your Servants (1956) -
A celebration of ten years of post war BBC telly, introduced by Leslie Mitchell. Other links provided by Kenneth More, Peter Haigh and Humphrey Lestocq. Music from Geraldo. A special What's My Line, hosted by Gilbert Harding. Arthur Askey (who'd recently defected to 'the other side') is seen on film with Frank Muir and Denis Norden, whilst Bob Monkhouse does a topical monologue and Jacqueline Mackenzie similarly. Richard Hearne is on stage with Terry-Thomas, whilst Muffin is seen with creator Jan Bussell, and Sooty with Harry Corbett. Oddest sketch is Petula Clark who is seen in a clip from 1946 before appearing in a strange dialogue with Stephen Boyd

The World Our Stage (1957) -
host: Trevor Howard. Shirley Eaton dances. Ted Ray Billie Whitelaw and Kenneth Connor perform a sketch 'First TV Set.' Peggy Cummins stars in The Man on the Balcony, an unlikely comedy with Bob Monkhouse as a potential suicide. Phil Silvers sends the BBC brief congratulations. Finally, a huge choir perform The Isle is Full of Noises

Solo Performance (1959) -
George Formby with a potted account of his career and lots of songs- Serves You Right/ Down the Coal Hole/ Swim Little Fish/ Guarding the Home of the Home Guard/ Goodnight Little Fellers/ Sitting on the Ice/ and a medley of three favourites to conclude

"Wakey Wakey"-
1959 (edited) - with Russ Conway and Max Bygraves. The Fiftieth Wakey Wakey Tavern show
Christmas Eve 1961- guest star Eric Sykes tries to persuade our Bill to do a Robin Hood panto. Failing that how about Aladdin? A third try of Cinderella introduces Hattie Jacques as a Fairy Queen. The final sketch is yet another Come Dancing take-off, with Jeremy Lloyd as the bandleader. Other guests are Mrs Mills, John Williams who also does a guitar 'duet' with Eric, and Ricky Stevens who attempts I Cried For You
1964 - with Russ Conway, Spike Milligan, Ted Rogers and Frankie Vaughan. 'Cotton Capers' with our Bill racing at Brooklands

That Was The Week That Was-
It all looks very tame nowadays, only Bernard Levin appearing modernistically rude. True, some of the satire was revolutionary for tv at the time, but the show always seemed to me to be enthusiastically amateurish, but then maybe I am an old fart like BL.
* That Was The Year That Was (Decemebr 29th 1962) - Millicent Martin sings the headlines interspersed with a few photos and jokes in this first end of year review by the TW3 team. A jibe at Telstar, "a British picture, the French have a very clear picture." The cameras are at the party conferences, Roy Kinnear Labour, Willie Rushton Tory, and Lance Percival Liberal. There's a nice take off of Adam Faith after his tv encounter with the Archbishop of York, 'Adam's Not a Sinner Any More.' There's a look at letter writing phrases, with an interesting aside on homosexuals. I liked the alleged French version of Dixon of Dock Green avec Willie Rushton . Nearly very good too is the image of the Liberal Party after the Orpington revival. "Mollie Martin" (thus David Frost) sings an awfully jazzy number before Bernard Levin provides his jaundiced view on "a nasty shifty bad tempered year" headed by the Cuban crisis. Roy Kinnear gives his Save Panorama appeal, must have done the trick as this programme is still running! Percival makes up a typical calypso, getting a clap for a topical Liz Taylor joke. Frost ends with the current newspaper headlines
* 1963 show with special guest Frankie Howerd. - He does "a little lecture" on the budget ("Reggie means well...") but it's his jibes at TW3 itself that are most entertaining: "I don't approve of this sort of thing," he confides to us viewers. Perhaps coming on at 11.35 sharpened his feelings! Other guests include Cleo Laine, who duets with Millicent Martin, and Michael Redgrave with a wistful poem on those recently melted down at Madame Tussaid's. The best sketch perhaps is Willie Rushton phoning the US about Britain's decline as a world power. Celebrated Hairdresser Mr Raymond isn't quite riled by Levin, even though as a Liberal candidate, he knows little about Liberal policies

International Cabaret (1966)-
with Johnny Mathis (20 mins)

Ken Dodd Show (1966)-
From Blackpool, where Ken is on his vacation, "a beautiful day for bouncing in a blancmange."
He phones The Gaffer at Number 10 before introducing The Bluebell Girls.
After they have danced their routine, Ken gives us a topical soccer monologue, and even shows us the world cup which his wife has just won for nagging. Then a less satisfactory sketch with Graham Stark, Ken as a goalie ("Mrs Thursday") who keeps getting distracted and thus letting in the goals.
Salena Jones from America sings.
A call for a doctor in the house brings Bill Simpson (Dr Finlay) on stage. He greets Ken as Janet.
Then it's time for the Diddymen, well one actually, Diddy Mint looking "very Carnaby Street."
Steptoe and Son are sitting on the beach in deckchairs. Albert taunts Harold who still is wearing his bow tie and jacket. Lacking a Galton and Simpson script they labour their lines, resorting mostly to insults. It only proves how important scripts are, because clearly their comedy is based on mutual hatred, but here the unpleasantness is somehow too dominant. They meet a golfer (Ken Dodd) and Albert gets his own back a little by calling him Bugs Bunny.
Ken describes The Sound of Music film rather dully. it seems he must be filling in time, before more movingly singing Promises to end the show
Main Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Made in Australia by ATN (Sydney)

Meet Matt Monro
His first hour long spectacular, he informs his audience. Expense was certainly spared, with very sparse sets, but I suppose, fairly typical of the era.
With Lorrae Desmond
The Flanagans
Billy Burton (trumpet).
Matt's songs include I'm a Pommie, Walk Away, Born Free, Softly, Portrait of my Love, San Francisco, I Have Dreamed, plus a medley with Lorrae.
Interspersed amongst the songs are numerous plugs for the sponsor Dulux.

Matt Monro 'Live' at the New Twenties Restaurant, Melbourne.
An excellent cabaret, though Matt's attempts at humour between the singing are rather painful.
Songs include: I'll Go On Singing, How do You Do, What to Do?, My Kind of Girl, Yesterday, You are Nobody, Portrait of my Love, Walk Away, If I could Hold You, From Russia with Love, Georgy Girl, Born Free, Softly.

To Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Citizen James
Galton and Simpson's 'Hancockless' BBC series with Sid James and Sidney Tafler. Also featured are Bill Kerr and Liz Fraser in series 1. Sid Green and Dick Hills wrote the later, and (dare I say it?) better scripts.
1.1 Drunken Runner - In this opener, Sid introduces to the camera his mates and his business "registered at the Board of Trade as a Dodgy Proposition." Total assets threepence halfpenny. Sid persuades a down-on-his-luck athlete to enter the local Waiters' Race. At 100-1 Sid stands to make a packet, but will his dark horse succumb to the demon drink?
1.2 Magic Elixir - "Doctor" Sid flogs Bill's patent medicine but the police swoop in the shape of Bob Todd and Campbell Singer. Eventually Sid is cleared of all charges as he proves the efficacy of his product at the hospital, where he "cures" an ailing elderly lady, inevitably played by Patricia Hayes.
1.3 The Nosh Bar Raffle Prize money has "disappeared". Can Sid explain this away to "friends" like Nosh Bar owner (Ronnie Brody) and Meat Axe (Michael Brennan)?
1.4 Gambling Fever - Charlie to Sid: "With such an agile mind, how come you're always broke?" But suddenly Sid has £300, entrusted to him by Liz to take to the bank. But of course it's spent on Henry IV at 40-1. So what story can Sid dream up for Liz about her lost 300 quid? A robbery! But then of course, the police have to investigate...
1.5 Parkers - Sid goes into the wholesale business, manufacturing fags made from roll-your-own tobacco. All at the bargain price of eight pence for 20. Somehow they persuade Cecil Parker, THE Cecil Parker, to lend his name to the brand "Parkers". "You're never alone with a Parker" and other jingles follow. The best of the stories I've seen.
1.6 The Bet - Sid's been engaged to Liz for 7 years. The last time he took her out was to the Festival of Britain! Sid has a bet that she still won't go off with anyone else, but is in for a rude shock. The story picks up for the best scene when Sid tries to make her jealous by dating a stripper (Sheena Marshe).
2.11 Elope - "The Twist is the latest dance from America" says a TV announcer. Sid and Charlie visit the Palais where Sid gets into teenage trouble and Doris follows his advice and elopes to Gretna Green. Sid and Charlie follow on the train to repair the damage but worse, Charlie might have to make it a double at Gretna!
3.10 Watchdog - (November 1962) Sid takes pity on a burglar (Ronnie Brody) but decides to buy a watchdog from the kennels of Mrs Bullock-Smythe (Irene Handl). Fortunately Irene gets this slow story going: "Mr James, you don't want to be shy with me." The story ends much better as Sid's Tibetan yak hound terrorisies the neighbourhood, indeed stopping crooks from breaking in, but also Sid and Charlie from getting out!

To Sid in: George and the Dragon . . . Sid in Taxi
Comedy Menu

.

.

.

MORECAMBE AND WISE

ATV's black and white 25 minute shows. Congratulations to the anonymous one at Television House who refused to throw away these masterpieces! These survivors are not merely pointers to the duo's future comic genius, they ARE great TV comedy!
(# = guest stars edited out - M and W complete!)

Series 2 (Summer 1962)
* 76 Sunset Strip# - After the Party/ the classic
Are You Lonesome Tonight with a backing group/
Eric's silent film The Sheik/ Mutiny on the Bounty
* Dr Ben Kildare - with Alex Welsh Band / Beverley Sisters
Eric wreaks havoc with his tape recorder, later he sings 'live' Granada.
The best sketch is their snooker game with a lovely voiceover from Dick.
* Y Cars#
Eric is the Irish one/ Eric's rare plant/ Nice West Side Story take-off/ Eric's party/ Nina and Frederick take off
2.4 Supercar - with Acker Bilk / Beverley Sisters
Eric's dictionary: "imbibation." Plus a scene at a Chinese restaurant,
then by contrast Julius Caesar- Eric who is NOT Brutus
in an early example of the chaos he can cause in a play
* Flintrocks - with Kenny Ball / Beverley Sisters
Eric is Fred, Ernie Barney.
Also an extended Ball in the Bag routine, The Footballers,
and The Air Travellers in which Eric admires the stewardess.
Door Finale: Ernie is Alice in Wonderland, Eric The White Rabbit
2.6 Dick of Doxon Green - with Chris Barber / Beverley Sisters
PC Dick chats on, despite a pitched gunfight, then Eric spends most
of the show trying to be a magician. He also plays on the piano his version of Honeysuckle Rose,
and with Sid and Dick gets the first choice of four girls...
* Naked Village# Eric shows how to mime punches/ Indian Love Call duet via Telstar/ Eric without glasses, tries to impress the girls/ Abraham Lincoln
* Try your Luck - with Mike Cotton / Susan Maughan
An extended take-off of Take Your Pick/ The Double Headed Penny/
Snap/ Zoo Quest/ Eric as a Minstrel. Eric's on top form in this show
* Face two Face - with Mike Cotton / Teddy Johnson
Eric and his pipe/ Eric a talent scout/ A French farce: "get it off!"/ Hollywood medley, Eric getting drenched
* Juke Box Judges - with Teddy Johnson/Jack Parnell.
"Diabolical" declares Eric of the record he voices over/ Ernie sings whilst Eric acts/
Eric as Edmundo O'Reilly/ A courtroom scene, Eric having most of the parts/ They also sing Two of a Kind to conclude this series
Series 3 (Summer 1963)
3.2 WITH The Mike Sammes Singers and Acker Bilk
3.3 WITH The King Brothers and Barbara Law -
Eric has a dummy (not Ernie!) then the boys play poker and sing and dance with a radio mike
3.4 WITH The Mike Sammes Singers and Sheila Buxton - Eric's holiday slides/
Eric keeps phoning Ernie when he's in the bath/
Hamlet, a masterpiece with Eric as Polonius, who Ernie keeps ordering to "get behind the arras."
Scene-stealing, Ernie orders him, in an immortal line, to "hurry up and die"
3.5 WITH The King Brothers and Janie Marden - Insulting the audience
(with Norman Mitchell)/ Eric's Waterloo model/ Come Dancing/ Flying Doctor
3.6 WITH The King Brothers and Susan Maughan - Ernie wears glasses/
Eric's antique glasses- "only three in the world"/ Dance rehearsal/ Custer
3.7 WITH The King Brothers and Sheila Southern - Eric's matchstick model/
Eric the Gambler/ an early version of the Grieg Piano Concerto sketch/ Ernie as Alice in Wonderland
3.8 WITH Roy Castle- is it a new double "Castle and Wise"? Eric gets jealous, but the trio dance Me and My Shadow. There's also the Eric the Nude Painter sketch
3.9 WITH The Mike Sammes Singers and Shani Wallis -Eric takes an intelligence test/ Haydn’s Quartet in G Opus57/ Macbeth banquet scene/ Count of Monte Carlo
Series 4
* WITH The Beatles - who sing This Boy,
All My Lovin and Hold Your Hand. With Ernie they sing Moonlight Bay.
Sketches: The Pow Bird, Cooking with Pleasure (take off of the Craddocks),
Eric relating the plot of a John Wayne film
* WITH Herman's Hermits - 'Home from the Wars'/ Two Schoolboys/
A female vocal group- last of the series

Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

HARRY WORTH (BBC)

HERE'S HARRY
2.1 The Bicycle (1961)
2.2 The Holiday
2.3 The Request
2.5 The Medals 		2.6 The Voice
3.2 The Plant
3.4 The Birthday
3.5 The Overdraft
3.7 The Last Train 		. . HARRY WORTH
1.3 To Be Called For (1966)
2.2 What Ails you? (1967)
2.9 A Policeman's Lot
3.5 James Bond, Where Are You? (1968) 		4.5 Just The Job (1969)
4.6 Anyone for Golf?
4.7 I Will I Will

To Harry's ITV series

Thank goodness the critics were silenced when Harry Worth's first tv series 'The Trouble with Harry' was panned. Fortunately Harry rode the storm to produce some unique gems of situation comedy. Here's what the pompous Guy Taylor saw in the first of this series, A Little Knowledge (New Years Day 1960): "The trouble with this show is that it isn't funny. Worth must rely on wit not the cliches which were so obvious in Ronnie Taylor's script. Harry is a writer with a dragon of an aunt who likes to keep him well under control. In the first show he succumbs to buying 32 volumes of an encylopedia, much against aunty's wishes. He tries to hide the fact from her only to find that she has bought him a set of the same books for his birthday. The end was predictable from the very beginning as were Worth's gags and I am wondering whether the central character is strong enough to command a series of his own. I have seen Worth on many occasions in variety shows and found him funny. But in this type of humour which employs the understatement of lines within the framework of a plot, the whole thing becomes drear." After the second show (Danger Men at Work, 8th January) he added: "There has obviously been a great deal of thinking done about this show since its first appearance. I only wish I could report some improvement. It is true the script was a little better, but generally speaking, it still travels from one banality to another."
To Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

The Bicycle (May 4th 1961)
At this stage of the series, Harry Worth tended to still be trying just a little too hard, the rounded character of a bumbling endearing innocent not fully realised as yet.

Outside Harry's house stands a seemingly unwanted bicycle. His landlady Mrs Williams (Vi Stevens) doesn't know anything about it, so Harry puts it in the shed for safe keeping. Mrs W admires Harry's brainpower, surely a unique moment?!
Robinson and Hargeaves deal with Harry's problem. Mr Robinson (Anthony Sharp) is the unlucky solicitor to sort it out. "Have no worries, Mr Worth," he beings confidently. Soon of course he is wondering why Harry has come. It's a police matter, that's his best advice. But Harry has already written to the chief constable. So thanking Robinson, Harry leaves him a shilling. Mr Robinson looks rather unwell.
Back home, a policeman (Ivor Salter) is making enquiries about the missing bike. There's a slight confusion until Harry realises the bike belongs to the policeman. Seems rather asking for it to leave a bike just lying around, to me.
Harry's first task is to retrieve the evidence- the letter to the police. He finds the postman (Sam Kydd) waiting at the letter box, rather unusually he's early and is waiting for the appointed time to clear the box. The postman is mystified why Harry is standing around there also, in a nice little scene. Harry is waiting to retrieve his letter, the postman baffled why Harry doesn't post his letter. Time. "You're too late," cries the postman. "I'm not too late." But opened, the discovery is made that Harry's letter isn't inside anyway.
Early next morn, Harry calls on the police chief (Wensley Pithey). He asks a long winded question about people stealing not realising they are stealing, and then the mail is delivered. Three years, that's what he'll get for this, pronounces the chief constable. Harry looks worried, until it's clear it's not his letter. A "raving lunatic" is the next letter writer. But for once that's not Harry either. Then we come to Harry's. It contains Mrs W's shopping list. "This is marvellous," smiles Harry. He rushes home, and surreptitiously returns the bike to the nick, leaving it just under the poster about a stolen bicycle.
"I'm free," he shouts, as he gets home to Mrs W. But is he?- a man has followed Harry to kindly return that bicycle he had left behind

To Harry Worth Menu

.

.

.

.

.

The Holiday (May 11th 1961)
Mr Lloyd, travel agent, is so pleased to be back at work after a refreshing holiday. Jovially, he tells his assistant Charles, "you mustn't let trivial things get you down."
Cue Harry. How will the happy boss cope with him?
Where's the bus station, asks Harry. Further inquiry reveals he is off to Monte Carlo. Sensing a good customer, Lloyd patiently explains the ropes. Has Harry got his passport? No! If he can get one in time (those must have been the days), there's a flight this evening. Mr Lloyd helps Harry fill in the application. "Have you ever been called anything other than Harry Worth?" Confides Harry, "Dimples." "Have you any special peculiarities?"....
Next task is to get a photo taken. Rodney Price (Ronnie Stevens), already highly strung, takes the snap. "Mr Worth, you must keep still." While Rodney develops the picture, Harry deals with a valued customer, Lady Cartwright. To check it out, Harry asks Rodney, switching on his light.
"I was in the dark," protests the photographer.
"I was a little confused myself," adds Harry.
Armed with his photo at last, Harry is off to The House of Commons to get his MP to certify his passport. Johnson, Member of Parliament for Woodbridge (Ballard Berkeley) is a busy man, so Harry quickly explains, "I want you to certify me." It's the first time he's ever been abroad. Patiently the MP queries how he can be sure Harry is who he says. Harry has it- laundry mark TK512 on his shirt. Aah, replies Johnson, comprehending at last, TK512 belongs to Harry. No George Conway, elucidates Harry.
After frustrating our MP, Harry gets the signature. "Bon voyage," ends Johnson. "I wonder what that is in French," asks Harry who kindly promises to vote Conservative at the next election- only a pity our MP is Labour!
Mr Lloyd is waiting for the overdue Harry to give him final travel plans. The government only allow you to take abroad £250. "Very generous," says Harry, who tests his French on the exasperated manager.
With his beret, Harry books in at the airport customs. The officer (Reginald Marsh) asks for the passport. It's in the green suitcase. That contains cornflakes and other items on the breakfast menu. Finally the passport is found as Harry is explaining how to smuggle items on his return. Amazingly he's allowed through, then Reginald Marsh has a nice line as the next customer approaches, "Any cornflakes, kippers....?"
On the Riviera, Harry sunbathes. No it's the Isle of Man, he took the wrong plane. Having a whale of a time.... with nice Mr Lloyd who had needed another rest

To Harry Worth Menu

.

.

.

.

.

The Request (May 18th 1961)
Harry' s at the foyer of the BBC Television Centre, congratulating the Commissionaire on the Army Game. "The other channel," he's informed a little coldly. (In fact this series had finished by this date anyway!)
"Did you get my postcard?" Harry inquires. He'd sent in a request for Houswives Choice to be played tomorrow. It's auntie's birthday. "What's the title?" It's a pity Harry can't remember what it's called, he tries humming it. A passing pianist, thinking Harry is here to audition, sends him to Studio 6 where Mr Beaumont (Edwin Apps) patiently prepares to hear him. "I'm going to sing," Harry says. Next question, "what's it called?" Harry doesn't know. A frustrated Mr Beaumont leaves. Enter another aspirant, as Harry is whiling away the time singing Are You Lonesome?
Wandering round Broadcasting House, with the Commissionaire vainly searching for him, Harry stumbles in to the Weather Forecast. John Snagge is handed Harry's message, with greetings to auntie.
Briggs (Raymond Rollett), the Housewives Choice producer, explains the difficulty of acceding to Harry's postcard, for he gets 700 such requests each day. A frustrated Harry vows to take his complaint higher, to "Eamonn Andrews himself." In fact he somehow gets to the Director General who is at his desk listening to the Commissionaire's report on his search for Harry. Harry listens in. "I've badly been wanting to meet you," Harry is told. Such chaos has he caused, that it is agreed to grant Harry's request. So what is the title? Yes, it's the Woody Woodpecker Song. Harry is satisfied.
Next morning, 9am, Harry is back with the Director General, to check his tune is on air. Just as it begins, the programme is interrupted, for a gale warning

To Harry Worth Menu

.

.

.

.

.

"The Medals" (June 1st 1961)
Returning to his old barracks is Harry, he joined up in 1942 and has now come to collect his medals that he never received.
RSM Butler is the man to deal with Harry, "you been sworn in yet?" Mistaken for a recruit, Harry is directed to the recruiting office and a grateful Harry proffers him a tip.
Before he can join, Harry has to be given an intelligence test. "Seems a rather strange way to get a few medals." Intelligence- nil, reads his report. After a word association test, Mental Coordination- nil. Next a pile of bricks against the clock, Adaptability- nil. "Sure you wouldn't like to join the navy?" No, so Harry signs up. "When do I get my medals?"
Once all that is sorted out, Harry is off to the Records Office to see about those medals. An examination of his service record, once a lance corporal, and how he got demoted. His file is indeed bulging. May 1944- missing. Yes, Harry is entitled to medals, but it needs the approval of his commanding officer.
He is now the brigadier here (Anthony Sharp), a busy man. While Harry waits for him, he answers the phone. How's the weather? Harry says it's OK so "the balloon's going up."
Enter the brigadier. "I still can't place you," he confesses. Harry explains he was his batman... for a fortnight. Then it dawns, "you were the lunatic...."
Still one, for as the balloon has gone up, the practice battle area is a mess. "It's just like old times," sighs Harry blissfully. But it seems "our civilian was a deserter," Harry was never demobbed, so he now faces a court martial. But at least he can now have those medals
To Harry Worth Menu

.

.

.

.

.

The Voice
Mr Barnes runs a tv shop, but he has one customer he could do without. Every week Mr Harry Worth comes to the late night opening, not to buy, but to watch the serial Murder At Midnight.
Barnes does attempt to persuade Harry to buy a tv set. Anything for fifty shillings, Harry asks. No, but he is promised a demo set for £10. Meanwhile, Harry settles down to watch this week's episode of the serial.
Installing the set is Fred (Sidney Tafler), "happy viewing," he offers Harry as he readies to depart. But there is just a slight problem. For some reason a radio taxicab is interfering with reception. So on to the roof to check the aerial. Next scene is Fred with his head bandaged.
Harry complains about the taxi firm to Mr F West, Telephone Engineer. He starts enthusiastically dealing with Harry's problem. "I want a taxi," Harry begins. A puzzled Mr West asks where Harry is going to. Nowhere is the response. Finally Mr West grasps the difficulty, it's because Harry lives near the gasometer. Patiently he demonstrates how the gasometer is inbetween the transmitter and Harry's home. "Let's try again." In the end he can only offer the suggestion that Harry contacts the taxi firm.
Harry is kept waiting at their office, and as he does so takes calls from the taxis. Then he is sent to talk to the taxi drivers. Joe (Michael Brennan), he's the guilty driver.
Back at home, Harry is watching this week's episode of the serial, alongside Mr West. Harry has solved his difficulty....
To Harry Worth Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Plant
Harry is talking to his plant, a present from auntie, Mrs Prendergast. "Why do you wilt?" he asks it sadly. The reason is patently obvious, for as landlady Mrs Williams remarks, Harry's room is like an oven.
Harry however thinks more compost is required and orders it through the post. The postman (Geoffrey Hibbert) delivers the mail, and he too remarks the place is like a furnace.
Harry decides to consult Greenfingers of Gardening Weekly. He travels by underground from Watford Junction. A helpful porter (Patrick Newell) asks him where he is going to. Greenfingers, Harry answers. That confuses the poor railwayman.
Finally Harry reaches Greenfingers' office, actually he's named Bishop, and Harry shows him his plant. "Oh dear," only one leaf left on it. Bishop is rather puzzled so eventually suggests Harry try at Kew Gardens, only "you musn't mention I sent you."
His roundabout journey is via Watford Junction, "miles out of your way," the porter warns him.
When Harry does reach Kew, it so happens the oldest specimen of giant Mexican creeper is being packed up to be exhibited at an important International Conference. Harry is mistaken for the man from Gardening Weekly and his plant is taken away in mistake for the creeper. Professor Lawson interrupts Harry watering the real creeper. He imparts secret information on this rare specimen before Harry takes it away.
At the Conference poor Lawson unveils his masterpiece, "the moment you've all been waiting for." It still has one leaf. But back home Harry is much happier for the creeper is growing at a fantastic rate, making Greenfingers simply baffled
To Harry Worth Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Birthday
It's 9am, and Harry's waiting for the postman. He shoos Mrs Williams away, for it is her birthday. He hopes Simpson's Shoes have sent her present, but to double check he phones them. He speaks very quietly so his landlady can't hear.
Just then, a knock at the door. By the time Harry has brushed away Mrs Williams so he can answer the door, the postman (Geoffrey Hibbert) is trying round the back door. Harry opens the front, noone there. After a few more door openings, Harry persuades the postman to join in Happy Birthday. Mrs Williams bursts into tears. But it's not her birthday.
Yes, Harry has got it wrong again. He returns the slippers to Simpsons asking them to exchange them for aunty's size, it's her birthday. Wilson, an eager assistant (Edwin Apps), finds Harry trying on some Wellingtons, but Harry explains he's only here for slippers. Kindly Wilson measures his size, eight and a half. But there's no sale, he had made an assumption.
Then another confusion at aunty's. She's out so Harry climbs in via a window. Our old friend the postman delivers the mail and again they sing Happy Birthday when they hear her coming in. But it turns out only to be a policeman (Ivor Salter). Harry is able to prove who he is all right, but the constable knows for a fact that aunty happens to be away in Bognor Regis. And bad news, he is sure it's not her birthday.
Back at Simpson's there's another exchange of slippers. All join in Happy Birthday- to Harry
To Harry Worth Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Overdraft

Wilkins is the replacement bank clerk, for Mr Penrose has been called up for jury service. Enthusiastically Wilkins greets his first customer, Harry Worth. Soon it's apparent why Penrose is glad to have gone.
Harry produces an assortment of tins. He has to deposit three pounds ten shillings. So far so good. Then he wants to withdraw three pounds ten shillings. Wilkins is mystified. It's to pay his housekeeping bills. Wilkins quickly passes Harry on to Mr Osborne the manager, who deals with his worst customer with all the patience gleaned from years of this sort of thing. "It's easy to see why they made you the manager."
But there's bad news. Harry's account is in debt to the tune of ten bob. The manager cites the quotation from Mr Micawber. Harry promptly writes a cheque for ten shillings. That cannot be acceptable, so Harry has got to find the cash.
The chance to save money at his local supermarket! You get sixpence with each toothbrush, so twenty toothbrushes will net him the money. Elsie the cashier (Gwendolyn Watts) explains he has to pay for the goods first. She fetches the manager Mr Carter who produces other special offers for Harry. "I've saved over seven shillings already," beams Harry. But he gets a rude awakening when the time comes to settle up with Elsie...
Back home the coal merchant (Michael Balfour) is refusing to offer Harry any similar special bargains. Eighteen shillings and eightpence is the cost of the coal, "would you accept three packets of cornflakes?" tries Harry. It's because he has no money, "Mr Carter's been helping me to economise." Others want their payments due also, insurance agent Peter (Joe Gladwin) as well as the window cleaner.
To get the cash Harry returns to his bank, where Mr Penrose is back, though Harry has spread the word round that he's been in the dock. So Harry's glad Mr Penrose "got off."
Patiently Mr Osborne deals with the request. What security can Harry offer? Only his watch, and that's not good enough. So after admonishing him, Harry tries kind Mr Carter who generously takes back some of the groceries Harry had purchased. "There are still a few of us gentlemen left," Harry tells him.
Now Harry can pay all his bills, though that overdraft with Mr Osborne he pays off in Christmas puddings

To Harry Worth Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Last Train
Sad to admit, this is one of the poorer stories by Harry Worth.

Highlane Junction, steam loco 42352 puffs in. "Merry Christmas," greets the alighting Harry, this being in the days when trains ran on Christmas Day.
Porters Tommy (Reginald Marsh) and Wilf (Harold Goodwin) can't wait to get home, but like Harry, they'll have to wait, for the Woodbridge train will be 45 minutes late. In the porters' room, Harry attempts unsuccessfully to cheer up Tommy (and us).
Harry is dispatched to the waiting room, empty until a policeman (Tony Melody) pops in. He kindly lends Harry 6d to get a packet of aspirin from a vending machine. Somehow "the lunatic" soaks poor Tommy.
Next caller at the waiting room is a sailor whose kit bag Harry had accidentally taken off that train, he gets quite excited when he loses it a second time.
To warm up the waiting room, Harry borrows some coal from the tender of the steam engine, but the policeman catches him and reports him to Mr Carter, the stationmaster. In a spot, Harry calls Mr Robinson his solicitor, who's none to happy being awoken, as he is unwell. After hearing the sorry tale, he prudently advises the railway staff put Harry on the next train home.
Another kit bag Harry finds, the same one actually, and he hands it in to Tommy. The angry sailor missing his bag yet again, finally confronts Harry, "I'm sure I've seen you before somewhere." He has, but before he can ask more awkward questions, luckily in puffs the Woodbridge train.
Final scene, the station about to close for the night, but no... in walk Harry and the sailor- in their hurry they'd stupidly caught the wrong train

Harry Worth Menu

.

.

.

.

.

To Be Called For

All is quiet at the railway left luggage office. Bert (Bryan Pringle) is happy chucking parcels around until, "I'm here to find out what I've come for." Thus Harry Worth, about his Great Uncle Gilbert who has bequeathed Harry something, he's not sure what. He knows it is called Penelope. A pet maybe? The patient clerk attempts to locate Harry's consignment, but it's a bit hard as "we don't know what we're looking for." "A new experience," Harry is, decides Bert at last, as he brings in an enormous crate. "It's a camel." Yet it is not breathing, maybe it's stuffed.
She turns out to be a veteran car, HS25. Can Harry drive it? Switch it on.... "Shall we try priming her with methylated spirits?"
No luck, so Harry is pushed out of the office and pushed downhill. It is just bad luck that at the bottom of the hill is an AA Centre, bad luck for patrolman Simpson. Harry seeks advice. But is he a member? Patiently the benefits are outlined. "Are you sure you want to join the AA sir?" the embattled Simpson questions at last, the RAC is a good alternative. But he does admire the 1904 car, "goes back a bit." Quips Harry, "it doesn't go forward very well." This is a pleasing scene between Harry and Edwin Apps, which gets even better after Harry leaves with thanks, a new member. His first task is to phone for the AA's help from an adjacent call box. Simpson is a little puzzled as to why his colleague on the spot hasn't seen to Harry's vehicle. I could call him to the phone, Harry offers fatally.
So Harry is back at the AA centre to ask Simpson to talk with his colleague. A lovely moment, as Harry holds the line in the AA centre while Simpson goes to the nearby phone. When he reaches there, Harry tells him down the phone, "I am not who you think I am."
The matter somehow resolved, Penelope is filled with a gallon of petrol and off Harry happily drives, to get muddled up in the Veteran London to Brighton Rally. Some nice musical hints of Genevieve add to the pleasure.
Then Harry drives into the rear of a delivery van. A Railway delivery van.
"I've spent all morning trying to get rid of this," cries poor Bert. But what can he do? What can Harry do? He phones poor Simpson of course

Harry Worth Menu

.

.

.

.

.

2.2 "What Ails You?"
Irascible Mr Varley (Norman Bird) receives a green new hospital visitor, one Harry Worth. "Cheering people up," is this do-gooder's aim, though asking whether Mr Varley has "written home to mummy," is not the most successful ice-breaker. It is indeed Harry's first day visiting, and his question "are you really as ill as you look?" is not exactly comforting.
A doctor explains Varley has an allergy, "will he have to have it out?" queries Harry.
As it might be like hay fever the doctor orders an old geranium to be removed, "be dead in a couple of days," he observes to the nurse. Harry overhears and of course misinterprets. "Have you made your will out?" Harry next asks poor Mr Varley, "any last requests?" plus other poignant comments.
Mr Varley's last remark is, "I don't want any flowers."
An odd interlude, presumably to fill up the time, is Harry's next short visit, to Mr Russell who is completing a jigsaw. With Harry on hand, it is soon in ruins.
Next day Harry is back, but as a patient. He has caught Varley's allergy. Varley himself is preparing to be discharged, so when Harry is wheeled into the ward, the bed is empty. Harry fears the worst. "Soon be over," the doctor soothes him, but Harry finds it anything but. He phones his neighbour to let her know he's going away "indefinitely." Plenty of nicely executed semi-black humour as Harry is asked, any forwarding address. "One of two places."
Then amazingly Varley comes back to the ward. "Have you been and come back?" asks an incredulous Harry. Finally the doctor explains the mix-up and Harry can now see the funny side. There's a nice finish as the relieved Harry tells Mr Varley he had just sent Mrs Varley his condolences
To Harry Worth Menu

.

.

.

.

.

A Policeman's Lot

Harry's old Ford parks in an illegal place in Waltho Street. Harry dons his lollipop man's uniform.
Later he is round at the police station thinking the note from the police has something to do with his application to become a mobile policeman. Patiently the duty sergeant (Anthony Sagar) deals with the problem, but frustrated, he calls in the constable who had issued Harry's parking ticket. His licence being in his car, Harry has to go to retrieve it, only to see his car being driven away by a policeman. Can we hush it up, queries the kindly Harry.
Inspector Wallace (Frank Thornton, a fine foil) is advertising for traffic wardens. Mistakenly, very mistakenly, he thinks Harry wants to be one. There's a highly confused exchange as the inspector concedes, "I find your enthusiasm for police work very touching." But the two's idea of what the job entails is rather at variance. Asks the eager Harry, "if we do go through the traffic lights at red....?" Finally the inspector understands. "It's a wonder we didn't get confused," says Harry. "One of us did," retorts poor Inspector Wallace solidly. So would Harry like to become a warden?
Day One, and the sergeant briefs his raw recruits. A sketch map of the district is examined in detail, before Harry comes up with a rather more basic question, which way is North? Then there's a demonstration of how to book an illegal parker, the sergeant taking on the role of an offended driver, "you have stuck a ticket on my car," he cries. He is so aggressive Harry proposes that he tears the ticket up.
In Waltho Street a VIP car parks, though what we expect to happen doesn't. Only a satiricial moment from Frank Thornton to show it must be Harold Wilson. Harry's own car is again booked by a zealous colleague, what time Harry is helping a young lady park her car... in the area reserved for the VIP. Then he books Inspector Wallace's vehicle. An infuriated inspector is placated by his sergeant, who then tries to get Harry to voluntarily destroy the ticket. But Harry is never up to such subtleties.
Harry has only issued one other ticket on his first day. "It's mine!" shrieks the sergeant.

I am only sorry that my description of this episode can't really convey anything of Harry's understated performance, for me, one of his finest programmes

To Harry Worth Menu

.

.

.

.

.

3.5 "James Bond, Where Are You?" (1968) -
Harry is absorbed in a library, working out his family tree. But it's now 5pm on Friday night, time to close. But Harry gets deep into a relevant book on Wellington, and the librarian assumes he has left. Harry is now locked in.
Through the window is his only way of escape, but he is two floors up. A library ladder however proves useful in crawling to an adjacent building which has a conveniently open window.
The room Harry enters is also locked. But at least here's a phone. The police are requested to rescue him, but where exactly is he? The phone number yields the necessary information- he is in a foreign embassy. Since this building has diplomatic immunity, Harry can't be got out. But at least Harry is given the phone number of the ambassador.
Alexis Kurov, second secretary answers. "I don't understand." The third secretary is despatched, bursting in to Harry's room to search the intruder. "Are you working for the British government?" is the question. They have a little chat, a little search of Harry's briefcase ("is it ticking?") and a long explanation about Harry's family tree. Yes, Harry is "at the head of all this." A spy ring deduces second secretary Kurov. "Who is your superior in British Intelligence?" Harry can only respond with "practically everybody!"
Is Harry going to crack under interrogation? Or is his interrogator?
A clandestine meeting with Baker of MI5- in the library on Monday morning. A swap is offered for the British agent. But Baker reveals who Harry really is.
A broken man, Kurov is offered sympathy by Harry. "They will shoot you," he has to concede. To help, he escapes, climbing back across the ladder, to a welcome hand from Baker
To Harry Worth Menu

.

.

.

.

.

4.5 "Just The Job" (1969)
Typical Harry Worth chaos, as Harry undertakes a task for which his peculiar talents are singularly unsuitable.
"Placid as baked custard," is Mr Benson, an employee at the Labour Exchange, though we know that by the end, he and his contented colleagues will be in turmoil, for in walks Harry.
He's only wandered in looking for Social Security who have written to him about his unpaid stamps. Brusque Mr Nutter (Victor Maddern) attempts to understand Harry's problem. He decides not unreasonably that Harry must be looking for a job, and so sets about his onerous task. A form to complete, about Harry's fitness for work. Last job? An astronaut, states Harry. Nutter looks rather baffled. But Harry had only been selling Lunar Washing Powder. "So you're a salesman?" asks Nutter, grasping it at last. Harry disarms him, "I would have been, had I sold any." Other jobs? Snow shifting. But Harry is able to state with confidence, "I'm very good with people." "An exasperated Nutter breathes, "you're not doing so bright with me." So are there any jobs at all that Harry feels he could do? "Yours," is the response.
And funnily enough that comes true, for Mr Nutter is off to lunch and the Exchange is very short staffed. So the desperate boss Mr Winters offers Harry a probationary job. Kind Mr Coles puts Harry through the ropes. There's Form A and Form B. Straightforward enough, but then Mr Coles tries a simulation exercise with Harry, which gets him rather confused. or rather, gets them both confused. "You know I'm not really a builder..." Coles patiently tries to explain how Harry should be friendly and informal to win the client's confidence. But not so friendly that he jokes with him about his income, as Harry attempts to do.
Beaten Mr Coles hands Harry into Benson's hands, and because Nutter has been sacked after strenuously objecting to Harry's appointment, Harry is straight in at the front line. A personnel manager (Jan Holden) requires someone for her complaints department, someone with tact and diplomacy. Pay starts at £1,100 with increments. Harry doesn't understand this last word, so consults Benson. The best scene follows, as boss Mr Winters misunderstands Harry's query and thinks Harry is wanting a rise already.
Harry is in the front office when in walks Mr Nutter, he's unemployed now. Harry asks the obvious question, "what was your regular job?" An angry Nutter bursts as he's asked, "why did you leave?" But Harry knows just the job for such a man of tact, that personnel manager. "You must be joking!"
"The ultimate deterrent" is fired, and sadly Harry rejoins the dole queue. Of course his first task is to seek new employment, so he goes to consult with reinstated Mr Nutter...
To Harry Worth Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

"Anyone for Golf?"

Richard Wattis was the ideal comedy foil. Here he plays longsuffering Charles who lives on the edge of a golf course. Very nice, except he's tired of golf balls flying into his garden. And a lovely garden it is too.
It's Charles' misfortune that Harry is the next golfer coming in search of his ball. Vera (Georgina Cookson) tries to calm husband Charles down as Harry gets him more and more worked up, "mind my polyanthers."
Pointing out the greenfly does not endear Harry to Charles either. There's the ball, in the middle of some flowers. "I will use a nine iron." But Charles refuses to allow his hydrangeas to be decapitated.
Over a cup of soothing tea, Harry phones the golf captain for advice. Vera and Charles fall out. She's a keen golfer, once engaged to a pro, and insists Harry plays his shot.
It was a nice garden. "I went beserk," apologises Harry. "I'm out of your hydrangeas," yes that's the good news, however, "I'm now in your chrysanthemums."
More telephone advice needed as he has now taken 37 strokes. More vain attempts, more decapitation until Charles calls in the police.
A sergeant (Reginald Marsh) appears with his constable, who however is felled by a shot from our golfer. Patiently the sergeant listens to Harry's explanations, his patience wearing thin, until the situation is grasped.
Vera and Harry have falled out over Harry and she's threatening to go home to mother. Back to phone advice. "I'm up against a fence." Wonderful news, which might have been imparted earlier, that as he's out of bounds, Harry can take a drop.
"No hard feelings," Harry offers Charles as he leaves. On the course Harry plays, and his ball shoots into the garden. Poor Charles goes wild and knocks down the flowers that are still standing. Indeed it is no longer a lovely garden

To Harry Worth Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

I Will, I Will

A domestic argument between David (Tim Barrett) and Sheila (Dilys Laye) is interrupted by Harry. He's come to ask David if he could be Harry's best man.
Like us, David wants to know more about Harry's intended. She's his pen pal, he's not met her yet, never even seen her photo, though she has Harry's picture. David looks amazed. Francoise (Alexandra Bastedo) is coming today from Paris by train.
So Harry waits for her in the waiting room at Victoria. There's a nice moment as he asks a young lady if she is called Francoise. A cold no, then a fat lady enters and sits down. Harry is beating a retreat when a lovely girl enters, recognises Harry and kisses him, "you are my 'arry." Apparently she's fallen in love with him through his letters.
After a confusing exchange over the meaning of The Best Man, David is introduced to her. She's to stay with David and Sheila. David looks mighty pleased about that. He kisses her. Harry interrupts, "I've not done that yet."
"The absolute cracker" is shown to her room, just before the parson calls. In her nightgown, Francoise comes downstairs to talk to him, and he is naturally a little taken aback, "she has agreed to marry you?" he asks in a puzzled voice.
Next day, David is preening himself. He has found out the truth, that really Francoise has come to Harry on the rebound. A lot more could have been made of the situation, instead the writer opts for a new character, her ex-fiance The Count (Alex Davion) who arrives on the doorstep challenging Harry to a duel, at dawn on the "'eath of 'ampstead."
Choose Your Weapons. Pistols. But these old fashioned proceedings are interrupted by a taxi, out of which steps Francoise. She admires Harry's great bravery, but it's The Count she must marry. Harry insists on being The Best Man, leading to more misunderstanding.
This could have descended into the pathetic, but the story is never that, only a pity it's not very funny and hasn't even got a happy ending

To Harry Worth Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Whacko!
with Jimmy Edwards who surely had his finest hour as the incompetent headmaster ("le loi, c'est moi"), and Arthur Howard who was a perfect balance as his deputy Pettigrew, dim to the ways of the world, but absolutely honest. 47 programmes were made between 1956 and 1960, with a revival late in 1971 with 11 new stories.

For outline details of the eight tv series plus some cast lists.

Reviews of the only recently viewed stories:

3.5 (21st October 1958)- Lumley's dad insists he achieves something at school so the "Sword of Damocockles" is hanging over Jim. He devises a scheme- ballroom dancing lessons with St Mildred's School, Petters in charge. However it needs all Jim's authority to make Lumley dance with Deirdre. It's love! To impress her he takes up boxing, and even some maths, "every one correct!" Now he's engaged, he refuses to take part in the boxing finals, which Jim has fixed, so his opponent Figgins wins, but by a stroke of luck Lumley's dad is satisfied
Series ?- Oliver Pettigrew wins £38,000 on the pools. Jim knows how to "begone dull care" even if Petters regards it as a "hardship." A reluctant Pettigrew is exposed to "a right catalogue of debauchery" and "one sample of the fleshpots" at the glossy Ritz Carlton changes him: "this is the life!"
Colour series 8- * A mystifying illness ("nothing trivial I hope!") has laid the Lower Third low. It's related to Jim's edict that the school have to wear Etons. When 362 Etons are stolen during the night by "The Eton Suit Mob," Jim can retaliate by nicking all the pupils' grey flannels. But then next night the staff too find their clothing has disappeared, and today's the day for the visit of 200 refined ladies! Jim's masterstroke nearly wins the day: "c'est moi qui a gagne"

Jimmy Edwards: The Seven Faces of Jim.

Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

Whack-O!
Scripts: Frank Muir and Dennis Norden. Producer: Douglas Moodie.
Incidental music composed and conducted by Alan Yates.

If you can assist with any other cast lists, please email me. Your help will be much appreciated- and acknowledged

Series One. Broadcast fortnightly between the 4th October and 13th December 1956 at 8pm. The first series consisted of 6 half hour shows. There was also a special short broadcast as part of These Are The Shows on Saturday 28th September 1957 at 8pm.
1.3 November 1st 1956
Cast: Jimmy Edwards (Headmaster), Arthur Howard (Mr Pettigrew), Kenneth Cope (Mr Price Whittaker, English Literature), John Garside (Mr Dinwiddie, Latin and Greek), Arthur Bush (Mr Hackett, Higher Mathematics), Tony Sympson (Mr Spelthorne, Lower Mathematics), Norman Bird (Mr Smallpiece, Geography), Victor Baring (M Aristide Beaumarie, Modern Languages), Barbara Archer (Matron).

Series Two. The second series contained 10 half hour shows broadcast weekly, generally of a Tuesday evening at 7.30pm between the 1st October and 3rd December 1957. Elizabeth (Liz) Fraser joined the cast as the blonde matron.

Series Three. A further 7 episodes broadcast between the 23rd September and 4th November 1958 of a Tuesday evening at 7.30pm. There was also a short special on Christmas Night With the Stars broadcast on Christmas Day 1958 at 6.25pm.

Series Four. Series four was broadcast a year later between 12th May and 16th June 1959 of a Tuesday evening at 7.30pm and consisted of 6 episodes.
4.1 May 12th 1959 (rpt June 21st 1959)
Cast: Jimmy Edwards (Headmaster), Arthur Howard (Mr Pettigrew), Edwin Apps (Mr Halliforth), Christopher Hodge (Mr Snaith), William E Raynor (Mr Posford), John Forbes Robertson (Mr Tuppington), Maurice Hedley (Mr Ramsay), Robert O'Leary (Phipps), Jimmy Ray (Crombie), Derek Needs (Phillpott), Anthony Wilson (Hotchkiss), Geoffrey Paget (Rawlinson), Jon Skinner (Harper), Alexis Chesnakov (Mr Bulenkov), Michael Kilgariff/ Max Latimer (Security escorts), Patrick Connor (Taxi driver).
4.2 May 19th 1959 (rpt June 28th 1959)
Cast: Jimmy Edwards (Headmaster), Arthur Howard (Mr Pettigrew), Edwin Apps (Mr Halliforth), John Forbes Robertson (Mr Tuppington), Frank Raymond (Mr Cope-Willoughby), Robert O'Leary (Phipps), Jimmy Ray (Crombie), Derek Needs (Phillpott), Gerald Case (Major prosser), Mary Hignett (Mrs Mortlake), Michael Brennan (Mr Gumbril), Nan Braunton (Miss Smallpiece), John G Heller (Mr Tichbourne), George Woodbridge (Farmer), Henry Longhurst (Vicar)
4.3 May 26th 1959 (rpt July 5th 1959)
"When Jim is pressed to settle an outstanding account of £104 8/- for scholastic supplies, he hits on an idea for raising money, which is well up to his usual standard. For is it not about time that Chiselbury had a memorial to its greatest old boy, Samuel Ogilvie Upjohn, "the boy who never was"?
Cast: Jimmy Edwards (Headmaster), Arthur Howard (Mr Pettigrew), Edwin Apps (Mr Halliforth), Christopher Hodge (Mr Snaith), Frank Raymond (Mr Cope-Willoughby), Robert O'Leary (Phipps), Jimmy Ray (Crombie), Derek Needs (Phillpott), Mary Hignett (Mrs Mortlake), Austin Trevor (Brigadier Taplow), Arnold Diamond (Mr Osborne), Michael Ward (Mr Harris)

Series Five. Another 6 episodes formed series five and were broadcast from the 10th November to the 15th December 1959 of a Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm. There was also a short special, Christmas Night With the Stars, broadcast on Christmas Day 1959 at 6.20pm.
5.2 November 17th 1959 (rpt January 18th 1960)
Cast: Jimmy Edwards (Headmaster), Arthur Howard (Mr Pettigrew), Edwin Apps (Mr Halliforth), Gordon Phillott (Mr Dinwiddie), Jimmy Ray (Crombie), Paul Norman (Potter), Kynaston Reeves (Magistrate), Philip Howard (Usher), Donald Bisset (Dr Garland).

Series Six. The sixth series was another 6 episodes broadcast between the 13th May and 17th June 1960, and went out mostly on a Friday at 8.30pm.
Series 6 was definitely telerecorded, as it was repeated during that summer.
6.1 (May 13th 1960)
with Jimmy Edwards and Arthur Howard. Also: Edwin Apps (Mr Halliforth), Gordon Phillott (Mr Dinwiddie), Brian Rawlinson (Mr Proctor), Frank Raymond (Mr Cope-Willoughby), Stephen Portch (Hoyle), Geoffrey Paget (Rawlinson), Richard Dean (Parker), Michael Des Barres (Floyd), Fabia Drake (Mrs Cheviot), Ian Fleming (Doctor Ross), Andrikos Adonis (Moussaka).
6.2 (May 20th 1960)
6.3 (May 27th 1960)
with Jimmy Edwards and Arthur Howard. Also: Edwin Apps (Mr Halliforth), Gordon Phillott (Mr Dinwiddie), Brian Rawlinson (Mr Proctor), Frank Raymond (Mr Cope-Willoughby), Stephen Portch (Hoyle), Geoffrey Paget (Rawlinson), Howard Marion-Crawford (Sir Gerald Turnbull), Arnold Bell (Mr Foster).
6.4 (June 3rd 1960)
with Jimmy Edwards and Arthur Howard. Also: Edwin Apps (Mr Halliforth), Gordon Phillott (Mr Dinwiddie), Brian Rawlinson (Mr Proctor), Frank Raymond (Mr Cope-Willoughby), Billy Thatcher (Mr Drew), Stephen Portch (Hoyle), Geoffrey Paget (Rawlinson), Richard Dean (Parker), Mary Merrall (Lady Westbury), Stanley van Beers (Sam Tozer).
6.5 (June 10th 1960)
with Jimmy Edwards and Arthur Howard. Also: Edwin Apps (Mr Halliforth), Gordon Phillott (Mr Dinwiddie), Brian Rawlinson (Mr Proctor), Frank Raymond (Mr Cope-Willoughby), David Langford (Fuller), Norman Pierce (Police Inspector).
6.6 (June 17th 1960)
with Jimmy Edwards, Arthur Howard and special guest Max Bygraves. Also: Edwin Apps (Mr Halliforth), Frank Raymond (Mr Cope-Willoughby), Barry Took (Barry Hayman), Oliver Johnston (Mr Grubb), Olwen Brookes (Secretary).

Series Seven. The last in the main run of series, there were 6 episodes broadcast between 22nd November and 27th December 1960 of a Tuesday evening at 7.30pm.

Series eight. Series eight was a revival of the show some 11 years after the main run and contained 13 colour episodes. Broadcast between 27th November 1971 and 26th February 1972 on BBC1 on Saturdays at 5.05pm.

Whacko! Menu

.

.

.

.


Seven Faces of Jim (1961)
2. The Face of Duty- Nice affectionate tribute to the RAF war films, only this is at Jimicabs. Skipper Jim needs drivers “with guts,” not like his newest recruit, his own son (Richard Briers). Yet, in dense fog, the “weakling” proves his mettle by driving Ernest Marples to his destination, and returning to base, badly guided by dad
3 The Face of Genius - the best of the bunch. A brilliant scientist, Jim that is, has to communicate with The Thing from outer space. The spores from it change Jim's wife (Prunella Scales) into a man (Dick Emery). This is a quite surreal bit of fun, as the couple ponder divorce, whilst a colonel (Paul Eddington) transforms into "a ruddy girl" (June Whitfield)- "one minute you're an officer and a gentleman, the next minute you're an officer and a bint!" "The mind boggles" as famous names change sex, Judith Chalmers reading the news is now Ronnie Barker....
4 The Face of Power - 1840, in't northern town where dad's being sacked from his own shop, and by James, his own son too. He's an ambitious lad, and marries t'uppercrust Letty (June Whitfield), even though dad warns "money and power are not the be-all and end-all." 'Tis only when rich James' gas mantle empire collapses that that truth cums home
5 The Face of Dedication - "From the 50 Most Hackney Plots in Fiction, Jim portrays a humble old-fashioned country doctor." His secret past as Jim Smith No3780246 leads to his being blackmailed by Sidney Figgins (Ronnie Barker). As the "blaggard" romances Jim's innocent daughter Pru (June Whitfield), Jim plans his suicide, only for Sidney to be run over by a sewage lorry. The gallant Jim has to operate to save the villain's life
6 The Face of Enthusiasm - Agent Jimmy Rolfe loses his only artistes, rock star Ricky Groyne (Richard Briers) and Maudie Glover (Amanda Barrie), the Musical Nude. He tries to promote a teashop band to become "the big thing," and a record by the Julia Burke-Adams Tea-Time Three is a hit on Juke Box Jury. Fame for a few days for Julia (June Whitfield) afore Jim's dim secretary Norman (Melvyn Hayes) is acclaimed the next wonder, with his barrel organ
7 The Face of Guilt - Shivering Rock Lighthouse has but two inhabitants, Jim, here as Caleb, and Richard Briers. "Time crawls" here, until the ghost of Inigo haunts them and Inigo's wife forces Caleb to explain how Inigo disappeared one Christmas....
More Faces of Jim (1962)
Fatherhood - with Ronnie Barker, Brian Oulton
Jimmy Edwards Menu
Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

Meet the Wife
starring Thora Hird and Freddie Frinton

I must confess to being completely baffled
a) by what anyone found funny in this series, and
b) why the pilot could possibly have been selected for a whole series, and then even retained for several more plodding series.
Clearly I must be missing something, and in Freddie Frinton, there was a natural as a comedy actor if ever there was one. Then there were the scriptwriters, Ronald Chesney and Ronald Wolfe, both produced some excellent series, though it only goes to prove that the sum of the parts is always less than the whole, and the hole here was the reliance on corny situations, and (in my view) a star actress who was never very funny. Indeed in this series she is positively and literally, a nag.
Celebrated pianist Russ Conway composed the forgettable theme tune.

Comedy Playhouse Pilot: The Bed (1963)
1.3 The Back (1964)
1.6 The Business Dinner
1.7 The Strain
4.5 The Merry Widow (1965)
4.6 Journey Home
5.7 Old Time Dancing (1966)

Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

1.3 The Back
In his pyjamas, Freddie has prepared breakfast in bed, " a lovely surprise" since Thora has a bad back. But the toast seems to be soggy, there's no serviette, Thora has a thousand and one moans, the comedy lies in watching Freddie leap in and out of bed to meet Thora's every whim. Milk in the bottle, that's one complaint, another is his using half a pound of butter to cook the sausages. You can't blame Freddie's exasperation, "I wish I'd never have bothered," he sighs.
Settled together in bed with their meal at last, "that is what they call living!" A lovely rest on a Sunday morn, only to for another interruption, the door bell. The paper boy.
Snuggled back in bed, the height of the humour is their wardrobe door which keeps opening of its own accord. After the newspaper is read, and a few reminiscences, the milkman rings. He's got to be paid.
That sorted, Freddie returns to bed, but Thora isn't quite happy. Not at all, for the milkman has overcharged. The downtrodden husband is sent to question the milkman, but in getting out of bed upsets the breakfast tray.
Freddie isn't up to arguing with the milkman, so downstairs comes Thora, she gets the bill worked out correctly. "That's what I paid in the first place," groans Freddie.
But now Thora has a new reason to grouse. Look at the mess Freddie has left in the kitchen. After a tidy up, in helping prepare the Sunday dinner Freddie creates more mess, "it just happened." Fed up, he makes for the pub, but by 2.30 he's not returned home. Thora starts to worry when Harry tells her Freddie had left the pub about one o'clock. Harry drives round in his car to look for Freddie, but the prodigal returns. He had had a long walk to get to the chemist to buy pills for Thora's back. They enjoy a happy late dinner together
Meet the Wife Menu

.

.

.

.

.

1.6 The Business Dinner (May 26th 1964)
The house is being made shipshape for visitors Frank (Michael Brennan) and his wife Mabel, an ex girl friend of Freddie's. He is a master builder and Thora is hoping this will provide the chance to obtain some extra work for her husband.
As per usual Thora is fussing and complaining about Freddie nibbling the nuts and sipping the sherry. There's a stain on the tablecloth too. The guests arrive, firstly a sherry, plus the remainder of the nuts, as Freddie admires Mabel's fur, to his wife's annoyance. As Thora and Freddie retreat to the kitchen to bring in the first course, Mabel is run down, by Thora of course, while over the food, she pushes Freddie's claims for doing the plumbing on Frank's new housing estate. It's scampi at nine shillings a pound, it has to be mixed with fish fingers, but Freddie is delayed trying to open the champagne. No corkscrew, so try a hand drill. When it is served, some cork lands in Mabel's glass.
"We used to go round a lot in the old days," reminisces Mabel now that she's had a few. Then back in the kitchen Thora scolds that "right old fool" of her husband. The fool drops one of the dishes which are being washed in readiness for the next course, so as there are no spares, Freddie has to do without. He has to watch as the rest eat, but back behind the scenes he can stuff himself.
Fresh strawberries and cream for the dessert, but Ken from next door pops in, saying he knows Frank is about to go bankrupt. "he's got a very shifty face," decides Thora and puts the food back in the fridge. As the evening ends, Mabel kisses Freddie goodnight. That nearly starts Thora off, but they finish happily guzzling those strawberries.
A well worn storyline, trying to impress the nouveau riche, and only full of cliches almost anyone could have written
Meet the Wife Menu

.

.

.

.

.

1.7 The Strain
Plumber's mate Sid (Brian Rawlinson) is helping Freddie load the van, but he's a lazy so-and-so, as Thora points out, while she's busy washing curtains. I could do with a maid she advises her husband.
Unexpectedly early, Freddie returns from work, accompanied by Mr Cartwright (Geoffrey Hibbert). His arm in a sling, it's "a little strain," plus a bump on the head, on which Thora deposits a lump of butter. As she does so she talks about Your Life in their Hands, a brain operation she had watched. "I don't feel very well," Freddie suddenly decides. As she moans about his socks, she takes his temperature, which is 103.7.
The doctor is coming, more trouble getting things tidy. Freddie even has to try and shave, with one hand. Not so easy, so Thora does it for him, though it looks uncomfortable, for Thora that is. The hot iron removes creases on the bed linen and her blouse, Freddie helps by piling the dirty washing under the bed.
You've pulled a muscle, diagnoses the doctor, but that doesn't account for his high temperature. Ah, it wasn't taken correctly. While the doctor examines Freddie's top half, down below, Thora tries to remove those holey socks. Smoke starts billowing from under the bed, Freddie should have switched that iron off. Now the doctor can see all that dirty linen. Rather like an expert magician, the doctor pulls out from underneath all sorts of things.
Once the doctor has left, Freddie gets a right ticking off. Luckily that is interrupted by Sid who tells the real story of Freddie's accident. It seems Freddie had only been thinking of Thora, so all is forgiven

Meet the Wife Menu

.

.

.

.

.


4.5 The Merry Widow
Freddie "don't feel too well" until the flighty Blossom (Avis Bunnage) ...er... nurses him in the wife's absence. Returning, Thora jumps to the wrong conclusions before the vicar (Arthur Howard) comes to sort it out- "blow the ruddy vicar!"

Meet the Wife Menu

.

.

.

.

.


4.6 Journey Home
Boxing Day, and Freddie and Thora travel home by rail, in the days when trains ran over the festive season. The ancient art of Keeping a Free Compartment and the intricacies of the old-style railway timetable are two of their innocuous pastimes before they become stranded at a remote junction

Meet the Wife Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

5.7 Old Time Dancing
Thora is practising her steps, Freddie joins her for the veleta. Although it means missing a darts march, Freddie is persuaded to fill a vacant place in a team dancing contest.
They are introduced to their instructress (the splendid Fabia Drake), with whom Thora adopts a posh voice. All agree that Freddie has no poise, even Freddie himself, "everything's dropped from the chin down." Extra practice is required, and they perform the military two step. "My feet never hurt like this playing darts," complains Freddie, as they continue the work at home, trying out the veleta.
Next scene is in the dressing room, with Freddie explaining to Thora the difference between water and gas, "you don't pour gas down the plughole." Having got this irrelevant joke out of the way, our dancers are now ready to go on the floor, though Freddie's trousers are certainly too long, and he has somehow bought odd shoes, both left ones too, "you always said I had two left feet!"
BBC stalwart Peter West comperes proceedings. The veleta gives Freddie plenty of opportunity for visual grace, but no clowning. After a drink, there's a more lively dance, the military two step, but oh no, "me cufflink's caught in your charm bracelet." Thora is distraught at letting the team down, it's all Freddie's fault. After a wide ranging slanging match going back as far as the birth of their first child, Peter West offers some words of consolation. "Why can't you be like Peter West?" complains Thora, "he's always so well dressed." But all's well when the results are given out, for Thora wins the prize for the Most Original Dress. However they haven't qualified for the next round of the competition which is to be on the telly.
But at the last minute Peter West phones, Freddie is wanted. But Thora's momentary hopes are dashed, he's required in his capacity as a plumber to mend a burst pipe
Meet the Wife Menu

.

.

.

.

.


 Lance Percival Show
1966 BBC series

with guest Jon Pertwee

Easter 1966,
with guest Millicent Martin

With guest star Dick Emery

Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

with guest Dick Emery
Opening filmed sequence with LP in his Rolls, then he sings a calypso If I Had the Wings Like a Dove. In Radio Rave Elaine Taylor is a DJ interviewing Michael Rothwell, a scruffy pop star named Ernie. LP is a guardsman talking to camera about how tv should be run along military lines. A smoking advert has the altered tagline, "more and more guards are changing to Civilians." The CO (LP again) talks about Sex and the Single Soldier, with an utterly incomprehensible punchline.
Elaine Taylor sings Baubles and Bangles.
LP as the vicar chats to the news vendor, at half speed as it were, they discuss eels swarming, just like the congregation, and his image as an Anglican Bing Crosby etc.
LP and Elaine are watching telly, that leads on to filmed interviews on what to do without it. In Television Centre, a posh BBC executive (LP) shows us how a programme is put together, allegedly.
In Great Acting, an aged Dick Emery gives a monologue about his art, including a mini silent film with his ex-wife, his greatest success as a dog in a commercial, that sort of level.
The finale is the song Granada, which takes a few enjoyable swipes at Sidney Bernstein's programmes on the other side. "Monday and Wednesday we get Coronation Street... the beauty of Ena." There's a verse about showing film clips, "plugging new films doesn't cost Sydney a dime." One line I sympathised with was Brian Inglis, "such a bore," less satirical was Criss Cross Quiz, "they pay in pesetas not pounds." Then there's Bernardo (that must be Levin) with What The Papers Say, plus Bamber Gascoigne made to sound like Bing. There sounds like a touch of jealousy somewhere in all this, but it ends happily with, "you get two whole days off every weekend."
This may sound almost like a good programme, but for me was weak and thoroughly disappointing
To the LP menu

.

.

.

.

.

P>.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

with guest Jon Pertwee
Strolling through the audience, LP sings Scandal in De Family.
Backstage scenes from Puss In Boots as The Demon King (LP) argues with his wife Edna over their well worn act, "you're not so young as you were." "I am the last Trump," he declares, and other such drivel, as they don their panto cow costume.
Elaine Taylor sings Funny Girls.
At the Board of Trade, Jon Pertwee does a solo sketch where all the props go wrong. He lectures his public on great British quality goods, an alarm clock that won't stop ringing for example. "I defy you to find anything shoddy," he challenges us, fatal, as he admires a decanter of Scotch whiskey, "looks pretty dashed tempting." Of course he can't open it.
The Vicar and The Newsvendor talk about space and how to make inter planetary communication. They even anticipate problems with the ozone layer, without calling it such. The sort of level is illustrated by this exchange: "we must not covet our neighbour's ox." Reply: "no nor his arss." There's a good finish though as the newsvendor stares into space and tells the vicar, "only a couple more million years before they'll be receiving your epilogues up there."
Problems of Modern Living deals with spaghetti, as LP demonstrates how to eat it. Filmed interviews follow, then LP talks of Scottish spaghetti, the audience seems to laugh, "several bridges have been made from it."
The final song is LP playing his guitar alongside Pertwee, If You Want To be Happy
To the LP menu

.

.

.

.

.

April 8th 1966 (Easter)

Oh dear! A distinguished team of writers produce a dire script. The best sketch is rather inventive however, of a married couple living an ordinary life on the moon. Discussion revolves round interplanetary soccer matches, and speculation whether anyone could actually live on Earth. Jokes on the Earth/Moon theme like that well known song 'Earth Love' and talk of the couple enjoying their 'honeyearth.'
A depressing sketch given to supporting cast Elaine Taylor and Michael Rothwell has a supermarket cashier telling her woes to customers, "I can't take any more." I couldn't either. There is also a mini-sketch at the roulette wheel, with a feeble punchline. LP acts the reverend chatting to a news vendor, with a topical reference to the stolen gold cup. Stocks and shares yield weak laughs before the sketch ends with the rather odd conclusion that the church should be nationalised.
In Problems of Modern Living, Daphne (Millicent Martin) listens suspiciously to Jeremy (LP) and his various excuses as to why there is hair on his jacket. There follow filmed interviews on Hair, awfully corny. Then LP plays a camp wig maker.
The songs start with LP singing Before I Leave This Town, all very jolly and nonsensical. No Strings on Me is Millicent Martin's offering. The final number is How Not to Sing a Calypso, Matilda. How Not To Write a Good Script, ought to have been another title

To the LP menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

TERRY SCOTT
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hugh and I - with Terry Scott and Hugh Lloyd

1.5 Fete Worse Than Death 1:6 It's a Dog's Life 1.7 Putting on the Ritz 1.8 Love Thy Neighbour
2:5 Prison Visitor 2:9 Sink of Iniquity 3:7 Escort Duty 4:4 A Brace of Peasants
Terry Scott had started on BBC tv comedy in 1957 with Scott Free, and by 1962 when this series started, he was almost a veteran. Certainly he had honed his comic persona, and Hugh Lloyd proved an admirable foil for Scott's blustering well-meaning incompetent.
Over 5 years they made 69 episodes, and whilst never a top BBC hit, the programme was cosy, likeable and in many ways epitomised the BBC's skill at producing comedy which really could make you laugh.
In 1968 Scott and Lloyd's new series was Hugh and I Spy, cashing in on the spy craze then in vogue, whilst the next year, now on BBC2, saw their inventive The Gnomes of Dulwich

Terry Scott continued without Hugh Lloyd with these rather awful 'specials'-
Scott on Marriage (1968) - with Terry Scott, June Whitfield and Peter Butterworth
A generally weak script by a Bryan Blackburn leads to a lot of overacting, but the best sketch is reserved for the last, with Terry trying to be a sixties swinger. And the final comments have a ghastly ring of truth:
An ageing June: "I didn't think much of that, did you dear?"
An ancient Terry: "I certainly did not. If that's what marriage is all about, the engagement's off!"
And that's as good as it gets.
Scott on Travel (1971) - with June Whitfield and Frank Thornton
Dave Freeman was now writing the script, not his finest hour. Some of the sketches include The Neurotic Pilot, The Travel Agents - a song duet, The Highwayman with Terry as a cowardly Captain Fearless, A Canal Cruise- a filmed interlude with Terry getting soaked, The Hotel Waiter and a satirical Star Trek a la Scott, a musical! RIP
Menu

.

.

.

.

.

1:5 (1962) A Fete Worse Than Death-
Last year's traditional church fete made a loss of 6s 8d, so Mr Scott proposes a Pageant of English History this year. But where would the costumes come from?
"If you care to come round sometime, "Miss Chauncey suggests, "you can ferret through my trunk!"
After a lot of debate, and ill-feeling, as "we all do what Mr Scott says we should do," the idea is agreed.
Terry plans the project which will include such famous events as The Murdering of the Princesses in the Tower and The Execution of Anne Boleyn. "Who's going to be the narrator?" ask mum needlessly. "Need you ask," replies Hugh. Yes Terry is organising it all.
Hammy retired actors, Mr and Mrs Smythe agree to take the leads- as long as they can adapt Terry's script. Certainly their declamation suggests they are the part. But when they fall ill, Miss Jenks (Joan Hickson) has to step into the breech.... and the "inescapable conclusion is that we're lumbered with Lloyd!" He plays William the Conqueror at rehearsal. "Can't Norma be queen?" pleads Hugh.
"I fancy a piece of England," the Conqueror announces. "I will conquer them .... Monday." "Mon Dieu," corrects Terry. The scene becomes too drawn out and tedious, with other corny lines around the Magna Carta, with Mr Spriggs (Julian Orchard) a far from fierce baron.
Before the big day, an even older chesnut, as the vicar announces the fete from the pulpit, adding "the preacher next Sunday, you will find hanging in the entrance."
The day of the fete, it is pouring with rain. So it's all indoors for bingo!
Hugh and I Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

1:6 It's a Dog's Life
Mum is happily singing- "I didn't know I was." Hugh is chewing apples so noisily that Terry can't complete his Times crossword!
Norma pops round to offer them a puppy. Mum and Hugh both agree, but Terry is, of course, set against it- "it's a conspiracy."
So, in secret, Hugh brings home a dog and hides it. His first task is to 'borrow' some food, so at dinner that evening Mr Wormald's liver and bacon is pocketed whilst he's looking the other way. In a well performed scene, when he asks for seconds, Mrs Wormald tells her baffled husband, "I don't think you ought to have any more."
Then up in his bedroom Hugh talks to his new friend Patricia. Which makes Terry in the adjacent room decide "he's delirious... he's going bonkers."
So he calls in the Crispins from next door to deal with him, and with umbrellas at the ready, they try reasoning with poor Hugh.
"Perhaps he's suffering from magnesia," suggests mum. And seeing him chatting, apparently to himself, crouched under his bed, her diagnosis seems confirmed.
But then Hugh notices Patricia isn't there. Where has she gone? The possibility of her being lost sends Hugh wild. But never fear, as Terry calms down and returns to his bed, there's Patricia!
Terry makes Hugh take the dog to the dog's home, but when they emerge, Terry is now the proud owner of two himself
Hugh and I Menu

.

.

.

.

.

1:7 Putting on the Ritz (28/8/1962)
"Oh Terry, you're not thinking of working again?" sighs Mum. Admittedly, "unemployed" Terry is "hard to place" but could American Jefferson Freebody offer him a job? To impress this gent, Terry offers to show him round town.
As Hugh has had a pay rise, and Harold Wormold can loan him a dinner suit, Hugh joins Terry for a night at the Carlton. But before they go Cyril Smith as Wormold demonstrates his old music hall routine, ending with Mrs Wormold's classic line: "'s not getting any better!"
Hugh and I announce themselves at the upper crust hotel: "tradesman's entrance is round the corner!" However Terry's acquaintance with dear Lord Popham (Fred Emney) gets them inside at last.
"Lloyd, would you like an aperitif?"
"Yes, has it got any bones in it?"
Other jokes follow, in similar vein, such as:
Terry, ordering: "a fairly dry Martini."
Hugh: "a fairly wet one." He adds: "have you any tripe and onions?"
Freebody and his wife join them for the meal. Terry introduces "my man" Lloyd, who explains "I was born in captivity."
Lord Popham sits through it all, with an occasional arousal from slumber: "try the shrotted pimps."
To Terry's consternation his guests order caviar and champagne, followed by "more champagne" until, with drink freely flowing, Terry is offered the job.
"Anything troubling you?" queries Hugh when the guests have departed. It's the bill for £47 10/-. So the corny end sees Terry's job as peeling spuds, with Hugh opening oyster shells. Is there something inside this one...?

Hugh and I Menu

.

.

.

.

1.8 Love Thy Neighbour (4/9/1962)

Both Hugh and Terry are hopping around, as they have each lost a slipper. "Perhaps we've been burgled!" But it's only Patricia the dog.
A more serious concern is Crispin's new car. "That pile of junk" has to be parked in front of Terry's house, because of the lines on the road. But really Terry is "eaten up with envy." Says Mrs Crispin:
"We're going down to the coast."
"Brighton?" asks Mrs Scott.
Nothing so common...... Hove!"
Thick smoke from their car drifts in through the Scott's window, and that decides Terry on Action. At 2am he creeps out to the road with Hugh, telling him to paint a line on the road to stop Crispin parking there. "Very pretty," declares the inevitable policeman. "We work for the council," Terry explains lamely.
Next day the magistrate fines each £5. And smoke, whenever that car starts up, is still pouring in through that window. So another scheme- Hugh will buy a car, says Terry, and park it outside the house.
They find a car for sale, owner eccentric Sir Ralph Springer (William Fox), who is selling his ancient Rolls: "a bit big isn't it?!" Terry assures Hugh- "all the better for putting Crispin's bonnet out of joint."
With some difficulty, the car is started, and pours out smoke a la Crispin's car.
Now they are off for a picnic with the Wormolds. The Crispins stand by, rather impressed: "Where are you going? Brighton?"
Quips Terry: "Nothing so common......... Frinton!"
Which one of you is the driver?" asks Wormold, as noone's in the driving seat. They'd overlooked that point!
Hugh and I Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2:5 (1963) Prison Visitor
"Patricia, take daddy into the garden and bury him," shouts an exasperated Terry, at his dog who's happily playing with Hugh. To be truthful, Patricia is rather too frisky for Hugh Lloyd.
For Terry has more important things on his mind. The crime wave for example: "perhaps I can do something in that direction." Being interested in the criminal mind, he decides to "redeem the fallen."
32439 (Kenneth J Warren) is his first victim. He's in for robbery with violence. "Good morning mate!" begins Terry, spitting on the floor. "I don't believe you're a criminal at all." He offers to help when the six year sentence is run. You could say, it's not exactly a successful visit.
Back home, he bemoans the "cardboard characters in phoney situations," that are on telly, when 32439 enters. He "got out unexpectedly." He forces Terry to change clothes. Says mum to her boy: "I do hope you remembered to put on your clean vest and pants!"
Hugh has been at the shops, and when he gets back, Terry tries but fails to get him to phone the police. "Just watch it fatso," warns 32439. After that Hugh calls him fatso too!
Terry recalls that unreal tv show they were watching. Someone had dialled the cops. "What happened then?" asks Hugh. Adds Terry: "the gangster shot him!" But Hugh is still persuaded to make the call, only mum sees him and asks who he's phoning!
Cecil and Griselda barge their way into the hosue, in order to watch Z Cars. "I would have to choose a nuthouse!" sighs the convict.
Hugh has to go to the toilet, and so uses the chance to speak through the window to Mrs Crispin next door. That brings Mr Crispin round complaining of their "sex mad lodger!" Asks Terry: "have you been disgusting in the bathroom?"
But at least Crispin has phoned the police about the incident. 32439 has to run off, thus when the police enter, they find Terry, in convict garb, and it's him they take away
Hugh and I Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2:9 Sink of Iniquity - BBC domestic comedy at its cosy best.
Terry seems to be a little jealous of Hugh's "improved physique" he's getting with his chest expander. Norma admires him too. "You don't need it," Terry tells her. Norma has popped in to ask to use the phone to contact an electrician.
However as it's only a fuse needs mending, Hugh volunteers to do the job. Terry is soon taking charge. "You can always count on us," he boasts, rather unwisely as it turns out.
The fusebox is above the sink and Terry is soon putting his foot in it, the sink that is, which now needs their attention too. "You can damn well pay for a new one," swears Mrs Crispin. "I happen to be mending your fuse," a goaded Terry responds with as much dignity as a man with a foot through a sink can muster.
As Slocombe the plumber is so expensive Terry promises to install the new sink as "it's only a fiddly little job."
Fatal words. The first snag is getting the unit in through the kitchen door. As it won't, Terry and Hugh carry the sink round to go in via the front door. Pausing for a rest, removal men next door pick up the sink unit loading it on to their van.
After a chase, Terry and Hugh begin a classic conversation at the local police station where the sergeant (Deryck Guyler) jots down the details of this "sink theft." He exhibits all the equanimity of a policeman trained to patiently unravel absolutely any problem, as he asks them in puzzled tones "surely the neighbours would know if their sink was missing?" In a lovely scene, the sergeant at last grasps the situation... he thinks!
"I was mending the fuse," explains Terry.
"Was it an electric sink?" queries the policeman.
"Have you got another branch near here?" sighs Terry.
Finally the sink is returned. Jeers Crispin "Luton's a long way round to go from the back door to the front!" There's more slapstick, almost it seems Terry is Oliver to Hugh's Stan Laurel.
"Next time you can mend your own fuse," concludes Terry, though of course it turns out the fuse wasn't what was wrong. The sink is a botched job too. Result- the Crispins have to eat round at Terry's, Hugh being left to work on the task alone....
"We're going to have to rebuild the whole house!" cries Mrs Crispin. "It's been one of those days," agrees Hugh

Hugh and I Menu

.

.

.

.

.

3:7 (1964) Escort Duty -
The good old days when TV closed down for the night. Mum is standing for the National Anthem and won't be interrupted by Terry, who has to wait, contorting his face as it plays: "you squeeze the last drop out of your licence!" He's impatient to phone the Daily Chronicle to confirm he has won their boxing competition. Prize is two tickets for the big fight.
Of course he hasn't won so he searches for a job, so he can get the money to buy a ticket for the boxing. An armed escort with Hugh alongside- that's it! However the agency only wants escorts for two Italian sisters, "sightseeing in the Rolls"- and at £50 each it's a go.
On the tenth floor of posh Crawfords Hotel, they first meet the girls' mother, who interrogates them. Maria and Sophia are "unpinning their heads!" she explains. The boys see they have to impress the lady, so to her remark "we have a chalet in Switzerland," the response is- Terry "we have got one....," Hugh: "...in Skegness." But when the attractive Maria finally enters, her first line "I am entirely in your hands" can only evoke "Phew!" from Terry. They just have to impress. Terry: "I'm Scott of Scotts Hall," Hugh "Yes, and I am Lloyd of London." After more idle chat, assuming the roles of nobs, they bid "toodly pippy," and from Hugh "chinchilla," to get togged up for the night out.
It's a little awkward picking the girls up outside Scotts Hall, as this is Buckingham Palace. As the boys arrive, the girls are explaining to the policeman on duty "we know the owner!" Then they go off on their dates, Terry snoring through a concert at the Festival Hall, whilst Hugh takes the excitable Maria to the Big Fight. Uninspiring
Hugh and I Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.


4:4 (1965) A Brace of Peasants -

The opening scene is in the bathroom, Hugh using Terry's watch as a plug for the basin. Today it's the start of the summer holidays, and each year they have gone to Brighton, for as Hugh says "there's nowhere like Brighton." Retorts Terry; "the only place you ever tried was Hove!"
But Terry longs for something different, like shooting in the Scottish Highlands. "There's nowhere like Brighton," repeats Hugh. But Terry has already booked them for grouse shooting.
So they ask a shopkeeper (Anthony Sharp) for "two bangers." He gets increasingly irritated by Hugh's ignorance. Terry orders the guns and asks them to be sent to his Club. "Which club?" Hugh enlightens him: "the Tooting Bowls Club."
The King's Cross to Aberdeen express sees Terry and Hugh in shooting regalia, as they settle into a crowded compartment. "We're going to bag a few grice," Hugh informs his fellow travellers, who prove, not surprisingly, to be "a touchy lot." Terry scoffs food until the ticket collector (Deryck Guyler) tells them they are in the wrong portion of the train for Scotland.
Their new travelling companions are Lord Popham (Fred Emney) and his wife Sybil (Judith Furse). She asks Hugh about where they are to shoot: "you do realise you can't shoot ad lib?" "No grouse," corrects Hugh, "grice."
Popham invites them to his place.
Next morning Hugh is only half awake, and longing to be in Brighton. In a confusing story, an army training exercise gets mixed up with the shoot. A soldier (Frank Williams) explains his plans to a mystified Hugh and Terry. "What are you talking about?" They decide he's an escaped lunatic.
"Keep an eye on that, will you?" the soldier asks, 'that' being a machine gun. Popham joins the lads and stares at their gun: "is that yours?" He takes charge, leaving the two boys to go to Brighton, and try their luck with the girls there

Hugh and I Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Comedy Playhouse

BBC's showcase for potential new series.

1.4 The Offer (1962) - Steptoe and Son's first outing
2.1 Our Man in Moscow (1963)
2.3 Impasse
2.5 A Clerical Error
2.6 The Handyman
2.7 Fools Rush In (see picture)
3.12 The Bed - (1963) pilot for Meet the Wife
5.1 The Bishop Rides Again (1966)- the pilot for All Gas and Gaiters
6.8 The Old Campaigner (1967)
13.3 Born Every Minute (1972, colour)

Galton and Simpson Playhouse
LWT lured these BBC stalwarts to try and repeat their brilliance, only for more money.
The Suit - A lover has his suit stolen, and has to return home in some very unsuitable clothing. His excuses ready, he returns via the toilet window. But the surprise is, the police have already returned his suit and his wife has awkward questions. The part is just made for Leslie Phillips, but oddly the script avoids his embarrassment at being seen in his hippie clothes
An Extra Bunch of Daffodils (May 1969) - Anticipation and surprise are the essence of great comedy. This black comedy has anticipation, as you can see what's coming almost as soon as we meet Lawrence (Stratford Johns) at the cemetry where he's putting flowers on the grave of Wife Number Five. There he bumps into rich widow Mildred (Patsy Rowlands) who, after a whirlwind courtship ends up as Number Six. How does it end up? Well surely you can anticipate that.....
Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2.1 Our Man in Moscow (1963) -

A nicely observed vignette of the Cold War. Sir William (Robert Morley) is head at the British Embassy in Russia, and enjoys maintaining good relations with his international counterparts. However this becomes a trifle difficult, when Whitehall demands he hands in a complaint to the Russians about their fishing off the Isle of Wight. "Very trying for you," drily remarks his PA man Mortimer (Frank Thornton). What with that, and holding a reception for pop singer Ricky Richards, it's all too much for Our Man.
Then an even weightier problem arises, in the shape of a potential defector, Romanovski. This tuba player (a rather over-the-top Patrick Wymark) demands political asylum. Why? "I want artistic freedom," the temperamental musician explains. He's not allowed to play Strauss Waltzes- that's what he really wants to play!
Mortimer can see the propaganda value in this defection, though Sir William is more worried about losing his friend the Minister of Culture, who's due to come round for a game of chess. Sir William makes his decision- he is adamant that Romanovski is not allowed to stay here, leading to his best line, "I can see the headlines now- Hands Off Tuba!"
After some overblown political wrangling, a decision is sought from London, the tuba player allowed to stay pro tem.
Two days on, and the secret police are watching the embassy. No reply as yet from the minister in London, since he's away on holiday.
In storms the Russian Minister of Culture. "We want our tuba player back." He greets Romanovski like a long lost brother, "the orchestra needs you," he urges. But the demand is still "I want to play Strauss." The minister concedes and the crisis is surely averted. But back in Britain the press has been feting Sir William as The Lion of Moscow, praising him for his bulldog spirit. So suddenly there's a tussle for the tuba player. Sir William's picture of Britain perhaps decides Romanovski: "there's so much going on, bingo, television!"
This could be the end of a promising career. Worse follows for poor Sir William: that pop singer has defected to Russia, daddy-o. As Sir William puts it gently, "I have a feeling we may be recalled."
The lugubrious Robert Morley is well cast, carrying a rather wordy comedy with plenty of fine lines

Comedy Playhouse Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Impasse
It's a snowy day, as seen on some external film shots, as two cars converge on each other, ending up bumper to bumper along a narrow lane. "Back up!" both drivers shout.
One is Albert (Bernard Cribbins) with his wife (Yootha Joyce) in his old banger, "a heap of old tin," the car that is.
The other is the stately Charles (Leslie Phillips) with his wife Celia (Georgina Cookson) in his Rolls Royce.
Both drivers refuse to back up, both believe they're in the right and both wives cannot convince their spouses to stop behaving so childishly.
"I know how to handle this type," Charles tells Celia confidently.
But Albert refuses to give in: "you think because you've got a great big Rolls Royce, you own the road."
It's a classic class slanging match, with all the old jokes, yet perfectly performed. The blustering is interrupted by the arrival of the AA man (Harry Locke), who is called upon to exercise all his years of wisdom to adjudicate. About to side with the upper class, he spots Albert is an AA member, but not Charles. But then an RAC patrolman (Duncan Macrae) drives up to take Charles' side. Now it's a slanging match, AA versus RAC.
At last a solution is agreed- measure the distance back from both cars to the nearest lay-by. But before this is resolved up cycles "Z Cars," a local bobby (Campbell Singer) who finds technical faults with both vehicles. However it's Albert's wreck, he pontificates, that must be pushed back for necessary repairs, though Charles doesn't win either, as he finds his destination is actually behind him!
If it all sounds a little tedious, it is, but the compensations are there with a fine study of comic attitudes, and a fine bunch of comic characters

Comedy Playhouse Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Clerical Error
The idea of John le Mesurier playing a conman was a superb one, but Galton and Simpson's script attempts to develop several sub-plots without satisfactorily settling on any.

Just out of The Scrubs after another three months inside, is a gentle conman (John le Mesurier), who is welcomed back home by his aged mother (Amy Dalby) with "do try and keep out a little longer this time!"
But he's already "out on business," this vicar, at the local, with a collecting box, asking customers to "give generously to the house of the Lord." Profuse thanks are offered to all donors, including a tart (Yootha Joyce) who is curious as to which denomination he represents. "The best of all the others," he replies blandly, adding, "are you interested in theology?!" "Anything for a laugh," she responds, "you're not like any vicar I've ever met!"
Outside, counting his collection 'Caleb Bullrush' is pleased: "the wages of sin aren't too bad this evening!"
The Hotel Europa, Euston, is where he escorts the young lady, booking in as man and wife. But there's an interruption... A policeman knocks: "the inspector would like a word with you."
But it's not what the vicar fears, he's wanted in his "professional capacity." A threatened suicide demands his attention, explains the inspector (Russell Napier). So reluctantly he bids the girl a temporary adieu, with only a hymn book for company.
"Good evening my son, been a funny sort of day, hasn't it?" he begins talking to Watt, the man on the ledge. Biblical quotes from the clergyman are corrected by Watt before the best scene, done so unhurriedly, as the vicar orders tea and bikkies for two. "Like Harold Lloyd," a cuppa is brought out. "Lovely view up here." But not long to admire it, for off falls the poor vicar, a hundred feet down into a fireman's net.
The postscript. The Week's Good Cause on Tv. Rear Admiral Sir Brian Grenville Drake appeals on behalf of the National Fund for Resettlement of Distressed Lighthouse keepers.
A Clerical Error introduces several potentially fine characters and situations (mother, the tart) but they disappear in a rambling storyline that is really only held together by John le Mes' charm.
Comedy Playhouse Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2.6 The Handyman
Post of General Handyman at an exclusive health clinic is filled by Hogg, played by Alfred Marks, who was ubiquitous in early tv comedies, but it's hard to see why he was so much in demand.
Arriving at reception, he learns he is to be treated like the guests, and half a bar of fruit and nut is confiscated, for patients here are on a very strict diet. Smoking is forbidden. "Where's the machine gun tower?" jokes the smooth talking Cockney.
The clinic is run with a rod of iron by Dr Basil Davidson (Anthony Sharp), assisted by his besotted matron. He tells Hogg he's obese and orders "something special" for his lunch of 130 calories, "no extraneous stodge."
It's all too much for Lionel Hogg, who starts smuggling food into his cellar for a nice fry-up. However the smell of his cooking wafts upwards, driving one patient, Harris, wild. "One little nibble," he begs Hogg, when he discovers what's going on. "I'll pay- £1 for a sausage!" Meeting with a refusal he ups his bid to £4. And that sets Hogg thinking.
Harris is soon guzzling food brought in by Hogg, and others soon follow the downward path, "on the move" down to the basement. Soon tables are set, and patients are enthusing over "the most wonderful meal I've ever eaten."
"They're all putting on weight," cries the baffled doctor. But Hogg is content- he's making a nice profit at his Blue Lagoon basement restaurant. Until there's a raid. "You're fired!"
But rebellion by all the patients yields a compromise- upstairs there's dieting, downstairs there's plenty of food. So everyone ends up happy. Apart from Hogg, who is now making no profit, so he scarpers off to join a monastery. A simple pleasant bit of fun.
Comedy Playhouse Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2.7 Fools Rush In

This was an interesting if ultimately doomed attempt to create two modern Laurel and Hardy type characters. You feel that perhaps given more time to build into their role this might have developed well, but as it is, the characters do become more confident as the half hour progresses, but never quite convince.
Patrick Newell is the bowler hatted Bernard (Barney) Kirby and his partner played by Gordon Rollings is Wilfred Robson. Sacked 47 times, these "blessed idiots" have now obtained positions in the service of the Major (Deryck Guyler). "Nothing must go wrong," Barney warns his dim assistant as they prepare afternoon tea. Various disasters overtake them, Rollings even attempting a Laurel-like display of tears.
It's The Fishing Trip. The Major's two bumbling servants get the Rolls ready, one clearly frustrated: "keep your silly mouth shut." But Stan, er Wilfred, gets his own back by driving, Laurel like, right into poor Barney, crushing the major's best boater for good measure. "It wasn't my fault," cries Wilfred, who adds to his errors by driving off without his friend.
The boys have hired a boat, more "a dirty old tub," actually, but Wilfred' scrubbing down only leads to an accidental dousing for poor Barney. Water, and wetness, prove the theme of this part of the story. "Another fine mess" to quote. Next in the drink is the major, as Wilfred has removed the gangpank. "He's nothing but a menace," rants the major.
The best visual sequence is when Wilfred hangs out the major's shirt to dry. The boys have some sort of fun with a mobile bridge, and soon Barney is soaked, again. "The man is a menace," agrees Barney. Wilfred is sacked. End of a beautiful friendship. "We've always been together, Barney," cries the pathetic Wilfred, who sadly packs his belongings. He departs, but, without the gangplank, falls in the water too.
Now there's Laurel and Hardy type pathos as we hear he can't swim. A frantic search in the water, while Wilfred, of course, has climbed safely back on board. The soaking major emerges from the water and sacks them both. Again.

Comedy Playhouse Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

3.12 The Bed - (Dec 28th 1963)
7am, time to get up. Thora (Thora Hird) hasn't "slept a wink all night" as the bed's "all lumpy." With their 25th wedding anniversary looming, she decides it's time for a new bed. Husband Freddie (Freddie Frinton) takes her complaints with a resigned look of stoicism. If you like comedy with a nagging wife and a downtrodden husband of the old school, this is for you.
In the bed showroom, with her ever moaning about the way he pinches the blankets, his feet, hishole in his sock, his betting, they are shown a "larger extra wide" double bed, though Thora fancies a twin at £57 10/-. But Freddie prefers the double at a mere £38 10/-.
"Would you like to try for yourselves?" asks the harrassed seller. Brian Oulton milks well his lines as the nervy salesman.
"What, go to bed in a shop!" They do try one with a split mattress: "it prevents you rolling together," explains the salesman. Thora settles down in it, and buys it.
It's the first night at home with the new bed, to incessant moaning from Thora, who has to check there really are 673 springs; "I can only see one!"
Fred has to get in and out of bed to make adjustments. At last he can settle down with the Greyhound Gazette, but Thora's light's faulty, so that needs mending. He has more hopping in and out of bed to make unfunny adjustments, before Thora echoes all our hopes: "let's get settled down."
Frustrated Freddie finally gives up, "I'm going to the spare room." But all is forgiven when she discovers his anniversary present for her, a new dressing gown, and she grabs the old blankets to join him in their old bed.
A really grim attempt, a lifeless comedy, I'd have thought the laughter had been canned if I didn't know the BBC any better
Comedy Playhouse Menu . . . Meet the Wife Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Old Campaigner
Written by Michael Pertwee.
Peter Clancy (Derek Fowlds) is "promising material" at work, but not the sort of material that F-J (Terry-Thomas) needs on his business trip to Paris. It's "hard slogging" for the ill-matched pair.
"I'm sure I shall learn a tremendous lot from you," Peter tells his superior, and in a way he's right. For F-J is planning his usual fun with the French femmes, but Clancy's scruples put the dampers on. After some uninspiring debate, Peter reluctantly agrees to tag along. But the first female that F-J phones is "mort," whilst 'Fred' (Nadja Regin) has married, however thankfully Louise is willing and promises to bring Karina.
Champagne is flowing as the girls arrive, but it's "devastation!" Remarks Clancy: "she's gone off a bit." F-J can only groan "Gone off? She was never on!" For Louise is his old cook. So F-J feigns illness and the evening is called off.
Now F-J has quickly recovered, he arranges a date at the cinema with Fanny. Tragedy strikes when F-J twists his ankle, so Peter has to take F-J's place.
He has a fine old time and we next see him chatting up the maid with champagne.
Next morning he's showing F-J a gold cigarette lighter he's bought for the maid, much to F-J's utter surprise.

This is an awfully hackneyed script, which Terry-Thomas does his best with, despite several fluffed lines. However he shows his touch in adlibbing brilliantly when there's an unexpected crashing noise backstage
Comedy Playhouse Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Born Every Minute. Script: Jack Popplewell
Two strangers on a train, first class naturally. Alexander Barney (Ronald Fraser) of the Metropolitan Oil Corporation has lost his ticket, as well as his wallet. "I do humbly apologise," he assures the ticket collector, but his kind fellow passenger Sir Rufus Wright (Campbell Singer) kindly loans him the fare. And soon Sir Rufus is "eating out of my hand," as Barney, real name Harry, is telling his partner in crime, Johnny (James Beck), later. Their scheme is to "show him a bargain and leave the rest to greedy disposition."
But both these conmen have a weakness... beautiful women. And at their hotel, both are competing for the blonde Penelope (Juliet Harmer): "what's a pretty girl like you...?" and other cliches. She seems more taken with Harry, perhaps because he seems richer. As for Johnny, "he's got about as much chance as Frankenstein," believes Harry.
Harry has been invited to dine with Sir Rufus and his susceptible wife (Mollie Sugden). Flattery is the order of the day: "what a very nice place you have here." While they enjoy a delicious meal washed down with the finest wine, poor Johnny has to content himself with ham sandwich and a coffee.
Sir Rufus works in Hatton Garden and is prepared to offer Harry £500 for his diamond ring. "It can't be worth all that," exclaims an amazed Harry.
Later he has his rendezvous with Johnny at the station, after bidding farewell to the effusive Penelope. Harry is triumphant- he'd switched the ring for a fake, and pocketed £500 cash. But where is the cash? His wallet has been lifted!
"That bird" has conned the conmen, and she's got the genuine ring too!
Comedy Playhouse Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

5.1 The Bishop Rides Again (1966)- the pilot for All Gas and Gaiters.
The script isn't as good as the characters that are created by four master actors, William Mervyn as a bumbling bishop, Robertson Hare as, well, himself, Derek Nimmo as the shy chaplain and John Barron as the terror of a dean.
A Cathedral windfall- a £60,000 bequest, on condition the bishop reinstates the ancient tradition of a visitation by St Ogg on a milk white horse to donate a pair of white stockings to every chaste maiden, to a total of 40. The bishop's plan for a happy joy ride in the car is scotched by the dean ("I'm interrupting a festivity of some kind") inisisting that to comply with the will, the bishop must recapture the atmosphere of the middle ages and go in friar's garb.
Noote purchases the stockings from a drapers (a missed comedy opportunity), but a policeman (James Beck) thinks he's acting in a suspicious manner, and the subsequent scene with him questioning the bishop about a purchase of 40 stockings is well executed.
Off trots the bishop, next morning, on his steed, down the high street, lead by Noote. They knock optimistically on the first door. Are you married? - is the phrasing they've finally decided upon. A promising start when the answer is returned- No. But her crying baby withdraws the bishop's gift. No luck in fact all morning, until a seven year old gives the bishop some hope. But Noote's conscience is a little troubled.
With rain falling, their dreary procession moves onward. Mistakenly thinking the bishop is offering a £30 prize, there's a feeble rumpus with the policeman, ended when the archdeacon drives up with the "getaway" car. With 39 pairs of stockings left ("the 39 articles") all seems lost, until a fortuitous tour of the cathedral by novice nuns solves the problem. Happily concludes the weary bishop, "it's at moments like this, one knows deep down, that one is in the right job!"
Comedy Playhouse Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

All Gas and Gaiters
Derek Nimmo played 'Noote', The Bishop was the reliable William Mervyn and Robertson Hare completed a wonderful trio of bumbling but sympathetic clerics, whilst John Barron's dreaded Dean gave some bite to the fun. Also see Comedy Playhouse

The Bishop Gets the Sack (1967) -Not so serious as it might sound, the title refers to the fact that the Bishop isn't up to hosting a TV programme about St Ogg's Cathedral. The producer (John le Mesurier) then tries out the Dean and Archdeacon, before discovering Noote is a TV natural
The Bishop Sees a Ghost - These days Bishops do keep all night vigils, but do they ever sit up all night with a bag of flour to catch a ghost?
The Bishop Loves His Neighbour (1970 colour) - Exhortations from the Dean about his Good Neighbour Week have the desired effect on the Bishop. He gladly donates to the Dean his tickets to an absorbing lecture on the Pentateuch
The Bishop Beats the System -"The Cathedral is impregnable," says the Dean. This boast thanks to his new security system. However the Bishop persuades Noote to hide in the cathedral after evensong to 'borrow' the cloak of St Ogg, which can be used to raise much needed funds
The Bishop Warms Up (1971 b/w print) - The choir have to sleep in the Bishop's palace, which means He has to share with Noote. As Noote's room is right by the new central heating boiler, it gets very very hot. But worse is in store on the morrow, as the Dean has planned an extra long Music Fest...
The Bishop Entertains- Before the Bishop "filled out" he knew Poppy. He now wants her to open the Garden Party and, more importantly, to propose to her. Best moment is when the Dean and his wife mistake the archdeacon, dressed as an ugly fortune teller, for the bishop's intended
The Bishop Gives a Present - In the best of the surviving stories, the Dean has been seen with a blonde in Bridge Street, and "after ten o'clock!" In the magazine 'Her' is a letter from "Worried St Oggs." And now Mrs Pugh-Critchley (Joan Sanderson) wants to see the Bishop on a "rather delicate matter." Of course it's all a mistake - blame the Dean for keeping on and on about his silver wedding anniversary!
The Bishop Shows His Loyalty - Jealousy, as the Dean is invited to Windsor to preach his long winded sermon on Anglo-Methodist relations. But whilst pulling down the Bishop's tree, he is hurt, and the Bishop has to preach the sermon. His views are diametrically opposed to the Dean's, but the invitation turns out to be not to the Castle at all, but to a conference of Anglicans and Methodists...
The Bishop Has a Rest - Saturday afternoon, and time for the Bishop and the Archdeacon to put their feet up, but alas, their slumbers are disturbed by the Dean ringing the cathedral bells. There follows a battle for silence in which for once the Dean isn't really the winner
The Bishop Loses His Chaplain - Mrs Pugh-Critchley comes to the palace to watch the forbidden television (forbidden by the dean of course). Ostensibly she's here to chaperone her niece who is being "entertained" by Noote - in his bedroom. But surely Noote can't need watching?
Comedy

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Steptoe and Son
A huge hit, we confess to being late converts, though not fans.
1.1 The Offer (1962 Comedy Playhouse pilot) -
Returning from his totting round with a cartful of junk, Harold is slagged off by Albert. It's not just the quality of the rags, it's the way Harold treats the horse, everything- Albert has it in for his son. He's been having it too easy, says the dad who has to rest at home. Harold is frustrated, he's being held back by his dad, specially with the birds. It's impressive how quickly the two characters are so quickly established in this first story, even down to Wilfred Brambell's facial contortions, though maybe this opener is more firmly grounded in the trade than some of their later studies. After this twelve minute scene in the yard, we move to inside the run down Steptoe household. Harold's unique method of tipping the dregs from wine bottles into half full ones is a classic example of his social aspirations- "I'm a connoiseur." Albert by contrast swigs the beaujolais, even though it's been accidentally contaminated with paraffin. The inherent pathos surfaces more strongly as Harold leaves his dad for a new start. "I could have been a company director by now!" But his very words show that the longer he takes over the break, the harder it will be. Out of the gate he attempts to push his cartload of possessions, but it's too weighty. "If I don't go now..." The sad fate of Harold is sealed for the whole series
1.5 The Diploma-
"British Junk for the British!" An interesting argument about the Common Market and the tunnel give this the feel of a mild period satire, as Harold and Albert explore the politics of it all in their own way. The story begins with a nice contrast between the two: Harold the intellectual, reading as he goes totting, and Albert back home swigging. It's clear business is low: "we can't go on like this." As a study of two "pathetic" strugglers, this is beautifully written, though I find it too genuinely real to be too funny. Harold, realising there's no future, has decided to study for a diploma to become a tv engineer, so whilst he struggles with the intracicacies of thermodynamics, it's Albert who has to do the round with the cart, ringing his bell, and soon discovering the hard facts about the dwindling modern day rag and bone trade. Yet almost inevitably, Harold is not up to the mark. What's a condenser for, inquires Albert of his hopeful offspring. Harold attempts an explanation. Albert looks dubious. Perhaps the main scenes are a little overlong, as Albert points out helpfully "that bit goes there." Suggestion ignored. Fianlly Harold is goaded into switching on the tv he has constructed, but again, the script is just over elaborated as he reaches the point of failure. Albert however makes a few quick changes as poor Harold stands by despairing. "Soon get my diploma," mutters Albert as the set lights up: Here Is The News! Harold admits defeat. To sustain this half hour comedy with but two characters is a fine feat, and it almost works here
3.4 Steptoe a la Cart (1964)-
This French "scrubber" Monique (Gwendolyn Watts) is a darling, and despite the obvious language barrier, Harold is smitten. Of course his other problem is Albert, "the soul of discretion," though hardly when father proves a fluent French speaker, learned in the first war. And not just a speaker for Harold's hopes of romance are dashed as Albert reveals, "I'm her granddad... she looks like me!"
5.7 Men of Property (1970)
6.6 Pot Black
Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

Our Man at St Mark's
A-R's gentle comedy about a quiet vicar in a quiet parish. starring Leslie Phillips as Rev Andrew Parker with Joan Hickson as the housekeeper, and Anne Lawson as Anne Gibson
Scripts written by James Kelly and Peter Miller. Producer: Eric Maschwitz
To Comedy Menu
1.1 "The Facts of Life" (Wednesday September 25th 1963 9.10pm) -The vicar is preparing his harvest sermon with a rather obvious joke on the horizon... "the most difficult thing of all to practice is tolerance," when of course he's interrupted by his housekeeper and he gets rather ratty with her. But the theme continues nicely through the story as his girlfriend Anne tells him "people think it's funny, people going out with vicars." So she'd like him please not to wear his dog collar at the party tonight. "People don't expect vicars to cuddle!" But he feels he must wear that collar even though "it might inhibit people." Parishioners are bringing in produce for the harvest. There's some confusion over the two children who do so, Johnny (Kevin Bennett) is called 'Philip' at one point whilst Casey (Gillian Gostling) is introduced by the vicar as 'Tracey'. It's she who informs our vicar that "I'm going to have a baby" but as she's only about nine there's an awkward conversation ahead for Our Man. How does she know? he manages to ask. "A woman knows these things." Further gentle questioning gets to the heart of it all: Johnny must marry her "because he kissed me." Poor Johnny is told to apologise for such behaviour and as the vicar orders him, he realises he also should show some tolerance over that burning issue of the Dog Collar.

Details of the remainder of the four series:
1.2 A Joyful Noise (October 2nd 1963)
Directed by Christopher Hodson.
Reginald Barrett... Mr Donald
Julian Holloway... Mike Daniels
The Classmates... The Scramblers
Kevin Bennett... Johnny Marshall
Clive Marshall... Tom
An attempt to pep up the singing at St Mark's leads to trouble with the organist. However Andrew, on the very verge of defeat, gets what he wants in a highly unconventional manner...
1.3 Holier Than Thou (October 9th 1963)
1.4:Side by Side (October 16th 1963)
Directed by Christopher Hodson.
Beatrice Varley... Mrs Gray
Jack Bligh... Harold Gray
Jack Stewart... Father McIntyre
Andrew and his Roman Catholic colleague from St Dominic's become involved in a rather hectic problem of accommodation.
1.5 A Previous Conviction (October 23rd 1963 9.25pm)
Directed by Geoffrey Hughes.
Warren Mitchell... Joe Meyer
Frank Tregear... Albert
Freddie Jones... George Gregory
Andrew's attempt to give an ex-convict a fresh start in life becomes more than complicated when Anne decides to take a hand.
1.6 The Man Who Came to Lunch (November 13th 1963)
1.7: The Executive (November 27th 1963)

After seven episodes in 1963 Leslie sadly left, but the programme was so popular it returned the following year for a
Second series from Rediffusion, starring
Donald Sinden as Rev Stephen Young, vicar of Felgate with
Joan Hickson returning in her role as housekeeper Mrs Peace,
plus Robbie the dog.
All Scripts were by James Kelly and Peter Miller.

Details of the stories-
2.1 Quite Nice in Amersham (Thursday April 16th 1964 7.30pm)
Directed by Richard Doubleday.
Joyce Carey... Mrs Roberts
Meg Ritchie... Jean
David Hemmings... Bill Palmer
On the day of his arrival, the new vicar finds himself at cross purposes with the redoutable Mrs Peace.

2.2 The Desk (April 23rd 1964)
Directed by Bill Turner
Ron Welling/Billy Cornelius... Furniture men
Jean Harvey... Mrs Mitchell
Ronald Leigh-Hunt... Mr Mitchell
Karen Lea... Secretary's voice
In his efforts to furnish the vicarage, the Rev Stephen furnishes himself with a problem... how to repair a broken marriage?

2.3 Brother Midnight (April 30th 1964)
Directed by Cyril Coke
Patricia Garwood... Miss Thompson
Brian Cronin.... Charlie
Jeffrey Shankley... Pete
Clive Marshall... Dave
Dudley Hunte... Mickey
Tina Martin... Pamela
Ray Anton and the Peppermint Men... Youth club group
A black boy wants to join the youth club, and Stephen has a fight on his hands.

2.4 The Runaway (May 7th 1964)
Patricia Garwood... Carol (also in 2.3, 5, 8, 9, 13)
Rev Stephen Young has the delightful task of seeing a friend home, but returning full of joy, he notices a leg sticking out of a bush

2.5 Gillian's Day (May 14th 1964)
Directed by Bill Turner
Patricia Garwood... Carol Thompson
Maris Tant... Gillian
Arthur Howard... Mr Matthews
Desmond Davies... Dr Farmer
A cat may look at a king- but should a really nice young lady keep smiling at the vicar in church?

2.6 No Bank for Sid (May 21st 1964)
Director: Bill Turner
David Lodge... Sid Morrison
William Marlowe... Albert
Barry Henderson... Mechanic
Linda Polan... Rachel Morrison
David Rosen... David Morrison
Philip Yardley... Mark Morrison
The vicar decides to buy a car, and meets a man as unusual as the car he sells.

2.7 A Question of Tactics (May 28th 1964)
Director: Christopher Hodson
Anthony Blackshaw... Tom
Geoffrey Denton... Mr Barrington
Kevin Stoney... Hopkins
Joe Greig... Jeffries
George Lee... Policeman
£100 is urgently needed for church repairs. Rev Stephen goes after the money in a manner his parishioners find somewhat staggering.

2.8 Too Good to Be True (June 4th 1964)
Directed by Bill Turner
Jean Trend... Deidre Bradshaw
John Howard... Thomas
Alan Browning... Alec Bradshaw
Eric Dodson... Mr Frost
Patricia Garwood... Carol Thompson
In which Rev Stephen, after a fleeting dream of champagne and caviar, deals firmly with a most unusual situation.

2.9 Rainbow's End (June 11th 1964)
Patricia Garwood... Carol
As a host at the children's outing, Rev Stephen is not successful

2.10 We Do It on Saturday (June 18th 1964)
Directed by Bill Turner
Linda Marlowe,,, Vivienne
John Harvey... Bernard Campbell
Barry Warren... Jeremy
Drama enters the vicar's life, while Mrs Peace has an adventure of her own.

2.11 Smoke Without Fire (June 25th 1964)
Directed by Christopher Hodson
Frank Seton... Ticket collector
Carol Mowlam... Jennifer
Peggy Thorpe-Bates... Mrs Thornton
Bette Vivian... Mrs Smith
James Bree... Mr Partridge
John Wentworth... The Bishop
Peter Walker/ Anthony Buckingham... Little boys
In which the vicar finds himself the subject of malicious gossip, with almost fatal results...

2.12 Harry the Yo-Yo (July 2nd 1964)
Director: Bill Turner
Harry Fowler... Harry Danvers (also in 2.13)
PG Stephens... Mike
Hedley Colson... Policeman
Rev Stephen catches a burglar red handed, and leaves him rather red in the face.

2.13 The Pleasure of Your Company (July 29th 1964, 9.10pm)
Director: Bill Turner
Harry Fowler... Harry Danvers
Patricia Garwood... Carol Thompson
Ursula Hirst... Mrs Thompson
Malcolm Knight... Jake
Norman Hartley... Motor cycle policeman
Thanks to the well-intentioned efforts of Harry the Yo-Yo, the course of true love very nearly comes to a standstill.

The third series starring
Donald Sinden as Rev Stephen Young,
with Joan Hickson, and
Harry Fowler as Harry Danvers (Yo-Yo - from end of series 2)
(Mr Robertson who played Robbie the dog, had died and was replaced).
The filmed sequences were made at Denham.

3.1 A Funny Thing Happened to Amanda (April 26th 1965)
Director: Bill Turner
Alan Baulch... Rob Barton (also 3.5)
Graham Rigby... Hargreaves
Anne Woodward... Mrs Hargreaves
Victor Maddern... Mr Burton
Pamela Hewes... Mrs Burton
Humphrey Morton... Chaplain
A most unusual couple seek sanctuary at the altar.

3.2 The Invader (May 3rd 1965)
Director: Richard Doubleday
Gretchen Franklin... Alice Perry
Charles Rea... Frank Perry
Joan Harsant... 1st woman
Nicholas Selby... Brother Joseph
John Blythe... Morris
Raymond Mason... Reynolds
A kill-joy in Felgate? Rev Stephen goes hunting.
(No story May 10th - Party Political Broadcast)

3.3 Four Hundred Years' Thick (May 17th 1965)
Director: Bill Turner
Francesca Annis... Frances Harding
Karen Lea... Mrs Butcher
Coral Fairweather... Mrs Harding
The vicarage is redecorated, and Rev Stephen in involved in a problem of love at first sight.
(No story May 24th)

3.4 Objection Sustained (May 31st 1965)
Director: Bill Turner
June Barry... Mary Burton
Jon Rollason... Charles Stokes
Trevor Bannister... Frederick Barret
Pat Connell... Stan Fisher
The eternal triangle sparks off a rather unusual disturbance in church.

3 5 Storm in a Cocoa Cup (June 7th 1965)
Director: Richard Doubleday
Martin Norton... Anthony
Alan Baulch... Rob Barton
Brian Hayes... Rev Murdoch
Martin Matthews... Rev Marlow
Graham Leaman... Rev Bailey
Rev Stephen finds himself threatened with trades union action from a most unexpected quarter.

3.6 A Question of Degree (June 14th 1965)
Director: Bill Turner
Ann Bell... Jane Dawson
Susan Danbury... Jennifer
Mark Kingston... Jennifer's father
Eileen Page... Jennifer's mother
Terry Brooks... Mike
Patti Brooks... Mike's mother
John Nicholas... Mike's father
A go-ahead young lady tries to bring Rev Stephen's Sunday School up to date with somewhat shattering results.

3.7 Pay Now, Live Later (June 21st 1965)
Director: Richard Doubleday
Terence Alexander... Mr Barrett
Margaret Durnell... Mrs Frost
Freddie Earlle... Mr Fenton
Roy Spencer... Doctor
Jack Bligh... Mr Wilson
Jane Bolton... Nurse
Maurice Peckman... Post office clerk
When Mrs Peace decides to take out an insurance policy, Rev Stephen finds himself unexpectedly involved.

3.8 Ninety-Nine and One (June 28th 1965)
Director: Bill Turner
Clive Morton... Bishop
Frank Sieman... Gatekeeper
Anthony Sagar... Bill Taylor
Anne Ogden... secretary
Freddie Jones... Benson
Roy Madron... Paddy
Stephen seeks to increase his flock, and the bishop asks divine forgiveness for a small but judicious piece of blackmail.

3.9 Edie's Ace (July 5th 1965)
Director: Bill Turner
Campbell Singer... Geoffrey Ruston
Helen Ryan... Miss Esdaile
Fay Compton... Edie Russell
Walter Sparrow... Porter
Rev Stephen finds himself involved in a battle against the new motorway.

3.10 The Galloping Major (July 12th 1965)
Director: Richard Doubleday
Derek Francis... Major Hubert Paxton
Gwen Cherrell... Celia Paxton
The vicarage suffers more than somewhat from the well-meaning assistance of Our Man from Burma.

3.11 Know Thine Enemy (July 19th 1965)
Director: Richard Doubleday
Brian Vaughan... Insp Gibbs
Walter Hall... Constable White
Jane Evers... Library receptionist
Frank Henderson... Hargreaves
Winifred Hill... Mrs Higgins
Godfrey Quigley... Father Patrick
John Miller... Black magician
The day-to-day problems of a country vicar are complicated by something unusually serious, an invasion of black magic.

3.12 The Yo-Yo Again (July 26th 1965)
Director: Richard Doubleday
John Scott Martin... Mr Gates
Victor Brooks... Det Sgt Martin
James Beck... PC Bailey
Charles Cullum... Magistrate
Philip Anthony... Prosecuting solicitor
Our long-reformed sexton and gravedigger, Yo-Yo, suffers a sad fall from grace, into the arms of a magistrates court.

3.13 Steps to the Cathedral (August 2nd 1965)
Director: Richard Doubleday
Clare Owen... Young woman
Tony Steedman... Archdeacon
Clive Morton... Bishop
Desmond Jordan... Michael Lawrence
Rev Stephen is faced with the problem 'To marry or not to marry,' and finds himself in a situation which may critically affect his own future.

Series 4 saw Donald Sinden promoted to Venerable Stephen Young, archdeacon at Lynchester.
With Joan Hickson, and
Clive Morton as The Bishop.
A new dog was introduced- Caber.
Producer: Eric Maschwitz (as series 1)

4.1 The Fall of the House of Lawther (July 4th 1966 9.10pm)
Director: Bill Turner
Michael Gwynn... Rev Michael Lawther
Daphne Slater... Mrs Lawler
Roy Godfrey... Builder
Stephen finds himself with a problem vicar on his hands.

4.2 Love All (July 11th 1966)

4.3 The Peppermint Man (July 18th 1966)
Director: Bill Turner
Peter Vaughan... Rev John Spencer
Martin Wyldeck... Dr Grant
Margaret Ward... Mrs Wells
Dorothea Phillips... Mrs Evans
Denis Holmes... Publican
It transpires that Rev John Spencer is by no means a teetotaller, and Stephen Young feels himself bound to take strong measures.

4.4 The Silent Village (July 25th 1966 10.30pm)
Director: Richard Doubleday
Same cast as for 4.3
Stephen's attempt to discipline John Spencer is finally brought to nothing, by the concerted action of the Peppermint Man's parishioners.

4.5 The Talking Machine (August 1st 1966 9.10pm)
Directed by Richard Doubleday
Harry Fowler... Harry
David Langton... Sir Geoffrey Challis MP
Malcolm Webster... Gregson
Jonathon Elsom... Mr Burns
In which Stephen Young becomes involved in local politics, and finds himself in a battle with the member of Lynchester.

4.6 Night Call (August 8th 1966)
(no Clive Morton)
Director: Bill Turner
Paul Hardwick... Mr Mills
Pauline Yates... Mrs Parry
Tom Watson... Mr Parry
George Cooper... Inspector
A rainy night... a half-wrecked car... and the archdeacon finds himself having to deal with a most unusual case of the eternal triangle.

4.7 Holy Yo-Yo
Directed by Bill Turner
Harry Fowler... Harry
Richard Hurndal... The Dean
Eric Chitty... Mr Andrews
Fred Ferris... Mr Jackson
Barney Gilbraith... Man in pub
Karen Lea... Mother
Colin Pilditch... Boy
Harry Danvers achieves his life ambition to be allowed to wear a cassock, though, alas, not for long.

4.8 Are You There? (August 22nd 1966)
Director: Bill Turner
Peter Copley... Mr Dexter
Kathleen Michael... Mrs Vandervell
Shirley Cain... Mary Dexter
Mary Holder... Woman at seance
Stephen finds himself inadvertently involved in a contact with Spiritualism. Should Mr Dexter be allowed to ruin his life by clinging to a contact with the Beyond?

4.9 Cross Your Heart and Hope to Die (August 29th 1966)
Director: Richard Doubleday
Harry Fowler... Harry
Desmond Jordan... Michael lawrence
Janet Hannington... Jennifer (Mrs Peace's niece)
The visit of Mrs Peace's little niece to the archdeaconry almost leads to a fracas between Stephen and the Bishop.

4.10 Ships That Pass (September 5th 1966)

4.11 My Uncle Oswald (September 12th 1966)

4.12 When Will They Ever Learn? (September 19th 1966)

4.13 There Are More Things...(December 28th 1966, final story)
Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

It's a Square World (BBC)

A unique series with Michael Bentine. Here was Goon-type humour, that was certainly influential on the later much cruder Monty Python. Seven short series were produced between 1960 and 1964.

* The Craftsman (D Guyler/Leon Thau), "yes dad," with their tools of antiquity. Holding Up the Queen Mary and Knocking down the PO Tower (cartoon). Pretenders to the Throne: King Bert (Clive Dunn), "I'm not pretending mate" as he knights Sir Michael, "that'll be a dollar." Doomsbury Lifeboat is launched rather badly. Dr Albert Dottle (DG) and his Instant Breakfast, its only drawback its colossal cost. The Haunted Castle (a typical Square World model). The Art Expert (uncredited Dick Emery) strips off a painting to reveal an even more valuable one underneath but with a predictable ending. Main film to finish: Olympic Training at the mansion of Lord Noshing (MB)
* Dr Albert Dottle (D Guyler) and his tea driven Model T Ford, with some good jokes on the James Bond theme. Slobodian Oil Treaty (MB + Clive Dunn), the latter having to eat some awful delicacies. The Antique Fakers are interviewed by MB, DG demonstating his woodworm. The Brain (DG) plans to rob the crown jewels. Kamakaze Beetle (model) of a Japanese garden. HMS Incredible is seen in a cartoon, a satire on its modernisation over many decades. MB interviews the Admiral (CD) who shows a film of modern naval recruiting, press gangs in fact, and another film on naval manouevres
* Last of series starts with an unusual organist, Viewers' questions then the News Headlines, Assassination of the King of Slobodia- MB fails in his attempt getting blown up himself, The Gunsmith (Frank Thornton): a topical satire on a dealer selling arms willy-nilly to foreign agents but refusing to sell to a British farmer as his licence is inappropriate, Aerosols (MB), Dinner in a Stately Home in which FT in drag and John Bluthal are offered a feast but refuse every morsel, A scene all in Russian: secret footage from USSR (MB), Main film is Alderman Grimshaw (FT) and the Holiday Trippers' Invasion using war imagery, too long and tedious
* from the 1963 series: On Westminster Bridge, bowler hatted gents salute the Union Jack. An Ornithologist (Leon Thau) in the Dolomites finds a huge egg, which he cooks. Ronnie Barker is our United Nations Reporter as Slobodia joins the UN and everyone starts jiving. Cartoon of Benny Lee showing his inside as he sings, clever but not funny. MB on the Common Market, a lecture with a cartoon, comment ditto. French in Schools- a simple drama. Maggie Fitzgibbon sings Dead Leaves, with an ending anyone could anticipate. FT is at London Airport to meet a French film starr, "corr!!" A musical Brigadier General (RB)- the zaniest moment is defusing "an unexploded German bass," very inventive, but the idea is too drawn out, but with a nice chase round London and then round the studio

Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Dickie Henderson Show
See also A-R Shows, Dickie Henderson Half Hour.
To Dickie Henderson Show Research section.
"It really is a happy show," claimed co-star June Laverick. "I expect there are many many husbands and wives who can see the funny side of our domestic arguments. I think this is why the show has been so successful."

7.1 (April 29th 1964) - "A punch on the nose never solved anything," Dickie tells us. But he nearly comes to blows with William Franklyn who has a great part as Greg, ski champion, chess champion, pianist extraordinnaire, lion hunter, in fact champion everything. He has an answer to everything Dickie throws at him: "it must be very stimulating married to a comedian," he observes to June. Dickie and Jack try to "shatter the image" of Greg. Failure until Dickie tries to fake an accident. That fails too leaving Greg free to take June out for a meal. OK, Dickie finally admits he's jealous. But there's a nice punchline as the superman is finally found out.

8.6 (September 13th 1965) - That master of the one-liner Dickie reminds us that "women are like politicians- we don't always agree with them, but we can't live without them." With such sentiments it's no surprise that June is in tears - she's found a 14 year old love letter from Dickie. "Well I can't go round spouting that juvenile mush now," he claims. But to prove he's still sentimental at heart, he gets Jack (Lionel Murton) to help him buy some pearls for June. To repay Jack, Dickie helps him by composing a love letter to Jack's girl friend (Norma Foster), based on his old stuff to June ("the whole world was filled with warmth and light") and sending 3 dozen red roses. June discovers Dickie has sent her flowers and finds out he's gone to see her and so thinks Dickie must be chasing after this girl. In a nice scene, she confides her worries to Jack who dreaming of his girl tells June the girl is "the most beautiful doll I've ever seen," which makes June even more upset. She overhears Dickie in conversation with her saying "beautiful, you've got just what I've been looking for! Shall I take this off now?" Of course the misunderstanding is sorted out and June gets her cultured pearls.
Comedy menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Arthur Haynes Show
Arthur was one of ATV's top comedy stars. Although most internet sites state that he made fifteen series and over 150 shows, which ran from 1957 to 1966, a convention we follow here, Arthur did also make some earlier shows, his very first being in February 1956.
This began as Strike a New Note, but renamed from April to June 1956 Get Happy with Maria Pavlou and Ken Morris. Joan Savage also appeared. The immortal Nicholas Parsons soon joined the regulars. Others in the first Get Happy show on 24th April were Four in a Chord, Malcolm Goddard, Josephine Gordon, Jane Kimm, Judy Collins, and Sylvia Herklets (later known as Sylvia Francis).
During October to December 1956 Haynes starred in The Arthur Haynes Show, presented by George and Alfred Black. Ken Morris was again featured alongside Joan Savage. Malcolm Goddard, and the George Mitchell Vocal Group also were in the show on 17th October.
Neither of these series ran every week, but they were Haynes' first starring series on television.
'Me and Arthur Haynes' was a well researched tribute shown in March 2011, in which Nicholas Parsons was a bit out in thinking the show was groundbreaking, highly popular would be a fairer comment. And while his adlibbing with Haynes was often impressive, I always felt it was slightly unprofessional the way they would often laugh at themselves. However that may be, Haynes was certainly a One Off.
Reviews of a few surviving shows:
(from series 4 maybe, 1959) with Aileen Cochrane and Harry Jacobson (piano). Nicholas Parsons plays a "hit and run motorist" and a vacuum salesman, Arthur then plays a camp tailor.
(from series 6- screened 1960) with Aileen Cochrane singing round the theatre. As well as a short sketch of Arthur's married life ("if he's not home by 8 I'm leaving him"), there's 'Candlelight' a tv expose of dodgy garages - and with Arthur as the mechanic, there's plenty to expose. A more substantial offering is the typical conflict between a snooty Nicholas Parsons who is complaining to Arthur about all his shoddy workmanship redecorating his home. Arthur's absurd excuses get NP in more and more of a lather.
11.1 (possibly- December 1962) In the opening show in a new series, a fascinating intro as Arthur congratulates the thin audience for turning out on such a foggy night. He has one scene with Nicholas Parsons as a solicitor who is looking into Arthur's alleged noble connections. Then he plays a burglar teaching new boy, Michael Caine, how to do it. Guest: Yana
11.3 (possibly) December 22nd 1962 A Christmas Special with Wendy Richard. Also in a sketch with Kenneth Griffith, Arthur plays a tramp feeding off the dustbins outside the Ritz.
12.2 (January 11th 1964) with the Dave Clark Five - a classic show with AH at the peak of his powers. In the first sketch, NP is a doctor in a first class carriage, being pestered by AH. Then the two tramps report to the police (NP) the theft of fourpence ("fourpence!"). NP picks up Arthur's mispronounciation of "Mission Hut" like a real pro.

With Arthur's sudden death in 1966, ITV were deprived of one of their top comedy shows. The nicest contemporary little tribute I have seen was this, "how Ealing will miss that white sports car of his, and that happy smiling face at the wheel."
Menu

.

.

.

.

The Army Game
Thankfully the surviving shows have all been released on dvd. Mixed reactions to the series nowadays, nostalgia certainly, poor scripts certainly, but just a few treasures, definitely.
Here's a contemporary account of the very first episode on June 19th 1957: "what a lovely bunch of characters these inhabitants of Nether Hopping are. The story line was a little thin but it really didn't matter. Sid Colin is so ingenious with his script that whatever his characters say or do they are bound to make you laugh because they are drawn so carefully. The camerawork was first class throughout and I'm sure this programme will set a fine example of how author director and cast work as a team. This show must run for many months to come." It certainly did!
Best episode: 5.8 The Kindest Man in Britain, that epitome of a sergeant, William Hartnell, is forced into being nice to everyone.
From the stories with Alfie Bass and Bill Fraser, 4.37 Out of This World is an almost surreal story with everything turned upside down.
Dud episodes: I'm afraid too many stories relied on corn, and the skill of the accomplished actors to bale the scriptwriters out. Particularly trite are 4.3 Snudge's Budgie, and 5.4 The Marshall's Baton.
It's a shame that so few of the earlier series with Michael Medwin have survived, for these laid the foundation for the show's success. From those surviving, it's difficult to see quite what all the excitement was about.
Spot the Star: fascinating to watch and see how many times Geoffrey Palmer has a walk on part in the programme. Sometimes he was even given a few lines.
Note: The girl who closed and opened the canteen door before and after the advertising break was Ann Taylor, who was also hostess on Spot the Tune.

The programmes below are listed in the order given with the Network dvds. However I have added some dates given in TV Times, which did sometimes give incorrect information, which may suggest a different running order. However TV Times often also failed to indicate the title of the story or provide anything more than a generalised cast list, so it is possible the Granada archive is the more reliable source here.

1.7 The Mad Bull (September 1957) - a gorgeous ten day break in the South of France is offered to the army's smartest, most proficient men. Hut 29 suddenly become so proficient Sgt Bullimore is puzzled. He decides Popeye is "off his chump" when he sees him chatting to a non existent girl, though he's supposed to be practising his French. A muddled scene follows between William Hartnell and Geoffrey Sumner that is beautifully performed, ending up with the major thinking it's the sergeant who has gone mad. So he calls in a psychiatrist (Frank Williams)
1.13 The New Officer -Lt ffinch, "a right Charlie" is put in temporary charge at Nether Hopping and finds Hut 29 "a bally disgwace." Can he make them "A1 toppers"? He vainly attempts 'Fire Dwill,' but ends up wegwetting it of course. Anthony Snell as ffinch enjoys a lovely part as the upper cwust officer, despite the odd fluffed gag, though it's a pity the comedy ideas rely so much on corn and slapstick
2.1 WRAACS - three extra beds are needed in Hut 29, but it turns out they're for three army girl privates. Some mice nearly get them evicted, and 'nearly' sums up this story which never quite exploits the situation, despite Sgt Bullimore being half propositioned by his opposite number
4.1 Snudge and Jimmy Goblin (October 1959) - A lucky mascot brings Snudge good luck as he becomes richer than "the dreams of average." In a slow starting story that gains momentum, Flogger convinces him the mascot is now cursed
4.2 Take Over Bid (advertised for Nov 13th 1959)- Farmer Harris offers £200 for the redundant Nether Hopping Camp, so Flogger invents the Happiness Universal Trust which offers £1,000. Brig Stubbs' brother in the City (William Mervyn) offers £2,000 and soon offers are at one million. The rival bidders meet at a most unusual board room conference, presided by Mr Bisley
4.3 Enter a Dark Stranger (advertised for Oct 9th 1959, first week of transmission for this series)- This must have been intended as the first of this series, for we are introduced to eager new recruit Dooley, whom the "monster" Snudge places in Hut 29, thinking he will improve them. But is he rich? Flogger and Botosie think so, then Snudge starts greasing up to him. But he ain't, and somewhere along the line the script misses the thread of the first good idea
4.4 Snudge's Budgie (advertised for Oct 16th 1959)- A feeble script in which Bisley gives Snudge's budgie its freedom, leading to the moribund Snudge mourning his loss, "gone and never called me father"
4.5 Where there's Smoke (advertised for Oct 30th 1959) - Is Snudge man enough to give up smoking? With Basher (Arthur Mullard), Flogger bets he can't, so to help tempt him, Bootsie is volunteered to become Snudge's "batsman." To keep him from smoking, Snudge puts on a hypnotism record (which clearly doesn't play), and after various inconsequential attempts to lure Snudge into a drag, Bisley gets hypnotised too
4.6 The Camera Never Lies (advertised for Oct 23rd 1959) - Snudge is after missing stores and Prof Spratt (David Nettheim) has filmed the lads in flagrante. Facing court martial, Flogger fiddles a bit of film trickery with his film The Secret Life of CSM Snudge, "me sir? Not never"
4.7 When the Poppies Bloom Again - Weasel (Brian Weske) is "poison," Flogger's ex-mate, and he buys poppies from Snudge at five bob each, and that lands Snudge inside. Best moment perhaps, is when Flogger gets Hut 29 to masquerade as desperate gangsters to try and scare Weasel
4.8 Miracle in Hut 29 (very probably shown Dec 25th 1959)- Flogger gambles the £20 kitty for the Children's Christmas Party... and loses. Hut 29 have to construct their own rather amateurish gifts, while Snudge and Pocket vie for the role of Santa. At the party, with lots of enthusiastic teenage extras, here comes Santa, "silence you 'orrible lot!" Other equally unlikely Santas appear, but then the real one, with real presents, and all ends aaah, so happily
4.9 Night Train to Itchwick (advertised for Nov 20th 1959)- Snudge joins the same express train as the lads, who are returning to camp without passes or tickets. Eric Barker as the ticket inspector as well as Snudge chase the miscreants up and down the corridors, so much so that Bisley's "nerves get goose pimples"
4.10 Officers and Gentlemen (advertised for Nov 27th 1959) - 'Major Bisley' has fallen for the delightful Penny (Thelma Ruby), so has to resort to elaborate substerfuge as "the contemporary Valentino" showing her round 'his' camp. Her ex-fiance interrupts a cosy tea, "Penelope, envelop me!"
4.11 Tiger Bisley (advertised for Dec 4th 1959) - Basher Briggs (Arthur Mullard) seems to have been painting a lot of actors' teeth black, for they have all gone to the dentist (John Glyn-Jones). Also there with the worst case ever of dentalphobia is Bisley, who, to be treated, is hypnotised. Remaining in this state, he's now a match for Basher and even in training for a fight against Butch Carver. Yet when he is at last de-hypnotised, Flogger's irregular betting patterns seem about to be exposed
4.12 Bisley Court Martial - Bisley is in court, accused of murdering Snudge. Major Price (Philip Latham) is the prosecuting counsel, while only Cpt Pockett is to defend Bootsie. In flashbacks we see how it happened in the NCO's Ablutions, it's all a bit too serious, until a splendid scene when Flogger gives his distorted rose tinted version. In the end Bisley comes clean as the script tails off again. (Note- ref to 4.4, suggesting this story might possibly be placed earlier in this list)
4.13 Long Walk - 5am and Hut 29 are back from the dogs, "gotcher," cries Snudge grimly. However Cpt Pocket believes Flogger's hopeful tale that they were on a long distance walk. Thus they are volunteered for the Birmingham to London walk, Snudge to accompany so the lads don't cadge a lift down the M1. There's an odd scene with a huge map before Snudge is given the slip. Also in this story: Geoffrey Palmer, Robert Dorning and Reginald Marsh
4.14 Happy New Year - Hut 29 are brewing whiskey of a sort, which they raffle off. New recruit Jock (Fulton Mackay) has brought the real stuff to celebrate "Mahogany" which Snudge bags as his raffle prize. In a weak story the lads devise ways of retrieving the real Scotch stuff. Watch out for a glimpse of Anthony Booth, and Geoffrey Palmer even sings one line!
4.15 The Invisible Man - Leonard Bone was in the pub when he should've been on guard duty. Flogger invents his twin brother Gerald Bone to try and get him off, this Man Who Never Was making Snudge suspect something "double dodgy" is going on
4.16 The Bowler Hatting of Pocket - "There's going to be some changes made... real discipline," shouts Captain Strickley (Martin Benson, evidently enjoying his part). It's enough to make Hut 29 worried, even Snudge, "now I know what Napoleon felt when he was sent to St Helens." Flogger "makes the necessary arrangements" to discredit Strickley but in a bit of slapstick is outmanoeuvred. However Pocket's 100% proof elderberry wine sees off the belligerent captain
4.17 The Soft Life - That well known Mayfair decorator Humphrey Hetherington (a camp Dick Emery) does an "arty crafty" makeover on "mildewy" Hut 29. Thus the lads now live in the lap of luxury, tea in bed in the morning, that sort of thing. Snudge however has not never seen the like. This is a fine theme for a plot, but it could have been even better developed
4.18 Son of Snudge - One of the best Army Game stories. Snudge returns from a psychology course having picked up new disciplinary ideas. Here's an enjoyable parody of 60's culture as he's no longer, argues Bootsie, "all lovely and orrible." Instead the amateur psychologist scolds his charges, "you've been naughty boys!" The lads look on rather blankly. His new approach is allegedly based on that eminent psychiatrist "Fred," and Hut 29 have never had it so good as Snudge tries to be like a father to his men. To teach him a lesson Bootsie deliberately behaves like a five year old (not a difficult job for him) as he goes to Snudge's home as his "son." Mrs Snudge (Marjorie Rhodes) fawns over him and 'daddy' tells him a goodnight story in a magnificently surreal scene as Bootsie lies in bed cuddling his teddy and his puppet doll that closely resembles Snudge. With mummy and daddy away at the pictures (a nice little take off of cinema making fun of tv only in reverse), Flogger enjoys celebrating Bootsie's sixth birthday with a lively party with nice grown up girls
4.19 A Rocket Called FRED - Fanshaw's Robot Explosive Device, destined for Woomera, ends up at Nether Hopping, and it's "terribly dangerous." Cpt Pocket's lecture on the rocket is little help for the lads who are ordered to fire it: "what's that ticking noise?"
4.20 Don't Send My Boy to Prison - Peanuts Perry (Bernard Cribbins) has escaped from prison and selected Hut 29 for his hideout. But a ten mile walk followed by spud bashing and Snudge out to make him Roasted Peanuts convinces him prison must be better than this
4.21 A Piece of Cake - Cpt Pocket wants to reconcile Hut 29 with CSM Snudge with a presentation cake, but Len and Bootsie inadvertently eat it, so "the spontaneous demonstration of affection" falls flat. Len bakes a replacement cake to which the vengeful Bootsie adds mahogany varnish with other goodies like Plaster of Paris. (Note: despite credits, Mario Fabrizi not in this)
4.22 Never Volunteer- " Wanted: volunteers for British Antarctic base and Snudge tricks Hut 29 into thinking they are to be film star Marilyn's bodyguard sending them on an experience they "won't never forget." As volunteers must have a criminal record, Flogger & Co try to provoke Snudge who refuses to bite. Snudge is a Twirp scrawls Bisley in an especially daft scene but great fun as the pair silently face each other out. Robbing Cpt Pocket's safe also fails miserably
4.23 A Marriage Has Been Arranged - Maisie is engaged to Merriweather, possibly so Hut 20 can bag the new married quarters, but Snudge is after it too, and approaches an estate agent (Dick Emery) about it. When Bootsie helps the shy Merriweather propose, he seems now engaged to her, then Flogger is. But "the picture of loveliness" settles for her old flame Fred (Brian Rawlinson)
4.24 The Good Old Days - A malingering Bootsie goes delirious and dreams he's betting on the Battle of Waterloo, then he gets transported to 1066, as part of the Arrow Squad in pursuit of William the Conk (John Wood), finally joining Pocket the ideal Boadicea against the invasion of Britain by Caesar, "et tu Bootsie," who has to be thrown to the Lyons, "Barbara, don't eat me!" A really imaginative script
4.25 A Question in the House - Over-the-top story of an MP (Donald Morley) who investigates cruelty that Hut 29 have written to him about. But, as that "fiend in human shape" Sgt.Snudge demonstrates, they make him look "a proper nana". Perhaps that's one thing an MP is capable of
4.26 The Claude Snudge Story - In this take-off of This is Your Life, Paul Carpenter plays 'Enoch Anderson' the host, relating Snudge's life story. The basis is his autobiography which has "not witheld no punches." His old headmaster praises him as "the cleverest boy I ever taught," until he realises he's talking about Snudge, who he concludes, was "unteachable"! A policeman calls him a "lazy layabout," and Col Jack Scarface Howard relates the day Snudge threw grenades at him. No wonder Snudge describes telly as "invented to fill the minds of vacant idiots... the screen of Satan"
4.27 April Fool - Snudge tricks Hut 29 with a promise of beer, so they of course try to get their own back. April Fool's Day gives good scope for plenty of practical jokes until Brigadier Statfold calls to ask Snudge to be his new RSM. But alas, Snudge thinks the man's a phoney and grossly insults the brigadier, "get your hair cut"
4.28 Goodnight Ladies - A sergeant and three privates are put up for the night, but noone realises they are women. Hut 29 is their resting place, and the lads returning from a night at the dance find "bints in the billet." The audience laughs a lot, to the climax when mice are pushed into the hut to eject the girls. Barbara Hicks plays the sergeant, proving what a fine comedy foil she was
4.29 One of the Lads - New recruit the Rt Hon Featherstonehaugh (Terence Longdon) his to mix with the "ribble rubble" of Hut 29. Snudge adopts a fawning attitude to his lordship, enabling the new boy to trick Snudge in helping Hut 29 to try and get out of camp. However none of his plans, like the recreation of The Wooden Horse, are at all successful
4.30 Holding the Baby - Back from London, Bisley has somehow acquired a baby which makes the most unrealistic baby noises you're ever likely to hear. Hut 29 get "lumbered" until the mother is found. Cpt Pocket's in-tray is useful as a cradle, though Snudge smells something "double dodgy". The plot is over complicated with a brigadier's inspection with Snudge accused of being the father when alleged mum Lucy is questioned. Best moment is when Rita Webb chats inconsequentially with Bootsie, asking him how he gets his washing so white. I also liked Snudge's attempt to soothe baby to sleep, "1- 2- silence!"
4.31 Penpals Anonymous - Bootsie is enjoying being miserable cos of Snudge, who is also feeling very lonely. Both decide to get a pen pal and coincidentally correspond with each other. The time comes to meet up, but it is hardly a success
4.32 Are You Receiving Me? - "Biggest ham in the district," Claude Snudge beginneth the first lesson on Wireless Telegraphy for Hut 29. They trick their teacher into thinking he's heard an SOS in this ever more tedious story
4.33 The Efficiency Expert - The brigadier (Jack Melford) appoints civilian Snape (Ronnie Stevens) to make Nether Hopping more efficient. Parades cancelled, and fatigues in what Snudge regards as "civilian flim-flammery." At first Hut 29 are all in favour, but when their work is sped up, "a dodgy trick" is needed. The new army trade union calls a strike
4.34 Bull By the Horn - So "diabolical" is Bootsie's trumpet playing, that Snudge ticks him off with, "you ain't no Phyllis Calvert." To impress the brigadier (Alexander Archdale), Bootsie is ordered to learn all the army bugle calls, being given the job of sounding reveille at 6am. By 9.30 all is still quiet. Note- there's a topical reference to that month's wedding of Princess Margaret
4.35 A Touch of the Other - Prisoner Bisley is guilty of writing 'orrible things on the wall. Operation Larceny nicks secret documents from Cpt Pocket's safe and makes Snudge believe Bisley has fled with them to Russia and Nikita. Snudge: "she's not only foreign, she's bald." Rumbling the plot, Snudge tries counter trickery and gets locked in the safe
4.36 The Feud - This starts poorly but builds up into a plot leaving you wanting more. Fisticuffs with the choirboys, but Bisley has run off so he is handed the white feather and sent to Coventry "like a Pariah Heep." And all because he'd promised his mum he wouldn't fight. There's a good scene with Bisley and Snudge eyeing each other, in their minds entertaining kind thoughts of the other. On an Open Day, the vicar (John Sharp) and his "unusual" choirboys, including 'Boy Soprano' (Arthur Mullard) tour round and have a punch up in Hut 29, and that gets Bisley's wild up
4.37 Out of This World - Was Bisley intended for this world? asks Snudge. As Bisley stokes the coke in the boiler he turns into the first man to go to the moon. A US General (Lionel Murton) has found the man to make that journey, "the cream of humanity," though Snudge later objects, "you're not even the sour milk." "I've done it," cries Bootsie, as he lands on the moon, but soon realises, "I want to go home." The inventive script introduces him to a moon man, Nel, who is Ted Lune alias Len, for everything up here is back to front. That includes Egduns, who crowns Bisley as a general, and as the top brass, Bisley has to do all the menial tasks, for everything is, as remarked, back to front. Of course it's only a dream, but I just loved those absurd space suits
4.38 Emergency Hut 29 - Bootsie catches flu, malingerin' claims Snudge, who then goes down with it himself. In isolation, it's all but the Bootsie and Snudge show. Bisley "ebbs away" and is wheeled away by Dr Flogger
5.1 The Return of the Pig (September 1960) - Opening story of the final series about Cynthia, the major's pet pig
5.3 The Do-Gooders - Hut 29 is in the dock for gambling. Cpt Pocket pleads with the magistrate: "they come from a broken hut." Brother Catchpole sees the light after hearing the testimony of Geoffrey Hibbert. The others decide that "if you can't beat em, join em." Except the suspicious Sgt Bullimore
5.4 The Marshall's Baton - As part of his education lecture, which Hut 29 are ordered to "enjoy," Cpt Harbottle brings a field marshall's solid gold baton. Major U-B puts it in his safe, but it ends up in his golf bag and even the pig swill. Best line: Awakening late from sleep, Catchpole sees Sgt Bullimore: "Marilyn, you've changed!"
5.5 Insurance - The visit of a newspaper investigating unhappiness in army camps, means all charges are suspended
5.6 It's in the Book - The major gets a shock when war memoirs by Major General Duffy Allington describe him as apathetic. He resolves to give up whisky and even Cynthia. "Alas, poor Cynthia, I knew her well," and other nice parodies of Shakespearian lines follow. Hut 29 have "gone to rack and ruin," and he tries to impose some discipline. To return things to normal Hoskins starts Operation Cynthia, in which the poor major believes the late Cynthia is haunting him. However his credentials are partly restored when fire officer Col Savage (Ballard Berkeley) is impressed by Hut 29's very unorthodox fire drill in which he is covered with sand and foam
5.7 Waltzing Matilda - Chubby Catchpole has no cards on his birthday, but then he receives a chiming watch, but it is really Sgt Bullimore's. The lads try to sort it out and after some odd muddles everyone is happy. Best moments are when several watches appear and the chiming tunes are wrongly identified
5.8 The Kindest Man in Britain - A masterpiece as Sgt Bullimore is unwittingly nominated by Hut 29 as The Kindest Man in Britain. Bullimore has to change character just a little!
Sergeant: " I'm cold and horrible."
Major: "You are the kindest man in Britain, that's an order!"
The Smiling Sergeant Major reads the newspaper headlines, as a news reporter (Keith Marsh) describes him "like a father to Hut 29." TV cameras record this unique phenomenon as an interviewer (Geoffrey Palmer) follows the Kindest Man around. His cover is blown when off camera he vents his true feelings, screaming "I'll roast you alive!"
5.10 (probably) Officer Material - Nice story of a directive sent asking for officer material. Somehow the lads get nominated and end up court martialling the poor old sergeant (William Hartnell)
5.13 The Artist - The Education Officer (Brian Oulton) arranges an Art Class which Hut 29 try to join for their own devious ends. To make it look genuine, Catchpole has to try and paint the sergeant.....

"Bootserella" - a panto from January 1960 showed in the variety series Chelsea at Nine - with Bill Fraser as an unlikely Fairy Godmother, Ted Lune as Prince Charming, and George (Skyport) Moon as Buttons. Also appearing Harry Fowler as the Mirror on the Wall, and Marion Ryan. Alfie Bass is the unattractive Bootserella who marries the gormless Prince
Menu

.

.

.

Bootsie and Snudge
Alfie Bass and Bill Fraser starred. Clive Dunn played his archetypal old man, Johnson, whilst the Hon Sec ("Tup Tup") was my favourite character! A pompous review of the first story (transmitted 23rd September 1960) claimed the scriptwriters "base all their visual - and most of their oral - gags on various forms of disability. No doubt this will have those who liked The Army Game falling over themselves with laughter. For myself I can only abhor the state of television comedy when it cannot rise above childish jokes and inane innuendoes.... there is very little to be said about Alfie Bass and Bill Fraser - they are obviously good businessmen otherwise they wouldn't agree to appear in a programme that lowers the standard of television comedy as much as this does." Anyway, what do critics know? This first programme came second in the national TAM ratings!
1.5 A DAY OFF (21 Oct 1960)- Off on a staff treat on the Romney Marshes there's topical conversation en route on the inefficiency of the railways and speculation such as did Yuri Gagarin have a corridor on his rocket?! A "nightmare" journey in the cold ends at Appledore in the sidings- "we've been shunted!" Out into the blizzard and a walk through the snow to their deserted destination, a fascinating set of railway tracks at a cardboard station
1.8 BLACK THURSDAY (11 Nov 1960)- It's Bootsie's day to clean the front steps. Interesting opportunity for several ageing actors to talk to him - can anyone identify them?
1.13 BATH NIGHT (16 Dec 1960) - Friday Night is time for Snudge's weekly bath, but tonight "pop" goes the geyser. So he has to use the hip bath with Bootsie and Johnson in attendance. So how come he is still bathing in it after dark, outside the club's front door?
1.16 THE HAIRDRESSERS (6 Jan 1961)- Big Harry (Arthur Mullard) slips Bootsie £1 to "stick up your nose". When the horse wins Bootsie has to have a close shave
1.18 LOST LORD (20 Jan 1961)- Normally it's Snudge who takes Lord Hathaway to the park "the high spot of his day." But even though "he don't know the 'ighway code" Bootsie is ordered to take him today. There he finds romance but loses his Lordship in Soho. Inconsequential story
1.24 POT BLACK (3 Mar 1961)- Bootsie needles Snudge into a snooker game- Tup Tup joins Snudge whilst Old Johnson 'helps' Bisley. A lot of "jiggery-pokery" in this dull interlude
1.35 THE PIANIST (19 May 1961)- Bootsie admires a bust of famous pianist "Lipst" (Liszt). "Put a 10 gallon hat on 'im," adds Snudge satirically, "and 'e looks like Maverick!" This is a touching character study by Barry Took and Marty Feldman of a retired concert pianist called Anton Borovik ("and His Harmonica Rascals?"! queries Snudge). Anton is trying to practise for a comeback, but whilst Bisley plays Chopsticks for him, it looks as though "he don't want to play no more." Some nice sequences as Old Johnson sings at the piano, then Mr Montague Bisley dreams of his own concert prowess as he plays "Nocturne in Opus 2 by Lipst in Flat B." Then Snudge, who believes "in hiding my light on in a burning bush" shows Bootsie the way with his hearty rendition of "Ain't She Sweet." After this interlude, since Bisley has some strange "rappaport" with Anton, he tries to give him confidence to play at the grand concert....One of the classics of the series
1.37 PEONY DAY (2 June 1961)- June 2nd is a flag day and the guest star Honor Blackman encourages generous giving
1.40 BACK PAY (23 June 1961)- "Is there something in the wind?" Bisley reads regulations governing Old Johnson's wages, which is strange as for all these years he's not been paid anything in cash: "justice will be done." Having engaged a solicitor (Keith Pyott) the Hon Sec explains that it is Snudge who is actually responsible for Johnson's pay. He'll have to have £5 a month deducted from his pay, but as Bootsie owes the solictor's fee of 20gns and Johnson has to pay all his back tax, no-one's happy: "this is a terrible injustice!"
2.18 PUNCH UP AT THE IMPERIAL (22 Feb 1962) - The club needs "livening up" so cricketer Rev Pennyfather (Barry Took) brings his club, actually a youth club for a tournament of billiards, ping-pong, darts, boxing and even dancing
3.17 BEING NICE TO BOOTSIE (7 Mar 1963) - Frothing, that's what Bootsie is doing- it's distemper decides Snudge, though later he equates it with some disease of camels. The doctor prescribes Be Nice to Bisley, the result being an attempt at slapstick, with flour and eggs
Comedy Menu

.

.

.

The Adventures of Aggie (1956)
starring Joan Shawlee as Aggie,
an American fashion buyer who travels the world.
Producer: Michael Sadlier.
A cinema release was made up of three episodes entitled Born for Trouble. As well as Joan Shawlee, the cast included Peter Reynolds, Greta Gynt, Elizabeth Allan, Stephen Boyd, Peter Illing, Bill Nagy, and Harold Kasket. I am not sure which three episodes were selected, one was probably #22 London Story, but the writers were given as Doreen Montgomery and Derek Frye, Desmond Davis as director. Anyone seen any sight of this film?

16 Diamond in the Rough (35mm film)
with Maurice Durant, Frank Henderson, James Drake, Pauline Drewett, and Guy Deghy.
TV Times synopsis:
"Aggie is in Amsterdam, so perhaps it is not surprising that she gets mixed up with some very shady characters. Someone she knows has found a way of making diamonds by a chemical process, a discovery that the diamond merchants won't be pleased to hear about!"

For episode details of this British made series, please go to the Classic TV archive
To Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Glencannon (1957)
My reviews of:
3 Double Double Deal and Trouble
14 The Masked Monster
17 The Rolling Stone
35 Captain Snooty of the Yacht
. . . . . . . . . 39 films starring Thomas Mitchell about old seafaring Glencannon, Chief Engineer of a freighter which has adventures in every port around the world. But most of the filming was done at Elstree. Patrick Allen was co-star, whilst other regulars in most of the stories were Barry Keegan, and Charles Carson. Several others had occasional roles, including John Gabriel and Lally Bowers. Georgie Wood played Svenson the ship's cook, but admitted "the producer held the theory that too many cooks spoil the ship or that cooks should be smelt and not seen." The widowed mother of the original creator of Glencannon, Guy Gilpatrick promised "When I have seen them, my life will be complete." What did she utter after seeing them, I wonder. For the reception the stories got was generally unimpressive. "Australia really loves it... California really loathes it!" Georgie Wood claimed. "Imagine my horror," wrote critic Guy Taylor. "I suppose one must admire the producers for attempting a series with humour - but the result is like a soggy cake which simply refuses to rise. It lacks inventiveness, production idea and the script is appalling." This critic had seen the first story screened on A-R London, which was 30 "Love Story." Anyway, with a verdict like that, it was back to the drawing board for Gross-Kassne Ltd.
A modern verdict from Colin Smith concurs: "I have to say the best thing about this struggling series was the theme song. It did not stand up very well and came across as a sort of Sergeant Bilko goes to Sea, as Glencannon spends the most part of the episodes scheming. Thomas Mitchell was a good character actor but in Glencannon he is somewhat overbearing with his Scottish accent. Perhaps it seemed more entertaining in the late fifties, but viewing it now I have to admit to being disappointed." Certainly today, it's something of a curiosity, for it was that rare attempt to put a tv comedy series on to film. Originally there was no canned laughter, but some prints were later re-edited to warn you when you were supposed to laugh. If nothing else, Glencannon included some fine performances from guests such as: Jon Pertwee in the title role of Champagne Charlie, Jack Train in Man with a Mermaid, John Laurie as the late Mr MacCrummon in The Loving Cup, Alfie Bass in The Ancient Mariner, Irene Handl in Three Lovesick Swains of Gibraltar, Warren Mitchell in The Yogi of West Ninth Street, Rupert Davies as a Russian in The Ailing Turtle, Arthur Lowe as The Mean Man of Genoa and Reginald Beckwith in The Wailing Lady of Limehouse.
Question- Name the actor pictured, walking past a Wanted poster. Oh, the Wanted man is none other than Glencannon! Answer
Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

3 Double Double Deal and Trouble
Casablanca- Glencannon is late returning from shore leave. There he is, being chased by police! Montgomery, perhaps kindly, knocks him out, and drags him on board the Inchcliffe Castle.
Next morning, Glencannon is catching up on his sleep. is this an evil spirit come to haunt him? No it's his double, the man Montgomery flattened, "never seen anything to equal this." The double is Harry Mork, ex-Marines, now on the run, he's gotta get to Genoa.
Glencannon thinks up a money making scheme...
Mork is the chief engineer on a US ship. "I'm gonna have you pinched," he tells poor Montgomery, after his reckless action. And he'll do the same to the owners of the ship. Glencannon proposes to Captain Ball that they placate Mork by taking him where he wants to go, to Genoa. Mork coughs up his £30 fare, that includes a bit on the side for Glencannon.
"I don't trust him," Bosun Hughes confides, but actually both rogue doubles are trying to doublecross each other.
At Marseilles, the Inchliffe docks, Glencannon flogs Mork his naval uniform, but planning also to turn him in for the reward money. But in fact Hughes has shown enterprise of his own and turned him in, is that Glencannon or Mork that the police now hold in custody? Even the police are confused. And Johnny Hughes can't tell 'em apart either. Bribery, that's in character for Glencannon, that will sort 'em out. But both men are equally devious here, so then Hughes defines one infallible test, only one of them can pass this one, play the bagpipes!

(review of a 16mm film print)
Glencannon Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.
14 The Masked Monster

Newspaper headlines read "Masked Monster - Another Victim".
Glencannon's nephew Duncan (Percy Herbert) has taken up wresting as the above named character, and he's so good he's bound to win.
So Glencannon bets on him, so of course he loses, but even worse injuring poor Glencannon. He is suffering so much that he threatens to sue Daninos, the owner of the ring (Sydney Tafler). This is another scheme doomed to failure, but Daninos persuades him to do some smuggling for him. Glencannon however has other plans.
"Everyone gets what he deserves in the end," he pronounces philosphically

Glencannon Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.


17 The Rolling Stone
On his birthday in Tangier, Glencannon is depressed because he's nearly broke and his 108 year old Uncle Jock (Tony Simpson) shows no signs of dying. "If he doesn't die soon, there'll be nothing left to inherit." At least, his two cousins, Duncan (Percy Herbert) and Douglas (Rufus Cruickshank) are tricked into signing over their share of any fortune. Thus "he feels wonderful" on board ship as he looks forward to seeing Uncle Jock again. "A bolt from the blue," a villager tells Glencannon when he gets near home. He assumes it's death at last and buys a tombstone for the old boy. But the prices of the dealer (Peter Maddern) at the Milngavie Junkyard moderate his transports, and he purchases for ten bob a rusty anchor. How about this epitaph?- "Here rots the bones of Jock Glencannon, Whom grim death from us took..." However it turns out Jock only nearly died, and he believes a bird has saved his life. So he's altering his will in favour of the Rehabilitation and Retirement Centre for Stray Birds! But Glencannon is not going to be "cut out of my inheritance for a suicidal bird," and he puts a macaw into Jock's home which promptly chews Jock's pound notes. "I'll no be changin' me will," cries an angry Jock. But "it's love at first sight" for him, in the storyline we'd always anticipated. He's to wed an even older lady who claims to have the secret of everlasting life

Glencannon Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

35 Captain Snooty of the Yacht
with Clive Morton in the title role

In Antibes, Glencannon is splashing out on one thousand franc lunches, for he has espied a moneymaker, a spinning top. It's a free giveaway from 5 Oceans Foods, and Glencannon knows how to use it well. The crew are soon hooked, "you just do what the top says," whether it's PUT TWO, ALL PUT, or the one you want TAKE ALL. Glencannon has soon grabbed everyone's money.
"A delicate experiment" enables the top to read whatever Glencannon wants. Now he needs a sucker. A "paperfaced heavyweight" is Cmdr Sugden (Clive Morton) owner of a yacht moored in the same harbour. He's an irascible fellow, at present fuming about the coal dust emanating from Incliffe Castle that is sending dust all over his nice yacht. Glencannon sends him packing, a bucket on his napper, but is that wise?
For Castle (John Baron, sic) of 5 Oceans Foods is sending his assistant Virgil Hazlitt (John Gabriel) to investigate a complaint from their best customer, one Sugden.
Glencannon preempts his sacking by resigning. Now he's free to take his own action against 'Captain Snooty.' Bluffing his way on to the yacht, he pretends to be a wealthy restaurant owner who will blacklist Sugden's products. Sugden offers $5,000 compensation, but this is refused. Instead "I'll spin you for it." Sugden is renowned for his good luck, so he agrees. And loses. And loses. "That's the 73rd consecutive pot you've won!" A lesser man would have suspected foul play, but gambling fever must have grabbed Snooty. The stakes are only interrupted when Hazlitt turns up, but even he can't halt the frenzy.
Having fetched more cash from the bank, the challenge is renewed next day. Half a million up, and Glencannon wangles it so he gets back his old job for life. But he knows not when to stop. One final fling, a million dollars. Snooty has finally worked out how Glencannon keeps winning. "It worked!" he cries. "My luck's come back to me." Glencannon takes his loss philosophically.
A story full of holes, perhaps not writer Basil Dawson's finest

Glencannon Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Comedy Menu

.

.

.

World of Wooster -
The BBC's triumphant success in bringing the PG Wodehouse stories to life,
starring Ian Carmichael as Bertie and Dennis Price as Jeeves.
It would be unfair to compare the series with the later more lavishly made LWT masterpiece with Fry and Laurie, but this Michael Mills production has its own period style and moves at a lively pace. Carmichael was much better than I had remembered as the rather stuttering Bertie Wooster, whilst Dennis Price surely had the finest role of his career.

The Delayed Exit of Claude and Eustace -
Bertie's cousins Claude (Timothy Carlton) and Eustace (Simon Ward) have to "pinch things to get elected" and so it comes about that Bertie is given the caps and a topper they have snaffled.
An unfortunate time for teetotal and general all round kill-joy to call, Sir Humphrey ("janitor in some sort of loonybin"). He's rather irritable today, as someone had snatched his hat, and even more annoyed when he spots said article on Bertie's hatstand. Bertie had wanted to keep in his good books as he's after the fair Marian, Sir H's daughter.
Aunt Agatha (the wonderful Fabia Drake) is proposing to ship the errant Claude and Eustace off to SA and requests, or rather orders, Bertie to look after them until their ship departs.
2am and the three are out on the town! Claude finds his "soulmate" whilst Eustace also meets his "affinity", and both are named Marian! With love in the air they simply cannot emigrate, and adopt disguises to avoid detection. Marian becomes "worn to a shadow" with their attentions- it's more than time for Jeeves to don his thinking cap!
Next day Bertie awakes to a "pip pip" from Claude. He's straight off to SA. "Cheerie-bye," adds Eustace- they're both chasing after Marian, who they understand is going to SA. Or at least that's the impression Jeeves had given them. Effusive thanks from Bertie.

Indian Summer of an Uncle (surviving fragment) - Mrs Wilberforce (Beryl Reid) is a guest at Bertie's dinner. "Hello you old crook," she breezily greets Jeeves. Bertie's other companion is Lord 'Piggy' Yaxley, who turns out to be an old friend of the good lady. "Like deep calling to deep," they happily exchange details of their ailments just like "a sick parade"

Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Larkins (ATV)
This comedy ran for 6 series with a total of 40 programmes starring Peggy Mount as Ada, David Kossof as Alf. The rest of the family were Eddie (Shaun O'Riordan), Ruth Trouncer as Joyce, married to son-in-law Jeff (Ronan O'Casey). Next door neighbour Myrtle Prout was played by Hilary Bamberger. However it was Hetty Prout, played by Barbara Mitchell who made a bigger impression.
Bill Ward was the first producer.
What's the number of next door neighbour's the Prout's house? Answer
1.1 Wide Open House (Friday September 19th 1958, 10.15-11pm- no Barbara Mitchell) - Ronan O'Casey introduces viewers to the Larkins family, followed by a nice point from his tv wife, observing he was talking to noone- "I surely hope not," he retorts. Today's the day that Eddie comes home after National Service and Ada's preparations are costing Alf a fortune. There's a gigantic party, Alf worried about the cost, and then about MP's who call for Eddie and get a taste of Ada's acid tongue. But the MP's really want Alf for desertion in 1919, what will the neighbours think?
1.2 Gun-In-Law (September 26th 1958, 10.15-10.45pm) - Jeff has to entertain four obnoxious kids in his role as a wild west writer, it's rather unfortunate that Eddie's prospective employer has been invited to the house at the same time. Amazingly, it turns out all right for them, though Alf and Jeff's agent Maxie (Warren Mitchell) wind up tied to a totem pole
1.3 Catastrophe (October 3rd 1958) - Ada is minding a prize cat and featherbeds it so much Alf rebels, "it's either that cat or me." Eddie is even having to take the thing for a walk, on a lead, so Alf and Jeff try to make it run away, but it keeps returning. When it does disappear, the family search for Prince brings in five strays
1.4 Angry Young Man (October 10th 1958- no Barbara Mitchell) - Publishers vie for Jeff's novel, finding a bohemian family, of sorts. Burlington Thrush gets a taste of an angry young man, in a rather contrived story
1.5 Telly-Ho! (October 17th 1958 -this story introduces Sam Prout)- nice digs at the cinema v tv battle. Alf's slide show isn't going down at all well with Ada who doesn't want a "one channel magic lantern," so she pops next door to watch their telly. To persuade Alf to buy a set Ada has to use "tact," not a commodity she has much of, and in the end she loses patience and buys a set anyway. Alf sends it straight back. But after Ada reads about the evils of tv, and Alf watches round at the Prout's, roles are reversed. Poor George (John Barrard) the bewildered delivery man brings a set only to have it sent away yet again. Finally Eddie cracks it, he's on tv tonight he tells his parents, 9.30 Fact or Fiction. But it's fiction, and he has to create some interference to hide his deception
1.6 Ale and Farewell (October 24th 1958)- Alf has been "inaugurated," and Ada gets "a nasty feeling." Alf having promised to sign the pledge if he ever gets tipsy again, Ada resorts to "weapons of war," doctoring his drinks. At the height of the booze-up, in drops the vicar...
1.7 Christmas Special- Christmas with the Larkins (Boxing Day 1958, 10.15pm)- "Lady, I don't know no Christmas," tv repairman George (see #1.5) informs Ada, who promises him "a proper Christmas." But whether this misery gets one is open to doubt. The best moment is when Alf tries to defrost a pathetic looking frozen turkey with a hair dryer

Series 2 (February/March 1959, Fridays at 10.15pm). The cast was as before, George Roderick now a regular cast member.
2.1 Strictly Commercial (originally scheduled for Jan 26th 1959, but eventually began this new series on Monday February 2nd 1959)- Ada's been seduced by the chance to star in a tv ad for Zuds, though Alf's against it until he's offered the chance to make an ad for "real beer." Sabotage is the order of the day when only one of their commercials can be approved, so there's the wash coming out all black and the beer tasting of frothy bubbles, but also one final neat commercial
2.2 Teddy for Eddie - Great stuff, as teddy boys and razor merchants and cherchez la femme are the new Eddie. He hangs out with "a pretty racy gang," Spider (Derren Nesbitt), Dicey, Splint and Rat Face (Larry Martyn), plus the entrancing Marilyn. When they come round to Eddie's house a rival gang, The Beetles, turn up, and it's left to Big Ada, The Scourge of the Waterfront, to prove the measure of 'em all
2.3 Haul for One - "The poor man's Stanley Matthews" has finally won on the Pools, bringing dreams of champagne, new houses etc, but no record win, only a "fleabite" of £40. Alf even wants to keep that to himself, nearly resulting in legal action
2.4 Gift Horsepower - Ada wants a washing machine for her birthday, so Alf must stump up the twenty quid cash for a second hand one. Eddie is sent to buy it but a spiv (Sam Kydd) sells him an old car instead. So Alf has to get a de luxe washer for Ada, but what he doesn't tell her, it's only on seven days approval. Ada is so thrilled and grateful to dear Alf, until she has to do the entire street's washing. Alf and Jeff devise a plan to get the machine returned anyway, but Eddie wins hands down when he does up the old banger and takes Ada on a happy drive to show off to the neighbours
2.5 Total Welfare - Hetty Prout's in hospital, so Sam Prout "never had it so good" being pampered by Ada, that is until Hetty's mum (Anita Sharp Bolster) turns up, taking over the reins. "She ain't 'uman," and the idea of someone to stand up to Ada's a good one, but the script never quite gets round to it
2.6 Very Important Parent - Meet Jeff's pop (Alan Gifford). It's a squeeze getting him into Buttercup their car, and a strain having to dress up posh to impress him

Series 3 (commencing Monday February 8th 1960 at 8pm)
3.1 Home Win - Here comes the rent collector (Wilfred Brambell)! No payment as the place is in need of repairs. The landlord (John Salew) rather than fork out the money gives their house away... to the Prouts. And the Prouts' house to the Larkins. Not very funny
3.2 All the Answers - Blame Shaw Taylor. He gets the family hooked on the quiz Dotto. However when the tv goes on the blink, Eddie passes the time by attending night school. His teacher Miss Prunella Forbes encourages Eddie's genius and sells him an encyclopedia, 36 volumes, and soon Ada and Alf go "information crazy." With broadened horizons, Ada starts foreign cooking while Alf tries 'sychoanalysis.' Luckily Jeff buys a new tv, and it's back to Dotto
3.3 A Fiddle in Froth - Alf is elected Mug of the Year by the Fluids, then wins 12 crates of beer in the pub raffle. Ada puts her foot down demanding they are sent back, so Alf dreams up a scheme whereby Eddie 'steals' the beer and hides it in the shed, but of course though it almost succeeds, it's a doomed disaster
3.4 Come Cleaner - Ada has no sales resistance, and instead of a 5 guinea vacuum cleaner pays for a swish one 85 guineas on installments. How to tell Alf? When the new cleaner accidentally ends up in the scout jumble sale, Alf buys it for five bob but still ends up with the sharp end of Ada's tongue
3.5 Stranger Than Friction - "Interfering" Joyce then Alf call Ada "nagging," that leads to some soul searching and a resolve on the path of reform. Classic Peggy Mount as she attempts a smile and tells her family, "you can do exactly as you please." Trying to be nice, she's "straight out of Dracula," and eveyone waits "for the blow to fall," maybe she's trying to poison them? It's just good news when she becomes again the old fearsome Ada
3.6 Operation Neighbour- Give and take, that's true friendship, but when Ada and Hetty fall out, it's war. Everyone else attempts to stop the Cold War, firstly a rigged radio record request, but Eddie blunders and plays You Rascal You. Next a forged letter of apology which brings on even less togetherness

Brief details of the other series, which I haven't seen since original transmission.
thankfully series 4 (September/ October 1960) is now out on dvd- 4.1 Unlucky Strike / 4.2 Little Big Brother/ 4.3 Gamblin' Fever/ 4.4 Frightful Nightful / 4.5 Match or Scratch / 4.6 Well Turned Warm
After a long break the programme returned for a fifth series. Peggy Mount and David Kossof continued to star, with Barbara Mitchell the only other survivor. Hugh Paddick played Osbert Rigby-Soames. Alan Tarrant continued as producer, Dicky Leeman directed.
5.1 Cafe Ole (Saturday November 9th 1963, 8.25-9.00pm- some regions showed it at 8.10-8.50pm)
5.2 Teenage Terror (November 16th 1963)
5.3 Darts and Flowers (November 23rd 1963)
5.4 Help Wanted (November 30th 1963)
5.5 Beatle Drive (December 7th 1963) - with Peter Murray as himself, Annette Robertson as Judy, Hugh Walters, David Jackson, and Willi Payne
5.6 Trading Stampede (December 14th 1963)
5.7 Strained Relations (December 21st 1963)- Ronan O'Casey returned for this story, still as Jeff. Also with Hugh Walters, David Jackson, Willi Payne and Derry Power
5.8 Saloon Barred (December 28th 1963) - with Hazel Coppen, Norman Chappell, Derry Power, David Jackson and Willi Payne
The final series was in the summer of 1964, main cast as for the fifth series.
6.1 Saloon Barred (Saturday July 11th 1964, 9.45-10.20pm)- with Willie Payne, Derry Power, and David Jackson
6.2 Celebration Blues (July 18th 1964) with Eileen Way, David Jackson, Willie Payne, Derry Power
6.3 Gypsy's Warning (July 25th 1964)
6.4 Finders Keepers (August 1st 1964) - with Willie Payne, Derry Power, David Jackson and Frank Hawkins
6.5 Counter Attraction (August 8th 1964) - with Andrew Crawford as Joe Mackenzie, Toni Gipin as Jeannie, Willie Payne, Derry Power, and David Jackson
6.6 Dizzy Rich (August 15th 1964) with Willie Payne, Derry Power, David Jackson, Hugh Morton, Arnold Diamond, Donna Pearson, Hazel Bainbridge, Raymond Duparc and Kenny Powell
6.7 Country Style (August 22nd 1964, 9.30-10.05pm) - last ever story with Willie Payne, Derry Power, David Jackson.
To Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Mr Digby Darling
An early black/white series from the new Yorkshire TV that saw Rag Trade combatants Peter Jones and Sheila Hancock reunited.
This series however saw them as happily married-to-the-job boss (Roland Digby) and jill of all trades, secretary (Thelma Teesdale). Well at least, he's wedded to a lazy office life in slippers, whilst she sees to his every need, unfulfilled. The whole thing's really made by the ever reliable Peter Jones' whimsical touches.

1.1 The Efficiency Expert (January 6th 1969) - "Another Monday morning, thank goodness!" declares Digby as he arrives for work. Thelma is celebrating "ten happy years together," but it won't be for much longer if Chambers the new Efficiency Expert has his say- "before you know it, cccckkkk, you're redundant." But if Digby believes he's "got nothing to fear," he's a born optimist!
1.2 The Facts of Life - In the hands of Digby, the Slugdown publicity is "tear jerking nonsense about slugs being the gardeners' best friend." But poor Digby is confused as he is supposed to be teaching son Dominic the facts of life. After Thelma helps him by inquiring about the book "Childbirth Can Be Fun," in a splendid scene Mr Trumper somehow thinks Digby is to be a father again: "just because there's snow on the roof, that doesn't mean the boiler's gone out!"
1.4 The New Secretary - It's time for Thelma to be "upgraded" to the Sixth Floor at Executive Level. Parting of the ways is a wrench until Digby is introduced to Thelma's replacement, the shapely Betty (Wanda Ventham)
1.5 The Evacuee (The Mother-in-Law)- "Mr Digby is a living saint," declares Thelma. But not when a colleague is being billeted in his office. "It will be a bit of a squeeze," admits Mr Trumper. Gladys 'Ma' Lightfoot (Marjorie Rhodes) is an old acquaintance: "time's done the dirty on you," she tells Digby. There's only one solution- move her, but where to? How about "the old folks' cleaning room" in the basement? But it's Digby and Thelma who eventually have to find new accommodation as they end up working in the cloakrooms
1.6 Drunk and Disorderly - Roland's wife has been away so last night he let his hair down. Now he's got to appear in court. "Rid-o-Rats's Bonnie and Clyde" have to invent yet another excuse for the afternoon off. Then it turns out boss Mr Trumper is on the jury. All of which gives Peter Jones the chance to offer a snatch of Sidney Carton's Farewell Speech
Comedy Menu

.

.

.

George and the Dragon
Sid James met his match in Peggy Mount in ATV's series which ran from 1966.
Perhaps Keith Marsh as Ralph the gardener enjoyed his finest moment, whilst John le Mesurier vainly battled to keep the peace between George... and the Dragon

Series One

Series Two

Series Three

Series Four

Funniest moment in the series: 2.7 when George ends up with his date- The Dragon.
Dud episode: several, I'm afraid, perhaps 1.4 Night Night Sleep Tight is the corniest.

Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

George and the Dragon - Series One

Series 1: 1 George Meets the Dragon (19th November 1966)- The arrival of Miss Gabrielle Dragon, enough to terrify any mere man, chauffeur (Sid James) included
2 The Not So Tender Trap- Whoops! After a night of boozing George ('Kingsley') has proposed to Miss Dragon, and what's worse, she's accepted!
3 The Unexpected Sport - With the colonel's leg in plaster, George is volunteered to play polo at Windsor for the Waterlilies. Naturally he places a bet on the opposition
4 Night, Night, Sleep Tight - Inconsequential effort about George and the Dragon alone at night, with the Colonel and Ralph away. Bumps in the night etc etc
5 Royal Letter - When Gabrielle sends an Xmas card to the Duke of Edinburgh, it's nice to get his reply, except it's a forgery typed by George and signed by Ralph....
6 A Merry Christmas? - After present giving, the four disperse to friends for Christmas. But George's intimate season with Irma (Yootha Joyce) is a frost, so he returns to the colonel's to find everyone else there too. The end is stolen by three young carol singers

To Series Two
George and the Dragon Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

George and the Dragon - Series Two

Series 2: 1 (20th May 1967)- This could be described as a tragedy when George breaks Gabrielle's treasured heirlooms, her mum's old records. She decides to say farewell, but at the bus station cafe, first George then Ralph and finally The Colonel each persuade her to return- to the amazement of a lorry driver (John Junkin) who's trying to chat her up himself
2- It's Sunday morning with George and Gabrielle discussing religion, in a way that just wouldn't be done these days. There's £1 on it that the 'Black Sheep' won't be dragged by the Dragon back to the fold of the church
3- Has Gabrielle a French man in her room? Not quite- she's trying to learn French since she's won a trip for two to Paris. George accompanies her on a panic ridden flight
4- Gabrielle requests George shows her "how to do it." When George realises she actually wants him to teach her how to drive the Colonel's Bentley, he has to agree when the colonel orders him to do so. When she bumps into the car of the Chief Constable, George gets his own back by convincing her she'll be sent to prison
5- Sonia Dresdel displays a fine comic touch as Priscilla, an old friend of the Colonel's. A battle of wills between her and Gabrielle is the highlight of this, the best of the series. "Dartmoor is a holiday camp" compared with her new regime
6- Men have greater willpower than women, argues George. To prove he's quite wrong Gabrielle proposes they both do without food. After two days both are wavering. This is familiar stuff, but in the hands of experts, it's quite palatable
7 - George is Aries, Gabrielle Virgo, as they check their horoscopes. Why not seek their destiny through the Confidential Friendship Bureau? It's run by gushing Brian Oulton, in a superb little cameo. George asks him- "what have you got in stock?" You can easily guess that George is going to finish up with Gabrielle as his date, but there again, it's awfully well done

To Series Three

George and the Dragon Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

George and the Dragon - Series 3:

1- (6th January 1968)"England Expected, and I did," explains Gabrielle. It's Dinky Dragon's army reunion, and she tricks George into thinking that one of her mates (Julia McCarthy) was the victim of Rumpo Russell's wartime romances
2 - After a picnic, George and the Dragon have to spend the night sharing a room. They end up in the dock, and look who's on the bench- the Colonel!
3 - Harpers Department Store (A bit of ATV nostalgia there!) is offering a £10 tv in its sale, "first come, first served." George is first in the queue the night before, but will that stop the Dragon?
4 - Lots are drawn by George and the Dragon to see who wins the continental holiday. The bigger cheat wins. After which George hides in Miss Dragon's bedroom to discover her secret hidden in there. It turns out to be her own giant bikini!
5 - Missing here is the setting of the Colonel's house, and also much fun, as George and the Dragon attempt to travel by train to London. They have a topical rant against British Railways: "Beeching must go!" when their train to Waterloo is axed- but as they're filmed at Welwyn North they should have been making for King's Cross! Peter Howell gets the butt of their complaints and Tom Baker has a brief filmed role as a humble porter
6 - Tracing her family tree, the Dragon decides she's related to a French duke who went under the guillotine in 1783. George plays along with her, 'discovering' his portrait, which is really a copy of The Laughing Cavalier with a few crude additions
7 - Pay Day Parade, but George gets nothing, in fact he still owes the colonel seven and six! He decides to raise some cash by buying, with the Dragon's £20, an old banger and then selling it for scrap, at a profit. Unfortunately it's the colonel's Bentley that's carted off to the scrapyard crusher, causing Miss Dragon, in a fit of contrition, to get "religious mania"
To Series Four
George and the Dragon Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

George and the Dragon - Series 4:
1 - I'm Backing Britain campaign means dock leaf tea and seaweed cigarettes at the Colonel's home. It's enough to convince him and Sid and Ralph to smuggle in brandy, garlic and fags, but the Dragon will have none of it, so they resort to a surreptitious midnight 'beano' in the greenhouse
2 - Gunners' fan George is ejected by a policeman (Geoffrey Palmer) from the West Ham cup tie. But the Dragon procures a ticket for the replay for both of them
3 - Birthday presents for Miss Dragon, but has George forgotten? No he seems to have remembered with a lovely fur stole. But it's not really for her, only left over from George's night on the tiles, and George hasn't the guts to tell the Dragon. Then the owner Sandra returns to claim it
4 - "Help yourself to brandy and cigars," the expansive colonel tells George. Gabrielle has told the colonel that George has only days to live, in this so familiar storyline, but it's good to watch how some old pros get the very most out of it
5 - This week's misunderstanding- Gabrielle Dragon is having an affair with Ralph the gardener! Actually it's only Ralph who has named his "tose," a cross between a tulip and a rose, after Gabrielle. Whilst quite enjoyable, the script never exploits the full potential of this fun situation
6 - George is really and truly in love with the fair Angela, but sad to say her father, the brigadier (William Kendall) opposes their marriage. So George announces himself at her window, to elope, but only ends up with a black eye. The series ends however on a happier note, for now Miss Dragon is in love- with the brigadier!
George and the Dragon
Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

THE RAG TRADE (BBC) - The acme of corny vulgarity, with Peter Jones, Miriam Karlin, Reg Varney, Sheila Hancock.
1 (1961) Ritz Plaza hotel is the venue for Fenner to meet his American client but unfortunately the slacks he brings are "bullet proof." A more entertaining scene is when the staff have to impress said American by posing as French workers
2 Terry Scott plays a buyer for golliwogs the girls have made on the side. To impress him they divert Fenner to the police station, so they can ply the buyer with drink. Rather tiddly they are, when Fenner returns...
3 A rush polka dot sample means Reg and then Mr Fenner have to look after Brenda's baby. All very predictable, but the best laugh is when Sheila Hancock has to model the dress which is not quite finished
4 Carol's wedding dress has to be made up from material for Fenner's urgent order for Arcadia Fashions
5 After lateness at the impossibly early start of 8am, Fenner decides to install a clocking-in system which means our workers start getting short pay, so Paddy organises a bet on a dead cert, leading to lots of subterfuge as Fenner seeks to impress an important buyer. The nag wins the race, but Lily loses the betting slip in one of the new dresses, which leads to them all being ripped apart right in front of the boss, but such, er, conscientiousness, appears to impress the buyer!
6 It's that familiar "Everybody Out!" after Fenner proposes an automated snack machine. Worker sabotage results in some well worn slapstick until Lily discovers buttons can be used in lieu of shillings. So when Fenner belatedly agrees to the machine's removal, it's Everybody Out again
7 With Fenner running a temperature of 102, first Nurse Lily then the other Brothers attempt a quick cure. In his absence they design a new dress for a tv star using metallic paint to make it shimmer. Not a success!
8 Fenner must have a sample ready for his client by 3.30, but Carol has borrowed it during the lunch hour in order to impress her sailor boy friend. Now it's 3.30 and she's still not back!
2.1 (1962) Fenner's payment for the electicity bill is diverted to the staff's new one armed bandit, but though he is drugged, a Mr Basset still cuts the power off, whilst a drugged Reg attempts to impress a client
2.2 Fun at the salon of haute couturier Norman Digby (Patrick Cargill) when Lily's doggy Dinky loses Fenner an important order. The staff try and flog the £100 dress at their own fashion parade, to one of Digby's artistocrat clients
2.3 - An outbreak of staff sickness can be traced to handsome Dr Blake (Noel Trevarthen), though it leads to the arrival of the factory inspector, who thinks Fenner is running a sweatshop
2.4 - New factory inspector (June Whitfield) is the receipient of a number of unwelcome surprises
2.5 - After overtime on Paddy's birthday, Mr Fenner's empty flat is ideal for a party. He returns home unexpectedly to find the aftermath of an orgy. But his mother-in-law (the towering Fabia Drake) finds Fenner there and she demands explanations, which he quite fails to satisfactorily provide
2.6 - Reg shaves Fenner, then poses as a Chinaman, as the girls earn extra cash by running a laundry
2.7 - Rehearsals for the Fenner Fashions Concert Party. Hugh Paddick and Ronnie Barker also appear
Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Brief Reviews of
other comedies

ITV:
At Last The 1948 Show
No that's Me Over Here
Never Mind the Quality
Howerd's Hour
Tales of Men's Shirts (Ampex)
BBC:
White Heather Club
Telegoons
Christmas Night with Stars 1964
Frankie Howerd Show (1966)
Sykes 		Seven Faces of Jim
Oh Brother
Misleading Cases
Black and White Minstrel Show
Beggar My Neighbour
Wild Wild Women
Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

At Last the 1948 Show (Rediffusion, 1967)
John Cleese starred with Marty Feldman, Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graham Chapman.
As neither of the two series was networked, it was not surprising that it didn't take off as it should have done, though after the late night slot of the first series, the second achieved peak time status (8.30pm) in the London area. Looking at it today, it certainly shows the inventiveness that became much applauded in the wilder Monty Python.

1.4 March 8th 1967
"Somebody's stolen the news," literally, declares newsreader John Cleese, and the chase is on, after Marty Feldman the thief.
Tim Brooke-Taylor is at the Travel Agents, JC doing his Hitler bit, "our pursuits are ze gayest in ze world." And, "spies- we shoot zem- slowly."
Dr Robinson (MF) teaches his patient (Graham Chapman) what he can remember about Memory Training, his system appears to depend solely on nude women.
A one man batallion consists of one man (TBT) who gives himself his instructions, "just what do I think I'm doing?"
TBT has a surreal interview with GC, "my foot's dropped off," then his other bits fall off in turn.
Engine driver Spriggs (MF) is reprimanded by JC over the 4,000 complaints about his train driving, which gradually becomes more fantastic and protracted, "I forgot to stop, sir." He is handed his punishment, fifty lines, I Must Not Drive My Train Into Manchester Cathedral.
A sergeant (TBC) briefs three policemen in drag about a raid, but they all get too many giggles

2.2 October 3rd 1967
A trailer for a gangster film turns into a quiz, the quizmaster with his machine gun. After Aimi MacDonald provides an intro in a cake, there's a sketch with TBT desperate to sell a shirt to GC. In tears he begs the customer to buy more than one. His manager (JC) intervenes sparking off a frenzied staff revolution in the best upper lip style.
Nosmo (JC) is another quizmaster complete with whip who bullies two elderly contestants (MF and TBT), "call me sir." This turns into a variation of Take Your Pick, with £20,000 offered for number 6, but JC tries too hard in a suitably gory ending.
GC interviews accident prone JC over his insurance during the predictable destruction of his office.
At a bus stop TBT is accosted by MF, "give me five bob." Meeting a refusal MF threatens to strip. Finally TBT finds a riposte, he threatens to strip also. Along comes a copper (GC), "what's going on 'ere?," giving us a splendid ending.
AM tap dances To Be Or Not To Be, then there's a long sketch in the audience at Covent Garden, with three aggressive Scots arguing with Sassenachs, who include Barry Cryer, a lot of noise but not a lot of laughs

back or
to Main Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Wild Wild Women

Set at the turn of the century, this 1969 comedy starred Barbara Windsor, with Pat Coombs and Paul Whitsun-Jones.
It ran to only six stories, and watching the only surviving story, you can see why. The script is very unfunny with a few very predictable sexist jokes. There's a bit of satire on women MPs but nothing that could lift this out of being the poor woman's Rag Trade.

1 - King Edward VII's coronation is imminent so the milliners are extra busy making fancy feathered hats for the aristocracy. But there's no extra bonus, orders Mr Harcourt, though the girls do find time to manufacture on the side one shilling dolls of the king to sell on coronation day. The concealing of this from their boss forms the basis of the fun. Millie gets glue all over her drawers, while Daisy gets all itchy hiding horsehair in her chest. A good hiding place for the dolls is found in the dustbin, but they do not anticipate it being emptied early, "all that work wasted." And half an hour

Other Comedies Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Frankie Howerd Show
Frankie returned to the BBC fold for this 1966 series.

1 (February 22nd 1966)
The best part is Frankie's intimate talking to camera at the start. He confides to us that the reason he's doing the series is he needs the money. He rails against intellectuals and their smut, and confesses his poor health despite his age of 32.
Then on to his experiences at the BBC, "Thing" in charge, who tells Howerd he's "neither one thing or the other." Long look from Frankie. Then he talks about the apparent need for comedians to be more "socially aware" these days and have satire, that serves to lead in to the main body of this programme, rather mediocre, Frankie goes to Parliament.
A brush with the doorkeepers (Arthur Mullard, Anthony Sagar) offering a few topical gags, then an encounter with an MP (Julian Orchard) who thinks Howerd is a new member. Thus Frankie joins in a debate in the House (with Dennis Ramsden), "doesn't he go on?" Finally Frankie winds up in the Lords. "I only came for the attendance money," which at least goes to prove that prescient scriptwriters Galton and Simpson anticipated later expense scanals

back or
to Main Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Beggar My Neighbour (1966-9)
with June Whitfield as Rose, and Desmond Walter Ellis as her husband Gerald. They are the slightly down at heel but respectable neighbours of
Reg Varney as Harry and Pat Coombs as his wife Lana. They are working class nouveau riche, with all the latest gadgets in their home, mostly on tick.
(Note: Peter Jones played Gerald in the first series).

In what London suburb was the series supposedly set? Answer

2.1 Let 'Em Eat Cake (July 1967) - Gerald is on a health food fad, though Harry sees it more in terms of him going round the twist. Certainly Rose can't stand any more of this eating weeds, and takes to having snacks next door. All this eating make Harry and Lana surmise she's expecting, though Rose thinks it's Lana who's pregnant, "fancy Harry a father- horrible!" Crisis is reached when Gerald throws out a "birfday" cake that Lana has kindly cooked
2.2 A Host of Friends - Rose and Gerald have somehow slightly exaggerated their social status to two chance acquaintances, who have now somehow got invited to lunch. As Harry and Lana have gone to the races, Gerald entertains his visitors round at Harry's posher place. However you do need to know your way round the house, and some of Lana's kitchen appliances are a bit baffling. Then Gerald seems to have claimed he is an accomplished pianist, these and other little chickens come home to roost. Of course Harry and Lana are bound to return home early, but Rose persuades them to lunch at her home, keeping them from finding the chaos next door. This makes a fine plot, something about defrocked missionaries, but the truth is bound to come out and though this is great fun, I was left feeling there had been scope for even more
back or
to Main Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Telegoons (1963/4)

A partially successful resurrection of The Goons in visual form.

2.6 Tales of Old Dartmoor (April 1964)
Prison stocktaking. Number of prisoners- "run completely out of them!"
Thanks to Moriarty it's soon chock full again. Then for a holiday, the prison is moved, bricks and all to France, to the Chateau d'If where there's a race to find a treasure. The prison sinks in the sea which is why, allegedly, now on Dartmoor is a cardboard replica
back or go
to Main Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Benny Hill
Whilst Benny developed his comic style into one of innocently vulgar double entendres, his early comedy is more mainstream.

The Mystery of Black Bog Manor (1962)
This mildly amusing pastiche of the genre has Benny Hill appearing as Rumbold of the Daily Bugle, whose reporting assignment is to interview Colonel Wittering about his collection of diamonds.
When our hero reaches the windswept lonely mansion, he is greeted with suspicion by the colonel's bland nephew (Graham Stark), though the best part is Patsy Smart's as Miriam, a bundle of nerves, who warns Rumbold "I do hope you're the last!"
For it's clear there's dirty work afoot at the manor. The feet in the bed that disappear, and the bearded stranger who grabs all Rumbold's food. And who is dancing the can-can, at 3.30 in the morning? "There's something funny going on here," notes our reporter with all the corn he can muster, "and I mean to get to the bottom of it."
Script: Dave Freeman. Length: 25 minutes.
The Lonely One
Superb take-off documentary narrated by Alex MacIntosh, about a "misunderstood young man" Willie, Benny Hill as an overage teenage delinquent, but several other roles as well. 7 minutes
Comedy Menu

.

.

.

.

.

* * * P O P - S H O W S * * *
Please note I do not sell any of these programmes. See here for Discs a Gogo. If you can help with details of this show, please email me

OH BOY (ABC)
* featuring Cliff Richard, Billy Fury and regular Marty Wilde.
* featuring Brenda Lee, with Don Lang, Mike Preston, Lord Rockingham's XI.
THANK YOUR LUCKY STARS (ABC)
* Merseyside Special with (no surprise!) The Beatles, Gerry "You'll Never Walk Alone" and the Pacemakers
* TYLS - Special Guest : Tom Jones. With The Rolling Stones
* Farewell edition "Goodbye Lucky Stars" (25th June 1966) with The Beatles, and Helen Shapiro, Gene Pitney, Cleo Laine, Herman's Hermits. Most extraordinary is the incongruous appearance of ageing musical star Ruby Miller.
READY STEADY GO! (Rediffusion)
1. Otis Redding Special (16 Sept 66),
2. The Beatles (Twist and Shout), debuts for The Animals and for Lulu, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Pete and Dud,
3. The Beatles, Billy Fury, Dusty Springfield, Alma Cogan, Rolling Stones,
4. The Beach Boys, Sandie Shaw, The Searchers, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles,
5. Georgie Fame, Lulu, Them, The Rolling Stones, Jerry Lee Lewis,
6. The Moody Blues, Dusty Springfield, Gene Pitney, The Who, The Rolling Stones.
WHOLE LOTTA SHAKIN GOIN ON - Sept 29th 1964 (Granada)
3 Legends plus The Animals who keep in the mood with 'Shout.' Gene Vincent looks the most well worn but the iconic motorbike set and impressive camerawork give a frenetic mood which is only increased by the antics of Jerry Lee Lewis, whose live action here is a contrast to his recordings. Little Richard winds up the show, working up more and more of an impressive sweat- a truly awesome rock show

OFF THE RECORD (BBC)
* Veteran Jack Payne introduces Sid Phillips Band playing 'I've found a New Baby,' Alma Cogan singing 'Dreamboat,' Ronnie Hilton with 'Always' and Max Bygraves with the excruciating 'Pendulum Song.' George Shearing plays 'Lullaby of Birdland' and The Four Aces give their rendition of 'Stranger in Paradise.' Francis Essex produced this 1955 plug for the record industry
6.5 SPECIAL (BBC)
August 1957- Spike Milligan adds hilarity with his jelly detector, then as a butcher who can't cut meat. Don Long sings White and Silver Sands, plus Rex Rocks. Ray Anthony talks to Pete Murray, Jo Douglas goes climbing in Wales. Chris Barber plays Steamboat Bill and The Deep River Boys wind up the show
JUKE BOX JURY (BBC)
A critic wrote: "The consistently good thing about this programme is the chairman David Jacobs...he is intelligent, witty, handsome (says my wife!) and polished enough to cover the flaws... as the chief BBC contender for a TAM rating, it's surprising more care isn't taken in choosing the panel. All sorts of wrong people turn up on the show... it allows gentle controversy between the kids and their parents. every once in a while the parents may guess correctly! But either way, it brings the two generations closer together."
Review of a 1960 edition with an uncritical panel of Jill Ireland, David McCallum, Nina and Frederick: Nearly all the records are voted hits except for Colin Day's 'Till,' he unfortunate to be in the studio to hear the verdict. How did Pinky and Perky get the thumbs up? As for Frank Sinatra's abysmal Ol' MacDonald, that was beyond a joke. Still, at least the panel got it right with Poetry in Motion.
DISC JOCKEY (on 35mm film, BBC pilot)
- January 1961. This is essentially a compilation of pop videos featuring: Jimmy Lloyd - I Double Dare You / Frank Ifield - Gotta Getta Date / The Vernon Girls - Now is the Month of Maying / The Shadows - Apache / Connie Francis (?) - Do You Want to?
A WHOLE SCENE GOING (BBC 1966)
* teenage chat show with guests including Michael Crawford, Jonathan King. Singing from The Pretty Things and Sandie Shaw, who is also interviewed
TOP OF THE POPS (BBC)
1968: with The Foundations, Status Quo, Alan Price, Herman's Hermits, Amen Corner, Manfred Mann

SHINDIG - American ABC's series some of which were recorded in UK. This show from the Richmond Jazz Festival includes The Animals, The Moody Blues, Brian Auger and Rod Stewart, The T-Bones, Georgie Fame
Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

. DICKIE HENDERSON SHOW
Dickie's first appeared on ITV in an ATV series which began on October 6th 1956, Young and Foolish, with co-stars Chic Murray and Jack Parnell's Band.
His first domestic comedy series was entitled: Dickie Henderson Half-Hour (click for details of one surviving show) and it started on Friday July 4th 1958 at 8.30pm.
Here are brief details:
July 4th- with June Cunningham. Song Spot: Ilene Day. July 11th- with Anthea Askey, and Eve Lister, Bernard Hunter and Freddie Mills, Song Spot: Ilene Day. July 18th- with Eric Delaney, Song Spot: Diane Todd. July 25th- with Jill Day. Aug 1st- with Patrick Moore. Aug 8th- with William Sylvester. Aug 15th- same as July 11th. Aug 22nd- same as July 11th except in the Song Spot was Diane Todd. Aug 29th- with Marion Keene. Sept 5th- with Marion Keene. Sept 12th- with June Cunningham, Diane Todd.

Another series came in May and June 1959- co-starring Anthea Askey, whilst appearing in some shows were Clive Dunn and Lionel Murton- he became a regular on Dickie's 'Show' from 1960. Bill Ternent and his Orchestra supplied the music for the series produced by Bill Hitchcock. One of these shows with Anthea Askey, Eve Lister and Bernard Hunter was repeated on Christmas Day 1959 in some ITV regions.

8 series of the Dickie Henderson Show were made by Associated Rediffusion between 1960 and 1965, a total of approx 100 shows, which are listed below. I believe these are all currently in existence in the Rediffusion archive. All starred Dickie Henderson. Anthea Askey, Dickie's co-star in his previous series, had been approached to play his tv wife, but declined as she was expecting a baby. So June Laverick beame Dickie's partner, and was a regular along with Lionel Murton. Playing Dickie's child (eight years old in 1960) was John Parsons who lasted from series 1 to 5, then Danny Grover took over for series 6 to 8.
All scripts written by Jimmy Grafton, with others helping him as stated.
All stories directed by Bill Hitchcock.

Series 1 1960/1 (26 shows)- Mondays 8.00pm
After the pilot was approved (see 1:2), rehearsals commenced on October 10th 1960, then the first programme was recorded on Oct 14th.

1:1 The Psychiatrist November 14th 1960

1:2 The Quiz November 21st 1960. This was the pilot which was made sometime during the summer of 1960. Guest star was Richard Wattis as a Scoutmaster, with Hughie Greene as the Quizmaster, who has the tables turned on him.

1.3 The Song November 28th 1960 guest star Marty Wilde with Meier Tzelniker, Elfrida Eden, Rex Grey, Pamela Greer, Benice Swanson and Albert Barnett. "In the show Marty hopes to sing Little Girl"

1.4 The Dress December 5th 1960 guest star Eve Boswell with Geoffrey Hibbert, John Crocker, Lindsay Scott-Patton, Lisa Noble and Fiona Glenn (not Lionel Murton)

1.5 The Bachelor December 12th 1960

1.6 The Race December 19th 1960 guest star Richard Wattis with Robert Perceval, John Crocker, Hamlyn Benson, Ian Wilson, Beckett Bould and Stanley Vine

1.7 The Diet December 26th 1960

1.8 The Film Star January 2nd 1961

1.9 The Fur Coat January 9th 1961

1:10 The Music Lovers January 16th 1961

1:11 The Actor January 23rd 1961

1.12 The Idol (January 30th 1961) with guest star John Bentley, plus Lindsay Scott Patton, Norma Parnell, and Joel Noble

1.13 The Farce (February 6th 1961) with guest star Brian Rix also Elspeth Gray, with Lindsay Scott Patton, Geoffrey Hibbert, David Ludman, Harry Littlewood, Pat Laurence, Pat Roberts and Irene Barrie

1:14 The Golf Match February 13th 1961

1:15 The Fight February 20th 1961

1:16 The Violin February 27th 1961

1:17 The Move March 6th 1961

1.18 The Dancer March 13th 1961 guest star Lionel Blair with Diana French and Kenneth Nash

1.19 The Birthday Present (March 20th 1961) with guest star Naunton Wayne. Also Richard Caldicot and George Tovey, John Rae, Eric Nicholson and Arthur Blake

1:20 The Relation March 27th 1961

1:21 The Burglars April 3rd 1961 (Easter Monday) Associate writer Stan Mars guest star Donald Gray with Ivor Salter, Eugenie Cavanagh, James McLoughlin and Henry Kay

1.22 The Maid April 10th 1961 (note- pleased to know this has turned up on a 16mm print)

1.23 The Patient April 17th 1961 Script: Jimmy Grafton, Jeremy Lloyd and Stan Mars. Guest star Alan Melville with Joyce Barbour, Barbara Robinson, John Crocker, Gordon Rollings and Vikki Harrington

1.24 The Rival April 24th 1961

1:25 The Butler May 1st 1961

1:26 The Exchange Visit May 8th 1961 Script: Jimmy Grafton, Jeremy Lloyd and Robert Gray guest stars: George Baker and Marie France with Edwina Mitchell, Rowena Torrance, Blanche Moore, Margaret Boyd, Benn Simons, Nicholas Roylands

Series 2 (7 shows)- Mondays 8.00pm

2:1 The Publicity Agent November 13th 1961

2:2 The Record November 20th 1961 Script: Jimmy Grafton, with Jeremy Lloyd and Robert Gray guest star David Jacobs with Alexander Dore and Billy Milton

2:3 The Plane November 27th 1961 Script: Jimmy Grafton, Jeremy Lloyd and Stan Mars; guest star Hughie Green

2:4 The Camp December 4th 1961 Script: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd guest star Richard Wattis with Berry Huntley-Wright, Robert Perceval and John Wentworth, Irene Richmond, Lindsay Scott-Paton, Robin Ford

2:5 The Paris Week-End December 11th 1961

2:6 The Racehorse December 18th 1961 Script: Jimmy Grafton with Alan Fell and Jeremy Lloyd; guest stars: Bill Owen and John Rickman with Joe Ritchie, Charles Farrell, Hamlyn Benson, William Douglas

2:7 The Puppy Tues 26th December 1961 8pm Script: Jimmy Grafton with Jeremy Lloyd

Series 3 (7 shows)- Mondays 9.15pm

3:1 The Tramp May 7th 1962

3:2 The New TV May 14th 1962

3.3 The Necklace May 21st 1962 Script: Jimmy Grafton with Eric Newman; guest star Dora Bryan with Ronnie Corbett, Gordon Rollings, Peter Welch. On a visit to the jewellers to have June's watch repaired, Dickie and Jack unwittingly become involved with two expert jewel-thieves

3.4 The Cure May 28th 1962 Script: Jimmy Grafton with Jeremy Lloyd and Stan Mars; guest star Eve Boswell. Jack is feeling a little out of sorts, and Eve Boswell recommends a cure. The result is 'Super-Jack'

3.5 The Protest June 4th 1962 Script: Jimmy Grafton with Stanley Myers and Alan Fell; guest star James Hayter with Brian Oulton and Pat Coombs, Joe Ritchie, Mollie Maureen, Frank Sieman. Dickie has good reason to support Major Montmorency's campaign to save the local park gates, due to be pulled down by order of the Parks Committee. But his enthusiasm wavers when he becomes far more involved than he anticipated

3:6 The Gangster June 11th 1962 (Whit Monday) Script: Jimmy Grafton with Jeremy Lloyd and Stan Mars; guest star Boris Karloff with Danny Green, John Croker, Fred McNaughton, John Barrard, Howard Knight. On their way to give a performance for a police concert, Dickie and Co meet a gang of crooks. When they pretend to be gangsters things become very involved

3:7 The Voyage June 18th 1962 Dickie and family leave for the USA in a luxury liner. But smooth sailing is out of the question with a stowaway on board.

Series 4 (19 shows)- Wednesdays 9.15pm (some weeks there was no show as Party Political Broadcasts stupidly intruded on the schedule)

4.1 The Footballer November 21st 1962

4.2 The Visit November 28th 1962 Script: Jimmy Grafton with Stanley Myers and Alan Fell; guest star Beryl Reid with Tom Gill, Peter Elliott, William Dysart, Stanley Ayres

4:3 The Beauty Contest December 5th 1962

4:4 The Romance December 12th 1962 guest star Richard Wattis with Bob Todd, Elspeth Pirie, Alexandra Dane (no Lionel Murton)

4.5 The Leprechaun (December 19th 1962) with Guest stars Ruby Murray and Bobby Howes, also Bee Duffell, John Kelly, Michael Corcoran and Francis Napier

4:6 Dickie Henderson Christmas Show December 25th 8-9pm (1 hour special) Script: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd; guest stars: Bernard Bresslaw, Hughie Green, Alfred Marks, Richard Wattis, Rita Webb and Leslie Sarony with Joe Ritchie, William Douglas, Harry Littlewood, Helen Ford, Lindsay Scott-Patton, Susan George, David Palmer and The Ivor Raymonde Singers, The Pamela Devis Dancers

4:7 The Addict January 2nd 1963

4:8 The Court Case January 9th 1963

4:9 The Stamp Collector January 16th 1963

4.10 The Moonshiners January 23rd 1963

4:11 The Quarrel January 30th 1963

4.12 The Double February 6th 1963 Script: Jimmy Grafton. Guest star Bob Monkhouse. With Golda Casimir, Viviane Ventura, Norman Chappell.

4.13 The Legacy February 13th 1963 Script: Jimmy Grafton with Stanley Myers and Alan Fell; guest star Naunton Wayne with Billy Danvers, John Crocker, John Cross, Paul Williamson, Arthur Blake

4:14 The Racing Car February 20th 1963 Script: Jimmy Grafton with Eric Newman; guest star Jack Brabham with John Bolster and Anthony Bygraves. Dickie finds himself racing against Jack Brabham and Max Bygraves' son- but a mystery driver pips them all at the post

4:15 The Hypnotist March 13th 1963 Script: Jimmy Grafton with Stan Mars and Peter Griffiths; guest star Jon Pertwee with Tom Gill, Liza Page, Gwen Lewis, Eric Nicholson, Gordon Phillott, Margaret Boyd, Brenda Haydn

March 20th- no show

4:16 The Housekeeper March 27th 1963 Script: Jimmy Grafton with Eric Newman; guest star Irene Handl with Jerry Desmonde, and Paul Williamson, Blanche Moore. June sprains her wrist and the Hendersons decide to engage somebody to help with the chores. Just Dickie's luck to choose a housekeeper with a passion for bingo

4:17 The Playwright April 10th 1963 Script: Jimmy Grafton, associates: Johnny Whyte and Eric Newman; guest star: Dora Bryan with Michael Logan, Robert Cawdron (no John Parsons). A scream in the night from the flat next door sends Dickie and June investigating

4.18 The Letter April 17th 1963

4:19 The Stately Home April 24th 1963 8.45pm Script: Jimmy Grafton with Stanley Myers and Alan Fell guest star The Marquis of Bath with Andrew Bowen, Paul Williamson, Tom Gill

Series 5 (8 shows)- Fridays 7pm

5:1 The Clock June 14th 1963 Script: Jimmy Grafton with Stan Mars; guest star: Raymond Francis with Paul Williamson, Arthur Gomez, Victor Charrington (no John Parsons)

5:2 The Guinea Pigs June 21st 1963 Script: Jimmy Grafton with Jeremy Lloyd and Stan Mars; guest star Alan Melville with Hamilton Dyce, Arthur Mullard and Jeremy Lloyd, Gwen Lewis and Paul Williamson. Dickie and Jack visit a health clinic and reporter Alan Melville goes along to report Dickie's progress

5:3 The Country Cottage June 28th 1963 Script: Jimmy Grafton with Stanley Myers; guest star James Hayter with Reginald Beckwith and Fank Sieman. June persuades Dickie to buy a country cottage from an old friend Major Montmorency (JH), who sells them an Elizabethan 'wreck' then tries to get them out again to sell to an American

5:4 The Spy July 5th 1963 Script: Jimmy Grafton with Jeremy Lloyd and Stan Mars; guest star Guy Doleman with Malcolm Webster, Rudolf Offenbach. A mysterious phone call convinces Dickie that his life is in danger. James Bland- 009 of the Secret Service- is called in

5:5 The Painter July 12th 1963 (possibly postponed to 8th August 1963 6.15pm) Script: Jimmy Grafton with Stanley Myers and Alan Fell; guest star Lance Percival with Peter Elliott and Imogen Hassall. June breaks a mirror and decides to replace it with a painting. With Jack's help she engages the services of a beatnik artist (LP)

5:6 The Convict July 19th 1963 Script: Jimmy Grafton with Jeremy Lloyd and Stan Mars; guest star George Coulouris with George Tovey and Raymond Hodge, Gabrielle Daye (no John Parsons). A friend of Jack's lends him a cottage on Dartmoor for the weekend and he persuades Dickie and June to share it. A radio announcement about an escaped convict makes their weekend less peaceful than they had hoped

5:7 The Wrestler July 26th 1963 Script: Jimmy Grafton with Eric Newman; guest star Freddie Mills with Jackie Pallo and John Yearsley, Peter Szakaes, David Brown. Dickie decides to include a wrestling skit in his TV show and friend Freddie Mills persuades him to seek expert advice from wrestling personality JP

5.8 The School Play August 2nd 1963 Script: Jimmy Grafton with Stanley Myers and Alan Fell; guest star Richard Wattis with Damaris Hayman, Howard Knight. Richard's schoolmaster (RW) traps Dickie into agreeing to produce the school play

Series 6 (15 shows)- Thursdays 7.30pm Note- No official episode titles given in TV Times. The series again starred Dickie Henderson and June Laverick but this series with Danny Grover and Lionel Murton

6:1 (Parking Meter) September 19th 1963 Script: Jimmy Grafton with Jeremy Lloyd, Stanley Myers, Alan Fell. When parking meters are introduced outside the Henderson's flat, a battle of wits develops between Dickie and the traffic warden

6.2 (The Babysitter) September 26th 1963 Script: Jimmy Grafton, associates: Jeremy Lloyd, Stanley Myers, Alan Fell. (no Danny Grover mentioned in cast). When June offers to do some babysitting for a friend, Dickie finds himself literally holding the baby.

6.3 (The Home Doctor) October 3rd 1963 Script: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd. Cast with Paul Williamson, June Elvin (no Danny Grover). When Dickie, anxious about the state of his health, consults June's Home Doctor he discovers that a little learning can be dangerous

6:4 October 10th 1963

6.5 (October 17th 1963) with Richard Caldicot (no Lionel Murton, or Danny Grover). Dickie pooh-poohs the idea of June taking driving lessons and insists on instructing her himself with unexpected results

6:6 (The Economy Drive) Script: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd. Dickie starts a drive for household economy, but when he insists on doing the shopping himself, June decides to teach him a lesson

6:7 October 31st 1963 Script: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd. Cast with Eddie Byrne

6:8 (The Old Flame) November 7th 1963 Script: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd. June decides that Dickie is neglecting her, and she tries to make him jealous by inventing an old flame

6.9 November 14th 1963

6.10 November 21st 1963

6.11 November 28th 1963

6.12 (The Gambler) originally advertised to be shown November 14th 1963 but actually screened December 5th 1963. Script: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd. When Richard becomes interested in horse racing Dickie decides to teach him a sharp lesson about gambling- with anxious results for himself

6.13 December 12th 1963

6.14 (The Germ) December 19th 1963 Script: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd. Dickie has arranged an important TV interview, so when his family start going down with flu, he decides to wage war against the germ.

6.15 (The Insomniac) December 26th 1963 Script: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd. When Dickie is so excited about a film offer that he suffers from insomnia, his efforts to get to sleep produce some extraordinary results

Series 7 (approx 12 shows)- Wednesdays 9.10pm (some weeks there was no show due to Party Political Broadcasts)

7.1 (The Boy Friend) April 29th 1964 Script: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd Cast with William Franklyn and Anne Jameson, Geraldine Ward. Dickie lectures Richard on the evils of jealousy, but when an old boy friend of June's come to call, he finds it difficult to practise what he has been preaching.

7.2 May 6th 1964

No show on May 13th

7.3 (The Job) May 20th 1964 Script: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd. Cast with Frank Thornton, Sheena Marshe and Rita Webb (no Danny Grover) June decides to show her independence by getting a job- but Dickie retaliates by engaging a beautiful housekeeper

7.4 (The Formation Dancing Team) May 27th 1964 Script: Jimmy Grafton, Jeremy Lloyd, Johnny Whyte, Stanley Myers Cast with Jeremy Lloyd, Rita Webb, Damaris Hayman, Anne Jameson, Norman Mitchell The Frank and Peggy Spencer Formation Team. A surprise present for June leads to some unwelcome surprises for Dickie, including a mix-up with a formation dancing team

7.5 (The Bet) June 3rd 1964 Script: Jimmy Grafton, Jeremy Lloyd and Maurice Wiltshire. Cast with Eleanor Summerfield and Arthur Mullard, Barney Gilbraith. An argument about who needs who most in marriage leads Dickie and June into trying to live apart in the same flat for a bet. Guess who gives in first

7.6 June 10th 1964 Script: David Climie. With Eleanor Summerfield, Frank Sieman. June dreams of Dickie's infidelity with Madge and Dickie scoffs at her fears until some of her other dreams start coming true.

7.7 (The Birthday) June 17th 1964 Script: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd. Cast with Eleanor Summerfield, David Langton and Lizabeth Webb. Dickie forgets June's birthday, and a last minute attempt to put things right causes some unfortunate complications

7.8 (The Fan) June 22nd - moved to Monday night for this week only - Script: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd. Cast with Norman Chappell, Hazel Coppen and Jane Murdoch (no Danny Grover). Dickie is accustomed to having fans, but when one turns out to be a married woman and a neighbour, he finds himself in an embarrassing situation with the husband.

(The Moustache) scheduled for July 1st 1964 but postponed to August 5th 1964

7.9 (The Courtship) July 8th 1964 with Eleanor Summerfield, guest Vic Oliver. Dickie reminisces about his courtship days with June and, in a flashback, we see that the course of true love did not always run smooth

(The Essay) scheduled for July 15th 1964 but postponed to August 5th 1964

7.10 July 22nd 1964

July 29th - no show

7.11 (The Moustache) August 5th 1964, postponed from 1st July. Script: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd. Cast with Eleanor Summerfield, David Langton and Rudolf Offenbach, Shirley Cameron, Susanna Carroll, Cameron Hall, Rosemarie Frankland Dickie finds himself in conflict with June over a moustache he has grown while away on tour. June enlists Madge's help in trying to get rid of it and Dickie declares war

7.12 (The Essay) August 12th 1964 with Eleanor Summerfield, Robert Perceval and John Crocker. Richard wins an essay about his father for school, but Dickie considers the image to be inaccurate and tries to influence Richard into changing it, with unexpected results (originally advertised for July 15th 1964)

Series 8 - one one-off episode in May 1965, then the series of 8 more shows ran from August on Mondays 9.10pm. The details are for the A-R London area. Some other regions showed it at different times, TWW for example screening it on Saturday evenings.

8.1 (The Father) Thursday May 20th 1965 7pm Script: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd Cast with June Elvin, Arthur Blake, Robert Scott Webber (no Danny Grover). Dickie takes us back to the year his son Richard was born and shows us all the agonies of the expectant father

8.2 (The Row) August 16th 1965 Script: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd. Cast with Eleanor Summerfield, and Hugh Latimer, Robert Perceval and Lizabeth Webb. June accuses Dickie of indifference and the resulting row becomes so big, their friends decide to intervene only to find their own marriages threatened

8.3 (The Pop Group) August 23rd 1965 Script: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd. Cast with Hugh Latimer, Peter Graves, Bertie Hare, Arthur Gross, Mark Gascoigne, Kevin Bennett, Peter Pike, Janette Sattler. When Dickie tries to get rich quick by putting a new group under contract and launching them on his television show he finds out that fortunes aren't made all that easily

8.4 (The Cricket Match) August 30th 1965 Script: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd. guest: Freddie Trueman with Bertie Hare. When Dickie is invited to play in a charity cricket match he finds himself up against one of the world's fastest bowlers

8.5 (The Shopper) September 6th 1965 (screened on Sat Oct 16th 1965 on TWW) Script: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd. Cast with Eleanor Summerfield, and Robert Perceval, Tom Gill, Felicity Gordon, Arthur Mullard, Blanche Moore, Claire Ruane. Dickie sets out to prove to June that men are quicker shoppers than women and almost perishes in the attempt

8.6 (The Love Letter) September 13th 1965 Script: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd. Cast with Norma Foster (no Danny Grover). An old love letter leads June into accusing Dickie of being unsentimental. Dickie tries to prove the opposite with embarrassing results.

8.7 (The Dogsbody) September 20th 1965 (screened on Sat Oct 30th 1965 on TWW) Script: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd. guest: Semprini, with Joseph Layode. (no Danny Grover). Dickie imagines that noone is indispensable, but when Jack complains he is being treated as a dogsbody and decides to leave, Dickie finds he cannot do without him

8.8 (The Dentist) September 27th 1965 Script: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd. Cast with Hugh Latimer, Lizabeth Webb, George Coulouris, Guy Kingsley Poynter, Jane Murdoch, Frank Sieman. Dickie tries to get out of a visit to a new dentist by substituting Jack

8.9 (The Hidden Accident) October 4th 1965 (final show) Script: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd. Cast with Eleanor Summerfield, Robert Perceval and Robert Raglan.

A later quite different series of 12 further shows recorded in late 1967/ early 1968 gave Dickie a new wife.
This new Dickie Henderson Show starred Dickie Henderson, with Isla Blair as Dickie's wife. Eight actresses were auditioned for her part, but it was said Dickie's real life wife Gwyneth decided Isla was right for the role. Lionel Murton appeared from story 2.
Scripts: Jimmy Grafton and Jeremy Lloyd. Directed by Bill Hitchcock.
Dates are for London Rediffusion screening. It seems ABC in the Midlands/North premiered the shows on Sundays at 7.25pm starting in late 1967.
1. The Image (January 10th 1968). With Pete Murray as himself, Wendy Padbury as Carol, David Selwyn as Harold and Brian Burdon as Window cleaner. Jane's niece has a crush on Pete Murray. Dickie is called upon to cure it.
2. Cold Comfort (January 17th 1968). With David Kelsey as Julian Torrington-Brown, Peter Graves as Peter and Len Lowe as Director. Dickie has never made a commercial- until now!
3. The Amateur Professional (January 24th 1968). With Hugh Latimer as Harry, Vivienne Martin as Mrs Ashburton, Edwin Finn as The Vicar, Damaris Hayman as Miss Lambshead, Josephine Gordon as Florrie Cannon, and Robert Percival as Mr Biggs. With Margaret Heald, Jayne Peach, Carole James, Janet Krasowska and Lorain Bertolli as Miss Lambshead's pupils. The local Amateur Dramatic Society are presenting The Student Vagabond, and Dickie has been asked to appear.
4. ?
5. The Security Leak (February 7th 1968), with Brian Burdon, Bertie Hare, Dickie Martyn, Anthony Kemp and John Moulder-Brown. Dickie is in Summer Season and finds that, somehow, another comic is using his material.
6. Be A Clown (February 14th 1968). With Roger Avon, Johnnie Clayton, Len Lowe, Ali Hassan, Marika Rivers, George Clayden, Steven Follett and Ruben Martin and his Troupe. Dickie has to stand in when a clown disappears from a circus.
7. The Politician (February 21st 1968). With Arthur Mullard as Flunkey, David Kelsey vivian Drummond, Jeffrey Gardiner Nigel Batley, Denis Handby Dinner Organiser, and Charles West as Psychiatrist. Dickie accidentally gets mixed up in politics and finds it very difficult to get out again.
8. The Question of Wives (February 28th 1968). With Peter Graves (as in the first story), Jacqueline Jones, Hazel Graham, Sheena Marshe and Robert Scott-Webber. Dickie has to choose himself a new 'wife' for his tv show, and June thinks that his real wife would be just right for the part.
9. The Mixed-Up Foursome (March 6th 1968). With Henry Cotton as Himself, and Eleanor Summerfield as Maggie. Dickie and Jack are keen golfers, June and Maggie decide to take up the game.
10. It's my Camera- Not Yours (March 13th 1968). With Hugh Latimer as Harry, Lizabeth Webb, Rita Webb, David Rowlands and John East. Jack wants to send a movie to his folks in Canada. Harry and Dickie decide to help him make it...
To the Dickie Henderson Show review page.

Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

Some contemporary reviews of programmes:
These are programmes I have not seen myself, sadly.

Strictly T-T (January 1956, BBC)
Everyone's favourite, Terry-Thomas, heralded his return to BBC screens proclaiming "the BBC have now got the money."
This reviewer ('AG') however was unimpressed, sadly. "It's a pity value was not given," he protested. "Terry struggled manfully through a mediocre script which had him toting a road crossing board, as a barman, a woman singer in concert etc. To complicate the issue, he had on hand a double." This was Dennis Kirtland, pictured here on the magazine cover. "Aiding and abetting was Lorrae Desmond who is becoming a seasoned tv performer; Kenneth Griffiths as a sort of Frankenstein minor; Gillian Lynne, revealing the body beautiful in dance as seldom the BBC reveals it; and Bob Sharples and his music. Perhaps when that ghastly backcloth representing the village, with the weird voice of Gerald Hoffnung wailing through a weary, overlong script, is eliminated, this show might achieve some sort of pace. As it is, it is strictly NBG.

The Max Wall Show (February 5th 1956, BBC)
'AG' wrote, "BBC TV has at last discovered, after all too long, that Max Wall is a first rate television comedian." One routine is singled out for praise, "his sketch about a children's party entertainer and a horror of a boy (Charlie Drake), was always funny, and his intimate asides played directly to viewers, gave him an appeal that only Arthur Askey has had before him." Among his guests was Eddie Calvert who played his trumpet in the finale, a duet with Max Wall. "It proved more amusing than musical, and made a novel ending for what promises to be a first rate Sunday attraction, produced by a man who really knows how to present comedy- George Inns."

Bonanza! (Saturday February 2nd 1957, 9-10pm, ABC, live from Didsbury)
An ambitious musical play adapted for tv and produced by Michael Mills and Lionel Blair.
A budget of £5,000 was lavished on this Canadian musical, with stars Zoe Gail and Paul Carpenter as two engaging baddies. Inia te Wiata somehow became a Canadian homesteader, he sang the ballad They Don't Understand About Land. Comedy was in the hands of Rose Hill as Ma Slater and Wallas Eaton a wheezy schemer.
'AG' praised the production, one scene, he said, "done on the revolving stage kaleidoscoped several scenes in Main Street Edmonton in a manner that looked more like a film than a live television show, a brilliant piece of telescopics... a highlight was the carefree zippy modern ballet sequence accompanying the catchy Let's have A Double Wedding, created by Lionel Blair and so zestfully performed by his dancers... this exciting musical should surely find its way to the West End."

Sunday Night at the London Palladium (February 10th 1957, ATV)
'AG' wrote: "When I say that the finale was the best thing, I do not mean to be rude. It is just a fact. Dickie Valentine, Boanr Colleano and Eve Boswell combined to make it a gay, lively affair, with Call the Whole Thing Off, and The Tender Trap. Up to that time the only outstanding offering was from John Gilpin and Marilyn Burr displaying vivid poetry in motion as they danced a spirited pas-de-deux. The rest was standard, Tommy Trinder making a success of every second gag, Colleano and Jeremy Hawk in an old favourite skit about the stand-in in Hollywood, Eve Boswell looking seductive with a low fringe hair-do, and Dickie Valentine going all dramatic and morbid about A Clown That Cried. And Dickie, isn't it time you stopped that now weary impression of Billy Daniels, even though you've got a haircut that makes you look, on the tv screen at least, like Billy? A criticism on the tv direction side: there were too many long shots"

The Ted Ray Show (February 16th 1957, BBC)
Script: Sid Colin, Talbot Rothwell and George Wadmore. Dance sequnces: Leslie Roberts. Musical Director: Eric Robinson. Director: George Inns.
'AG' wrote: "Ted Ray kept a lively show going at a clip which few rivals could compete with... He was at his best in a petrol shortage skit with Kenneth Connor, who seems to bring out the best in Ted. Anyway, Ray and Connor can be said to be the best television comedy double act... Larry Adler is not only our finest harmonica player, but he is an ideal foil for a comedian. He fits in so well, and without any lack of dignity on his part. He was the perfect partner for a bit of fun when Ted started to play a harmonica as well. Ted was also seen as an old tramp on the waterfront, as a holidaymaker, and as a vaudevillian in a rather sentimental music hall scene. In all that he did, he impressed. There was an excellent trained bird act, and the Lana Sisters... were most acceptable."

Cooper- Or Life with Tommy (A-R)
13 week series commencing Monday March 25th 1957. The final programme of the series was made first, telerecorded at Wembley Studios. The remainder were all shown live from there.
The March 25th show also included regulars Hugh Paddick, and Richard Waring, also in this show were The Happy Wanderers, John Warner, Hugh Morton, Wally Patch and Ian Wilson. "The best piece of business," wrote one reviewer, "was in a shoe shop with Cooper wanting to buy green alligator shoes against the wishes of the salesman."
Scripts: Freddie Sadler and Dave Freeman, later scripts by Richard Waring and Patrick Brown. Director: Peter Croft.

The Benny Hill Show (March 30th 1957, BBC)-
'AG' eulogised: "Benny Hill once again showed his nimble versality... when he portrayed a number of varied characters specially in the burlesque of Picture Parade in which he took off the inarticulate Marlon Brando and the 'cot-lounging' baby doll exceptionally well. He also had a mild crack at rock n roll and was very funny as the spiv advising his ill-attired chum on buying a suit, much to the bewilderment of the tailor (Jeremy Hawk). He was helped by Patricia Hayes and Peter Haigh... plus June Richmond and Edmund Hockridge. The glamour department was headed ably by Susan Denny, aided by the Tommy Linden Singers... John Street's production was at all times slick

Saturday Spectacular (Saturday May 4th 1957, ATV)
'RB' wrote: "Jack Buchanan, nonchalant, debonair and pleasing, dominated ... he was ready to try his hand at rock n roll, taking a lesson or two from youthful Tommy Steele, who advised a mobilised guitar, springs in heels, mumbling voice, and other technical assets... And he was ready to converse with Madeline Macquart in French, although Mr Buchanan's contribution was not nearly so prolific as Mlle Macquart's, being confined mainly to oui and non, and perhaps even one or two of these replies were put in at the wrong places! In short, Brian Tesler's production got right away from a stereotyped sequence of disjointed acts, and a satisfying show was built round one of the world's great entertainment personalities.
Camera angles showed the Tiller Girls to advantage; Tommy Steele worked in a great crack at Lonnie Donegan's expense; Madeline Macquart and Jack Buchanan pleased with their Relaxez-vous duet; Lenny, the nervous frustrated mincing lion was presented smoothly by ventiloquist Terry Hall; Jack Parnell's orchestra supplied impeccable accompaniments; and Jack Buchanan recaptured all his old magic when he sang a medley of songs, which naturally included Goodnight Vienna."

Val Parnell's Star Time (ATV, September 19th 1957)
'ME' praised this show: "worth watching. It had its weak moments, but generally achieved a far higher standard of entertainment than usual. It was slick without being too speedy; it was smart without being over sophisticated. In other words polished entertainment at its best. One of the reasons for its success was that it had been produced by Albert Locke as a complete show not as an isolated string of acts... Derek Roy was given enough time to tell at least one story in between acts... The studio audience missed most of the delicately subtle humour of Georges Ulmer, the oh-so-relaxed French entertainer, and it was a pity too he had to follow Alma Cogan who made her usual successful appearance, ending on a rock number which should have been to close the show. Star Time was glamourised by the shapely dancing girls, and Nita and Peppi tumbled around at the opening with graceful agility. There were two good singers.. sensational newcomer Victor Soverall, and John Arnold, another contest winner from a radio show

Billy Cotton Band Show (October 3rd 1957, BBC)
"What a very good show Billy Cotton puts on time after time!... Cotton presided with that unvarying schoolteacher attitude which makes his own joining in the fun seem all the more ludicrous... guest star was Peter Sellers... providing a lot of fun and joining in the revels of the band. He and Mr Cotton both tried to outdo each other in their playing up, and it all came over extremely well."

The Christmas Eve Show (A-R 1957)
'DEH' declared this the best show of the festive season that year. "It wasn't due only to the galaxy of stars... but the deviser and director of the programme Joan Kemp-Welch... her success lies in the fact that not only does she make the personality interesting to look at but also the background, with its moving stars, the snow covered roofs, the Christmas trees and the many other things that she likes to excite us with... the script, an excellent one with meaning and not reduced to gush, by Ker Robertson, was spoken admirably by Ben Lyon. The excellent choreography was by Douglas Squires and unfortunately the designer of those wonderful sets is not in the TV Times" (note- it was actually Michael Wield.) "Altogether this was a fast running show with exciting pictures, lovely orchestrations, especially in the underwater ballet effect. If only Miss Welch had been given colour for this show!"

The Frankie Vaughan Show (BBC January 1958)
'HD' admitted Frankie's style was "too American" for his taste. Yet he conceded, "it's a style with its merits and devotees. Even I can congratulate Frankie on three scores- his showmanship; his generosity in not hogging his own show; and finally his bravery in bringing such competition from dear old George Formby. It's funny how much more healthy the earthy suggestiveness of Formby's ditties seems compared with the girlish screams of Frankie's fans. The last trick of the Brix Brothers was magnificent, but TV has fed us sumptuously on speciality acts... Joe Church, a good performer needs better scripts... Compliments to Leslie Roberts for his usual inventiveness in choreography. ... A slightly above average BBC light entertainment show"

Alfred Marks Time (March 27th 1958, Associated Rediffusion)
'WA' wrote, "The House of Hylton, where hopeful girls sit anxiously around and anxious men scuttle about hopefully, also presents much of the light entertainment for A-R... frequently inane, yet ... much of the credit for the show's success is due to the versatility of Marks and his wife, Paddy O'Neil. In this programme Sarah Lawson and Sandra Dorne, with Alfred Marks, gave us a clever skit on Emergency-Ward 10; there was a good sketch featuring Ray Ellington and Paddy O'Neil in a garage scene, and an impression of a scene in the film The Seventh Veil by Mr and Mrs Marks as James Mason and Ann Todd. Apart from the stratospheric sketch with Freddie Mills and Bernard Bresslaw this show demonstrates how easily good sketches can be adapted from everyday situations"

The Benny Hill Show (BBC March 29th 1958)
'VGD' wrote, "Benny Hill once again proved what an amazingly retentive mind he has, especially when observing the mannerisms of his tv colleagues. Benny mimed and romped his way through 60 minutes... skits on the Glee Club and Panorama... but the high spot was undoubtedly his burlesque of the BBC's Dancing Club. Here, Mr Hill, assisted by the use of cine film, aped the maestro, the hostess, and even demonstration dancers, complete with boots which must have originated from Coco the Clown! With... Edna Savage, Benny Hill showed that he has his finger on the pulse of the television variety audience. And what is more he works hard to keep it that way. Well done, Benny!"

Saturday Spectacular (December 6th 1958, ATV)
'PLR' described this show as "a compendium of popular music." Frankie Vaughan was the star but "unhappily this was one of Frankie's rare off-nights. Apart from loss of voice, he seemed most uncomfortable in ... sentimental songs like Sonny Boy. His habit of creasing up his face was mercilessly caught by the camera in this number." However "he was more at home with ... Back in the Good Old Days by Frankie and the King Brothers ... first rate musical entertainment... British born US comedian Henny Youngman succeeded in putting over some topical material... one joke in particular which should appeal to the profession was his report of a recent conversation he had with Val Parnell through his interpreters! Beryl Reid as a wacky weather forecaster, Lady Pamela, complete with sou'wester, dispelled the grey clouds for miles around. She seems to improve on each appearance. Mainly a good show but Frankie Vaughan should take care not to overstrain his voice"

The Dolores Gray Show (January 3rd 1959, ATV)
'MC' wrote, "what a lesson in professionalism Dolores Gray gave us... Theme of the show was Warm Brandy... and this was put over by Miss Gray with the maximum of artistry and the minimum of cute bonhomie. She also showed two other things- that she could dance passably well, and that her singing (in fine voice) was so versatile that she could really lift her audience away with her in a bubbly number like Pink Champagne, and at the next moment create an atmosphere of sad sentiment with fine singing. Dolores Gray acts her songs... she was aided by outstanding production and good camera work, good choreography by Irving Davies, who is also an excellent dancer, and charming settings by Anthony Waller. The inset sketch by Bob Hope and Fernandel was really funny... the polished touch of Bill Ward could be seen throughout"

Atlantic Showboat (January 10th 1959, ATV)
'DH' described this interesting Saturday Spectacular partly filmed on board the Empress of Britain. Hosted by Hughie Green, "part documentary, part variety, part cabaret... only Lionel Blair and his sister saved the programme... We saw too much of Hughie Green and too little of Allan Bruce, who should go far with his excellent voice. We had fleeting glimpses of Libby Morris... and of course there was the inevitable Jackie Rae. Mr Rae is appearing on my screen so much these days that even when I turn my set off a lasting impression remains, mechanically of course! Shirley Bassey looked uncomfortable, Duke Ellington played superbly while David Whitfield bid farewell to a host of his admirers at the docks of Liverpool. George Formby sang two tuneless songs while the only reasonable personality to shine throughout the whole programme was Captain JP Dobson... I think I would trust this charming man with my life. I wouldn't trust Hughie Green however with my entertainment." The critic's verdict was "boring... to go six thousand miles to give viewers such a mundane sixty minutes only proved that this journey wasn't necessary." (The actual ocean voyage was made in October 1958)

The Dave King Show (February 7th 1959, ATV)
'DH' described this show thus, "if only there were more artists like Dave King. If only there were more producers like Brian Tesler... there was a gloss, a polish about this show like an exclusive magazine... there was sophisticated comedy as well as the good old slapstick. It had enchanting dance routines by Lionel Blair and imaginative settings by Jon Scoffield. I particularly liked the waterfront scene which everyone thought was straight musical drama, but King topped it at the end by making it all a joke. I also liked the park scene even down to the pigeons on the fence- what an eye for detail Tesler has. He doesn't miss a visual trick. For the grand finale, with the swirling mist and the angels led by Dave King, McDonald Hobley (he improves with every show) and Roy Castle (who proves even more how versatile he is) we were given Gabriel backed by Jack Parnell. Altogether a pleasant mixture of relaxed easy entertainment"

Alfred Marks Time (March 2nd 1959, A-R)
'DH' complained, "what a poor shabby affair it was, the telerecording was bad and there wasn't the slightest subtlety about the comedy whatsoever. This show, which I always regarded as one of Jack Hylton's best and most professional offerings, has now, I regret, become one of the worst. The show mainly consisted of two sketches and a song break in which Ray Ellington and Paddie O'Neil sang a song about witches, suitably dressed... the first sketch was a love story between a girl and a baker, spoken in French gibberish. This was mildly funny. Then there was a skit on A Star is Born involving Patrick Barr, Kent Walton and Paul Carpenter. This was better... but what has gone wrong? First the time element... there is little time for Mr Marks and his wife to develop their brand of comedy. Secondly the script is definitely not up to standard. There is less topicality and punch about it... with a sameness, for instance it was only in the last programme that they did a German gibberish sketch which was rather funny... I'm afraid Alfred Marks Time is just not keeping in time at the moment!"

The Cyril Fletcher Show (April 16th 1959, A-R)
'DH' wrote, "I challenge even the moronic of morons to stay with this show... Mr Fletcher is visually ideal for tv. He has big rolling eyes and face that can make even the sternest of parsons laugh. He has a splendid clear voice all of which should make him a good tv comedian. What's gone wrong then?.. We start off with the Tiller Girls. Mr Hylton makes them look like one of those pre-war British musicals and the orchestra sounded distinctly early 1930s too. Then we have a short sketch by Dick Francis then another sketch about a holiday, this including funny bathing costumes, a funny macintosh, a funny bowler hat, everything being funny except apparently the script. Another song and the final sketch dealing with an opera without music and which again includes funny hats, funny clothes, funny faces etc. What is even more staggering is the fact that this show is in the hands of Milo Lewis... an honest director who has had experience at presenting comedy successfully but I doubt whether he'll get away with this one. TV comedy cannot rely on funny attributes (we even had a funny nose!), the line must be more subtle and reasoned. Mr Fletcher should request Mr Hylton to move his show to children's hour. He would be a wow with the kids!

Saturday Spectacular- Secombe and Friends (April 25th 1959, ATV)
'DH' wrote, "It was a great pleasure to have Harry Secombe back again on tv after a bout of mumps... Harry's friends joined in the fun, the Secombe way, although they are generally recognised in more serious fields of entertainment. The result was an uproarious hour... there was a delightful excerpt from a French crime film with Donald Houston, Stanley Baker and HS, there were some charming quiet moments in a gypsy encampment with a very nice set designed by Anthony Waller, and at the beginning of the show there was some good fun as Lionel Blair and his sister Joyce tried to teach Secombe the Cha Cha. Brian Tesler, being the good producer he is, didn't fall into the trap of having Welsh miners standing in line in front of the cameras singing national songs. Instead he elected to have them seated in an inn with pints of beer and tobacco smoke. I feel sure that apart from us enjoying this show everyone who took part was having a good time as well"

Semprini (August 7th 1959, BBC)
I must admit to not being a fan of this popular pianist, so without having seen this show I tend to sympathise with 'GT' who wrote, "musical quarter hours are always a difficult thing to present... to some extent Ned Sherrin got over the problem by including The George Mitchell Singers to break up the shots a little. Unfortunately, however, he swopped one immobile object, namely the piano, for immobile singers who stood around looking pretty and sickenly sentimental. This was particularly noticeable when one had just seen the virile Granadiers on ITV and realised how deadly dull the George Mitchell Singers are. Semprini himself is always charming and he plays beautifully but I felt the programme was out to be glossy and smart and only succeeded in being respectable, prim, and frankly, dull. One thing the producer should have spotted was one of the Singers clad in what appeared to be grey socks. With evening dress? Really!"

The Eddie Fisher Show (Sunday September 6th 1959, BBC)
'StJR', while professing a liking for the American star, confessed, "I felt very sorry for him... I felt very sorry that the BBC could have done this to him... in a shiny ultra modern set... one had the impression that he was going to give a recital rather than be the nucleus of a presumably Sunday Spectacular. All I can say is... ITV will have no worries about winning viewers to the Palladium. The fault was (producer) Ernest Maxin's... the show looked bare with not one single production number to liven things up. It looked as if Maxin wanted to achieve a poor man's Perry Come Show. If he did he succeeded! We had the casual look when Fisher broke into certain songs, in fact everything but the stool. Let's face it. Fisher is no Perry Como, the George Mitchell Singers aren't as good as the Ray Charles Singers and the production can't compare in any way with American staging.... To my mind the entertainment value of bringing Ingemar Johansson was nil. Patricia Bredin looked very beautiful and sang agreeably enough, though the Somewhere duet with Fisher gave the impression that both of them were about to be burned at the stake... the best moments of the show came with the appearance of Anthony Bygraves... one can see clearly he is bursting with talent and is a future star in the making. I hope that the next show is an improvement, not so sparse, with a little more warmth and, with all due respect, a little less of Eddie Fisher"

The Hildegarde Neff Show (September 27th 1959, BBC)
'GT' confessed that the star "would be the first to admit, I hope, that she cannot sing, yet she displayed some good comedy and dancing talent in a show which had tremendous pace and polish. The script too, by Denis Goodwin, was often witty and positively crackled in some places. The show was marred however by a group known as The Wanted Five, who didn't know whether to play their instruments or do acrobatics with them. Their act was coarse and pointless... other artists involved namely Sam Wanamaker, Dora Bryan, Leslie Philips, Mario Calpe and Terry Skelton and his dancers all helped considerably to make to make this programme highly entertaining... Ernest Maxin's production used fast racking shots which gave the show vitality"

Sunday Night at the London Palladium (October 4th 1959, ATV)
'GT' wrote of the star Lena Horne, "a real artist if ever there was one. Here is a singer with style, perfect phrasing, perfect stage presence and perfect diction. She holds her body stiffly in a close fitting gown, her eyes flash, her eyelids flicker, her teeth glisten and her head sometimes remains rigid, sometimes bouncing up and down like a sledgehammer as she spits out the words in emphasis... Bill Ward's imaginative pictures and revealing closeups made fifteen minutes of thrilling and exciting viewing. I only wish it could have been longer." Note: Jimmy James also appeared in this programme, but the reviewer didn't cover the remainder of the show

Showtime (Sunday December 6th 1959, BBC)
'GT' wrote, "Showtime seems to be falling deeper and deeper into a rut... this time the show started with the usual physical jerks which although competently done, were not sufficiently different to warrant close inspection. Imogene Coca was the star attraction of this week's show though she appeared on film in a very unfunny skit leaving this viewer at a loss to know what it was all about. Enso Gallo Quartet from Italy supplied an imitation of another popular quartet while it was left to Anne Shelton with her strong clear voice to prop up the show with her particular brand of talent. It also did her credit not to mime to her latest recording but to be courteous to her viewers by singing it live"

Hippodrome (January 14th 1960, 9.35-10.30, A-R)
'GT' describing it as "one hour of slick swift variety," explained the series had begun in the hands of American producer Will Rowland. For this third show Bill Turner was directing and he used "the cameras to full advantage... there was hardly a pause for breath. The finale was particularly well handled with the use of high angled shots." Only British artist was Michael Holliday "who seemed a little uneasy at times among so many energetic people. Yet his casual style of singing was a pleasant contrast." 'HH' added that the show began with Billy Smart's chimpanzees, "everything from handstands to the hilarious performance on the trapeze." Then there was Albert Sturm from Germany, a paper manipulator, The Two Arvings from Vienna, cyclists, Indians from Roumania ("hardly makes sense") called The Petroffs with a triple bar act. The Five Fellers from Spain worked on a double length low tight wire and completing the bill were The Fratellinis from Italy, clowns. The compere was (an uncredited in TV Times) Paul Carpenter.

Saturday Spectacular - The Emile Ford Show (Saturday February 20th 1960 ATV)
'GT': "what an unspectacular affair it was! Ford makes two high powered selling records and the powers that be think he is ready to carry a full scale variety show. The truth of the matter was obvious from the moment Ford came onto the stage. He sang the songs that brought him success and from then on he was inadequate. The show had a certain gloss, however, mainly due to the Malcolm Goddard dancers who did some neat routines. And this was despite being hampered by strike problems. The rest of the bill included Jill Day at her most tuneful, Alicia Markova, I wasn't quite sure what she was doing there, and Freddie Frinton doing an act which he must have been doing for years... way before the tv era in fact. One could almost see the cobwebs on it"

The Benny Hill Show (April 2nd 1960, ATV)
'GT': "Few people can resist that cheeky grin and the saucy eyes of Benny Hill... He knows how to use the cameras and humour springs from television itself... Hill excels himself when making parodies of famous tv personalities. On Saturday we had Daniel Farson complete with quiff introducing Arson's Guide to Britain. This was followed by Hans and Lotte Hill in some underwater humour which could only come off on television. The third parody was perhaps the most searing of all. Take a Date with Ernest Minim whose wonderful show contained some wonderful artists accompanied by his wonderful orchestra. It was all such fun. The programme showed signs of lack of rehearsal yet it didn't mar Kenneth Carter's lively direction or Peter Darrell's dancers"

Sammy Davis Jr Meets the British (Saturday June 11th 1960, 8-9pm, ABC)
'GT' wrote, "Brian Tesler, whose first production this was for his new bosses, came through with a modest, correctly balanced show which supplied to the right degree the personality of the star. In the first and third parts Davis appeared alone doing snatches of his cabaret act and a joy it was to watch too. The middle part however was the best of all. Tesler took his cameras away from the studio to Battersea Fun Fair... it was a shade overlong and could have been trimmed by a couple of minutes... still, the sight of Davis leading the children around like a Pied Piper was a sheer joy to watch, especially the final shot of them skipping one by one across a bridge which seemed to dissolve into the distant trees. This sequence was followed by Davis going into a hat shop in search of a typically British outfit. Aided by Lionel Blair, who was at his best, we had a sequence rich in comedy and movement" (Note- thankfully this show survives in the ABC archive)

The first of the series
The Tin Pan Alley Show (Saturday June 25th 1960, ATV).
'GT' was probably not of the right age to review this "glorified disc show," not making it clear whether he liked Director Jo Douglas who has "given us a better class Six Five Special with less inventiveness, less purpose and considerably less meaning." This show included Emile Ford, The John Barry Seven and Pete Murray as disc jockey of the week. GT did like Lionel Bart "who keeps reminding us how down to earth music should be and how he is now writing a little piece about jellied eels." The host was Vincent Ball "who introduces each item with as much enthusiasm as he can muster while surrounded by youngsters who dance amid regal surroundings which vaguely remind me of those scarlet and gold cinemas." And of course all the singers employed that "scandalous" miming, that "shows to what extent the disc market has a hold on the entertainment business"

Hi, Summer! (July 22nd 1960, BBC)
'MC' revealed that the successful star of last year's series, Kenneth Connor, was back, but the rest of the cast were new, including singer Jill Day and dancer Douglas Squires. "Newcomer from the chorus ranks is Valerie Brooks of the Television Toppers. Producer George Inns has tried her out for undemanding comedy singing and she may shape well in supporting roles." As for this show, "here we had Kenneth Connor giving reaction to a hive of bees. Funniest line: 'I hope you are not one of those anti-blood sports people. I assure you the bees enjoy it (being killed) every bit as much as we do.' For my taste the best sketch, scripted by Barry Took and Hugh Woodhouse was the Chinese sketch at the end"

Wakey Wakey Tavern (September 17th 1960, BBC)
'J O'T': "Many artists boast of having been born in a trunk, but only Billy Cotton would have the temerity to open a show from one!... He sang Mais Oui in a manner that made you wonder why it was the King Brothers who made the charts and not BC... Excellent teamwork was evident throughout, particularly in a medley skit on a holiday camp. Sid James appeared slightly ill at ease during his turn despite good material. The smiles looked forced, maybe because he feels the strain of working without Hancock. The Rita Williams' Singers sing more and more like American Ray Coniff's Singers, but then so do most of the groups these days. Vanessa Lee sang well and exhibited a sense of humour when Cotton and James left her after a number. Her comment on their lack of gallantry, not picked up by the mike, was 'charming'"

Parade (October 5th 1960, BBC)
'GT' reviewed this edition of the series: "There wasn't enough of Alan Melville. Parade, which is supposed to be a television magazine, is in reality a variety show with Melville popping up now and again in different disguises. Last week he was a woman in a washing powder commercial who chose the wrong pile of washing. Also he turned up as Falstaff, Henry V and Richard III in a little episode called An Eternity of Kings. All was brilliant satire- but it was not nearly enough. Parade is obviously the wrong title and the concept of the show is also wrong. Satire needs a more intimate atmosphere... Melville needs A Son of Fred kind of show. He may not be as goonish as Peter Sellers but his satire has a certain bite to it and a little corn. Despite my disappointment however, I liked Melville's guests, especially Dave King and The Davison Brothers"

To Comedy TV Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

Muswell Hill

Return to the Beggar My Neighbour

Menu

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

68

Back to The Larkins

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.


Anthony Bygraves, his son

back

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Patrick Allen

back