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Hancock's Half Hour |
| Date | # | Ser | Title | First Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series 1, 1954/55, 16 shows | ||||
|
Tony Hancock, Moira Lister, Bill Kerr, Sidney James Wally Stott, BBC Augmented Review Orchestra, cond Harry Rabinowitz Script by Ray Galton & Alan Simpson Produced by Dennis Main Wilson |
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| 2 Nov 1954 | 1 | A1 | First Night Party | Announcer: Yes, this is the first night of the lad's new radio series |
| 9 Nov 1954 | 2 | A2 | The Diamond Ring | |
| 16 Nov 1954 | 3 | A3 | The Idol | Moira: Honestly Bill, Tony's getting impossible |
| 23 Nov 1954 | 4 | A4 | The Boxing Champion | Announcer: At some time or other, everybody feels run down |
| 30 Nov 1954 | 5 | A5 | The Hancock Festival | |
| 7 Dec 1954 | 6 | A6 | The New Car | Announcer: The task of being a comedy star is a hard one |
| 14 Dec 1954 | 7 | A7 | The Department Store Santa | |
| 21 Dec 1954 | 8 | A8 | Christmas at Aldershot | |
| 28 Dec 1954 | 9 | A9 | The Christmas Eve Party | |
| 4 Jan 1955 | 10 | A10 | Cinderella Hancock | Announcer: It's amazing that even in this modern day and age |
| 11 Jan 1955 | 11 | A11 | A Trip to France | [splashing] Tony: Any sign of a lifeboat yet, Number One? |
| 18 Jan 1955 | 12 | A12 | The Monte Carlo Rally | Announcer: This week, the whole of Europe is tense with excitement |
| 25 Jan 1955 | 13 | A13 | A House on the Cliff | Announcer: One of the biggest items in the cost of living today |
| 1 Feb 1955 | 14 | A14 | The Sheikh | Announcer: What does a comedian do when he's not working? |
| 8 Feb 1955 | 15 | A15 | The Marriage Bureau | |
| 15 Feb 1955 | 16 | A16 | The End of the Series | Tony: And do you know what he did then? This episode starts as the final show is just ending |
| Series 2 - 1955, 12 shows | ||||
|
Cast: Tony Hancock, Bill Kerr, Sidney James, Andrée Melley, Kenneth Williams Music: Wally Stott, BBC Augmented Review Orchestra, cond Harry Rabinowitz Script: Ray Galton & Alan Simpson Producer: Dennis Main Wilson |
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| 19 Apr 1955 | 17 | B1 | A Holiday in France | |
| 26 Apr 1955 | 18 | B2 | The Crown Jewels | |
| 1 May 1955 | 19 | B3 | The Racehorse | |
| 8 May 1955 | 20 | B4 | A Visit to Swansea | |
| 15 May 1955 | 21 | B5 | The Holiday Camp | Kenneth: At some time or other, each of us gets the message |
| 23 May 1955 | 22 | B6 | The Chef that Died of Shame | Kenneth: Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce Mr Anthony Hancock? |
| 30 May 1955 | 23 | B7 | Prime Minister Hancock | |
| 7 Jun 1955 | 24 | B8 | The Rail Strike | [Train noise] Tony: Just thought you'd like to hear one again. |
| 14 Jun 1955 | 25 | B9 | The Television Set | Kenneth: There comes a time in the affairs of man |
| 21 Jun 1955 | 26 | B10 | The Three Sons | |
| 28 Jun 1955 | 27 | B11 | The Marrow Contest | [Bird song] Tony: Hup! To me! To you! |
| 5 Jul 1955 | 28 | B12 | The Matador | |
| Series 3 - 1955/56, 20 shows | ||||
|
Cast: Tony Hancock, Bill Kerr, Sidney James, Andrée Melley, Kenneth Williams Music: Wally Stott, BBC Augmented Review Orchestra, cond Harry Rabinowitz Script: Ray Galton & Alan Simpson Producer: Dennis Main Wilson |
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| 19 Oct 1955 | 29 | C1 | The Pet Dog | Announcer: During the past three months, while Tony Hancock has been off the air |
| 26 Oct 1955 | 30 | C2 | The Jewel Robbery | [Breaking glass] Andrée: Post's arrived, Tony |
| 2 Nov 1955 | 31 | C3 | The Bequest | Tony: 12, 13, 14 ... one and ninepence ha'penny. |
| 9 Nov 1955 | 32 | C4 | The New Neighbour | |
| 16 Nov 1955 | 33 | C5 | The Winter Holiday | |
| 23 Nov 1955 | 34 | C6 | The Blackboard Jungle | [Dramatic music] Ken: Ladies and gentlemen, tonight Mr Hancock has decided to render a great public service |
| 30 Nov 1955 | 35 | C7 | The Red Planet | |
| 7 Dec 1955 | 36 | C8 | The Diet | [Indistinct] Interviewer: Now about this film you're making |
| 14 Dec 1955 | 37 | C9 | A Visit to Russia | |
| 21 Dec 1955 | 38 | C10 | The Trial of Father Christmas | |
| 28 Dec 1955 | 39 | C11 | Cinderella Hancock | |
| 4 Jan 1956 | 40 | C12 | The New Year Resolutions | |
| 11 Jan 1956 | 41 | C13 | Hancock's Hair | Tony: Seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven. Six up on the bathroom floor. |
| 18 Jan 1956 | 42 | C14 | The Student Prince | Kenneth: Mr Sidney James. Sid: That's right. |
| 25 Jan 1956 | 43 | C15 | The Breakfast Cereal | |
| 1 Feb 1956 | 44 | C16 | How Hancock Won the War | Tony: I'm taking a shower, Andrée. |
| 8 Feb 1956 | 45 | C17 | The Newspaper | |
| 15 Feb 1956 | 46 | C18 | The Greyhound Track | Tony: So that's all there is to it - I've decided to have the house |
| 22 Feb 1956 | 47 | C19 | The Conjurer | Tony: Now then, listen, how does this sound? |
| 29 Feb 1956 | 48 | C20 | The Test Match | Tony: I'll have middle and leg, please. |
| Series 4 - 1956/57, 20 shows | ||||
| Cast: Tony Hancock, Sidney James, Bill Kerr, Hattie Jaques (from D5), Kenneth Williams Music composed and conducted: Wally Stott Script: Alan Simpson & Ray Galton Producer: Dennis Main Wilson |
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| 14 Oct 1956 | 49 | D1 | Back from Holiday | [Car backfiring] Bill: Car's going better since we had the new engine put in |
| 21 Oct 1956 | 50 | D2 | The Bolshoi Ballet | [Tony singing along with ballet music, accompanied by crashes] Bill: Tub, Tub, what are you doing in that dining room? |
| 28 Oct 1956 | 51 | D3 | Sid James's Dad | [Tony and Bill playing Monopoly] |
| 4 Nov 1956 | 52 | D4 | The Income Tax Demand | [Knock on door] Postman: Morning. Tony: Ah, good morning, postman |
| 11 Nov 1956 | 53 | D5 | The New Secretary | Tony: Bill! Bill! Bill: What? Tony: Where's me quill? |
| 18 Nov 1956 | 54 | D6 | Michaelangelo 'Ancock | Bill: Is that the local paper, Tub? |
| 25 Nov 1956 | 55 | D7 | Anna and the King Of Siam | Announcer: Recently, in London's West End, filmgoers |
| 2 Dec 1956 | 56 | D8 | Cyrano de Hancock | Bill: Tub - have you seen Sid lately? |
| 9 Dec 1956 | 57 | D9 | The Stolen Petrol | Bill: Hey, Tub, here's a letter from Sid James. I recognise the handwriting. |
| 16 Dec 1956 | 58 | D10 | The Espresso Bar | Bill: Tub, Tub, where are you? Tony: Quiet, I'm on the phone. |
| 23 Dec 1956 | 59 | D11 | Hancock's Happy Christmas | Tony: For the last time, we are not having any decorations. |
| 30 Dec 1956 | 60 | D12 | The Diary | Tony: Oh well, December 31st. Another year over. |
| 6 Jan 1957 | 61 | D13 | The 13th of the Series | Announcer: Today being the 13th programme in the present series |
| 13 Jan 1957 | 62 | D14 | Almost a Gentleman | Bill: Listen, Tub, we have the same trouble every January. Tony: I don't care. |
| 20 Jan 1957 | 63 | D15 | The Old School Re-Union | Tony: Ah, good morning, postman. Kenneth. Morning. Merry Christmas |
| 27 Jan 1957 | 64 | D16 | The Wild Man of the Woods | [Fade in] Tony: Down with Rent Act |
| 3 Feb 1957 | 65 | D17 | Agricultural 'Ancock | Bill: Come on Tub, you can't just spring this on us without warning. |
| 10 Feb 1957 | 66 | D18 | Hancock in the Police | [Paper rustling] Hattie: Here we are - situations vacant. |
| 17 Feb 1957 | 67 | D19 | The Emigrant | Tony: There's no point in arguing. I've made up my mind - I'm going to emigrate |
| 24 Feb 1957 | 68 | D20 | The Last of the McHancocks | [Bagpipes] Bill: He's off again. |
| Series 5 - 1958, 20 shows + Christmas Special | ||||
| Cast: Tony Hancock, Sidney James, Bill Kerr, Hattie Jaques, Kenneth Williams Music composed and conducted: Wally Stott Script: Alan Simpson & Ray Galton Producer: Tom Ronald |
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| 21 Jan 1958 | 69 | E1 | The New Radio Series | [Phone rings] Hattie: Good afternoon, Anthony Hancock's residence. |
| 28 Jan 1958 | 70 | E2 | The Scandal Magazine | Tony: Good morning, Miss Pugh! Hattie (indignant): Mr Hancock! You ought to be ashamed of yourself! |
| 4 Feb 1958 | 71 | E3 | The Male Suffragettes | [Clattering of dishes & Bill, eating noisily] Tony: Well, William, are you enjoying that porridge? |
| 11 Feb 1958 | 72 | E4 | The Insurance Policy | Tony: Morning, Miss Pugh. Any correspondence for me to answer today? |
| 18 Feb 1958 | 73 | E5 | The Publicity Photograph | Tony: Morning, Miss Pugh. A pile of fan mail to answer, I believe. |
| 25 Feb 1958 | 74 | E6 | The Unexploded Bomb | Kenneth (old man): Ah, Mr Hancock, what a delightful meal this is. |
| 4 Mar 1958 | 75 | E7 | Hancock's School | Tony: Now come on William, now try it once more. |
| 11 Mar 1958 | 76 | E8 | Around the World in Eighty Days | [Music: Around The World] Kenneth: Around the world in eighty days. |
| 18 Mar 1958 | 77 | E9 | The Americans Hit Town | Hattie (excited): Mr Hancock, have you seen the papers? |
| 25 Mar 1958 | 78 | E10 | The Election Candidate | [Crockery clatter} Hattie: More cornflakes, Mr Hancock? |
| 1 Apr 1958 | 79 | E11 | Hancock's Car | Tony: Now then, where shall we start? There's three of us |
| 8 Apr 1958 | 80 | E12 | The East Cheam Drama Festival | Kenneth: Ladies and gentlemen. This week marks the centenary of the East Cheam Festival of Art. |
| 15 Apr 1958 | 81 | E13 | The Foreign Legion | Tony: Morning, Miss Pugh. Where's this week's bundle of fan mail? |
| 22 Apr 1958 | 82 | E14 | Sunday Afternoon at Home | [Tony, yawning]: Oh dear. Dear me. [Sigh] Stone me, what a life. |
| 29 Apr 1958 | 83 | E15 | The Grappling Game | Tony: Bill! Come and help me with me bow tie. |
| 6 May 1958 | 84 | E16 | The Junk Man | Hattie: Don't you think it's about time you cleared all that rubbish out of the sideboard? |
| 13 May 1958 | 85 | E17 | Hancock's War | Tony: Another crumpet, vicar? |
| 20 May 1958 | 86 | E18 | The Prize Money | Bill: Is that the local paper, Tub? |
| 27 May 1958 | 87 | E19 | The Threatening Letters | Tony: Good morning all! [muttering from Bill & Sid] What a beautiful morning! |
| 3 Jun 1958 | 88 | E20 | The Sleepless Night | Tony: That Walter Gabriel! He's a card, isn't he? |
| 1958 Christmas Special | ||||
| Cast: Tony Hancock, Sidney James, Bill Kerr, Hattie Jaques, Kenneth Williams Music composed and conducted: Wally Stott Script: Alan Simpson & Ray Galton Producer: Tom Ronald |
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| 25 Dec 1958 | 89 | ESp | Bill and Father Christmas | Sid: Come on, hurry up. Get the coat on. |
| Transcription Service shows - 4 shows | ||||
| Cast: Tony Hancock, Sidney James, Bill Kerr, Hattie Jaques, Kenneth Williams Music composed and conducted: Wally Stott Script: Alan Simpson & Ray Galton Producer: Tom Ronald |
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| These shows were recorded to make less “topical” versions, or shows that could be slotted in at any point. So the “13th of the (fourth) series” is replaced by the “13th of the month”, “The New Secretary”episode, which introduced Hattie Jaques to the show, is rewritten as a flashback, “The Bolshoi Ballet”, originally broadcast when the Bolshoi was visiting England, is replaced by a more general “Ballet Visit”, and “The Election Candidate” mentions "an election", whereas the original talks about a by-election. These shows are often confused with the originals, and may be difficult to identify from the first lines alone. One major clue, however, is that the Transcription Service versions always start with “The BBC presents ... Hancock's half Hour”, whereas the originals said “We present ...” |
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| 4 Jan 1959 | 90 | TS1 | The 13th of the Month [aka Unlucky 13] Remake of D13 |
Tony (humming): Bill, what date is it today? |
| 11 Jan 1959 | 91 | TS2 | The New Secretary Remake of D5 |
Tony: Miss Pugh! Miss Pugh!! Hattie: What? |
| 18 Jan 1959 | 92 | TS3 | The Ballet Visit Remake of D2 |
[Tony singing along with ballet music, accompanied by crashes] Bill: What are you doing in the dining room? |
| 25 Jan 1959 | 93 | TS4 | The Election Candidate Remake of E10 |
[Teacups clatter] Hattie: More cornflakes, Mr Hancock? |
| Series 6 - 1959, 14 shows | ||||
| Cast: Tony Hancock, Sidney James, Bill Kerr [not F13] plus guest stars Music composed and conducted: Wally Stott Script: Alan Simpson & Ray Galton Producer: Tom Ronald |
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| 29 Sep 1959 | 94 | F1 | The Smugglers | [Ship's hooter] Bill: We're casting off, Tub - I think the ship's leaving |
| 6 Oct 1959 | 95 | F2 | The Childhood Sweetheart | Tony: Bill, what's the date? Bill: It's the 25th. |
| 13 Oct 1959 | 96 | F3 | The Last Bus Home | [Footsteps] Bill: How much further is the bus stop, Tub? |
| 20 Oct 1959 | 97 | F4 | The Picnic | Tony (sings): Oh what a beautiful morning |
| 27 Oct 1959 | 98 | F5 | The Gourmet | [Music] Waiter: Would you care to order now, sir? |
| 3 Nov 1959 | 99 | F6 | The Elopement | Tony: Sid? Sid: What? Tony: I'd like to have a word with you in confidence. |
| 10 Nov 1959 | 100 | F7 | Fred's Pie Stall | Tony: Well I think it's disgusting. Sid: Are you moaning again? |
| 17 Nov 1959 | 101 | F8 | The Waxwork | Tony: Well, there it is, I'm in |
| 24 Nov 1959 | 102 | F9 | Sid's Mystery Tours | [Clatter of cups] Bill: More tea, Tub? Tony: Thank you William, yes. |
| 1 Dec 1959 | 103 | F10 | The Fete | Chairman: Well now gentlemen, the last item on the agenda |
| 8 Dec 1959 | 104 | F11 | The Poetry Society | Tony: Sid, Bill, I want a word with you two. Sid [trademark laugh] |
| 15 Dec 1959 | 105 | F12 | Hancock in Hospital | Nurse: Ah good afternoon to you, Mr Hancock, and how are we feeling today? |
| 22 Dec 1959 | 106 | F13 | The Christmas Club | Sid: What are you looking so pleased about? |
| 29 Dec 1959 | 107 | F14 | The Impersonator | Tony: And so, I will go to the gallows unrepentant |
Links:
Tony Hancock Appreciation Society: www.tonyhancock.org.uk
BBC 7 - Tony Hancock: www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/comedy/progpages/hancock.shtml
The British Comedy Website: www.britishcomedy.org.uk