For those of you who are unfamiliar with his work, in the radio series, Tony Hancock played Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock, a down-at-heel comedian living at the dilapidated 23 Railway Cuttings in East Cheam. The series was influential in the development of the situation comedy, with its move away from music hall variety and towards a focus on character development. The show is considered a classic of its genre and ran from 1954 until 1961. The radio shows also featured Syd James, Hattie Jacques, and Kenneth Williams; amongst many others.
The most famous of the shows were The Blood Donor and The Radio Ham, both of which we featured last month on the original Jammy Toast. What we have managed to find though, is a collection of rare radio shows, many of which have never been heard since they were originally broadcast. Many of them were even believed lost because of the BBC’s habit of reusing magnetic tape reels in the 1950s and 1960s.
To start the ball rolling, Tony decides to buy a television set. Living in the only house in Railway Cuttings without a telly, the lad acts. The show stars Tony Hancock, Bill Kerr, Sidney James, Andree Melly and Kenneth Williams. The show was written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
This show was first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in June 1955.
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60 Comments on “Hancock’s Half Hour #1”
So sad about Tony Hancock. Everyone loved him but he thought he was rubbish and so drank himself to death.
There’s a lot of canned laughter.
At least he’s got his bed!
It’s the lad himself.
He doesn’t half look a miserable git.
I remember that trombone theme they play at the beginning. I must have heard this somewhere before to remember that.
Sounds old.
1955 sounds old. Crikey, even I wasn’t born!
Does East Cheam actually exist?
Cheam is in London but not sure there is an East Cheam. Think it was just a fictional address he used like Sykes used 28 Sebastopol Terrace, East Acton.
Although East Acton does exists.
I love the film he done about being a modern artist.
The Rebel. One of my Faves!
He was jealous of Sid James because he thought he was the real star.
It’s a disgrace that when I lose weight it comes off my tits first rather than my fucking stomach & thighs. Lost half a stone and I’m now officially CEO of the itty bitty titty committee.
ONE DRINK AWAY is out TOMORROW! The video will be premiered on my YouTube channel tomorrow at 5pm UK time – link below. Razzbox I’ll see you in the live chat 30 mins before, see you there! xx
https://youtu.be/xShuZve-Bi0
Davidd you always speak of your mum, here is mine…
Mum: “Which university is your niece at? It begins with A”.
Me: “Nottingham”.
Pause
Mum: “Well, it HAS an A”.
Not only on lockdown but The Wirral has been annexed to Liverpool. Be Lacoste tanks rumbling up Borough Rd soon.
Do u ever have so much to do that u can’t do any of it so u just sit there wasting time.
Roses are red
Salmon is pink
Poems are hard
Feed me.
#NationalPoetryDay
I’m fucking BACK.
On ITV tonight… The cost of British Funerals. Oh do fuck off. I’m depressed enough!
Razzbox not long now…
Eee remember when ya used to think ya was unreal walking round in ya pauls boutique jacket & bag, me shiny disco American Apparel pants and converse? wtf.
When you order groceries online & Walmart just assumes I know how much 187 ml is. I thought I was getting a good deal, I actually got a child sized bottle of Prosecco. It isn’t Walmart’s fault America never taught me the metric system.
Belter idea tha 4 hour nap waking up at these bells, good one nob ed.
Apologies we not comment on great blog before now. Uzbekistan have changed Wi-Fi password! This is act of war. Retaliation will be forceful! Currently leaning from window to achieve Wi-Fi from Tajikistan.
What’s the criteria for a cheque book ? Never seen anyone my age chattin cheques it’s always arl fossils
Going to get a hammer & sickle tattoo so my family has something to talk about at our inevitable zoom thanksgiving.
Ann Widdecombe was on the telly. So I unplugged it & put it in the bin. I can still hear her.
Good morning world.
Good morning to everyone apart from those who don’t know all the words to Deacon Blue – Dignity. You no good shower of bastards.
I don’t really enjoy the icing on a cake. I often pull off the icing and leave it. The icing is just there to get your attention.
You might find it hard to believe that my human used to be scared of Dorothy. My human wasn’t used to cats and Dorothy kept scratching her. She has stopped scratching her, which makes me hopeful that one day she will stop smacking me.
If the president of the United States, the strongest, healthiest specimen of humanity who has ever lived can catch the virus, then so can you.
WEAR A FUCKING MASK!
Friday thank fuckin fuck for that!
Odgie tanks outside the tunnel. The annexation is beginning. Went to bed on The Wirral, woke up in Liverpool City Region. Like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz only more camp.
Good morning to me, myself and Irene only x
If you believe the government have done a good job, you need kicking all over the place by a gang of naked dwarves with dog shite on their boots and saying ‘Fri-yay’ deserves a dig to the back of the head.
Anyway, have a good day, yer meffs.
Me mums adamant I am not going to hers from tomorrow and me birds adamant she not going to be staying over.
Lockdown restrictions with no end date!!!!!!
Rolf report 2 Oct
There’s a certain time of day when the sun hits the back window & I can stretch out & soak up an enormous sun puddle. When the light hits my fur, the humans can see I’m a black cat with a red tinge and black spots. Every black cat is uniquely different.
Rolf x
It’s stormy outside so I’ve decided to use my indoor skills. I’m doing a test of the reading area in year four – yes I can confirm that the cushions are comfy & the blanket is soft. Might stay here for a bit to be 100% sure.
You can tell the cat’s in a good mood because she hasn’t bitten me yet.
I just tested positive for UNFUCKINBEARABLE.
How annoying is it when you’re in love with a massive twat x
Ask him lol
I love how of instead of Caffy blaggin n sayin ahh it’s not too bad of a butchers haircut she goes the full mile n robs the last bitta dignity I had left.
Melania now has the perfect excuse to inject Trump with bleach then plausibly claim that he ordered her to do it.
It’s going to be raining cats and dogs today, according to Mrs Bird. I think I’m going to need something a little sturdier than my umbrella.
Hope everybody is doing okay this week! See you tonight for Gogglebox.
It’s October! Feels like the perfect time to ghost my therapist.
Just called someone a pleb haven’t heard it in fuckin years. Nit aswell thinking of it, some awful shouts from years ago these.
I have been diagnosed as a Cockwomble Intolerant.
Light at the end of the tunnel or the light of an oncoming train?
I need new loungewear cos i cut about in my boyfriends clothes and i went downstairs to make us breakfast and his kitchen was full of his brother & mates and they all laughed at me for being dressed like a bricklayer. Not that there’s anything wrong w bricklayers, am just not one.
World Tripe Day coming soon…
A traffic jam when you’re already late…
Ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife…
Trump getting COVID…
Isn’t it ironic? Don’t ya think???
Well that’s me done with work for 9 days!
Am I the only one who is “skeptical” that Trump has Covid?
Fuckin’ Storm Alex brings heavy fuckin’ rain and high winds to the UK!
Day 2 of not eating bread, and tbh I’m dyin for a curry chip butty!!