Tony Hancock 100

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Calling All Forces (1952) And Star Bill (1954) Sketches

20240512

Radio 4 Extra celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of comic actor Tony Hancock – born 12th May 1924 - with a collection of rarely heard and previously lost radio programmes.

Introducing the shows, Jim Lee is joined by Martin Gibbons, president of the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society, who have helped find some of the lost tapes.

Tony Hancock stars in sketches from the BBC Light Programme's Calling All Forces and Star Bill.

In a previously lost sketch from the Calling All Forces (25.02.1952), Tony Hancock reprises his role as the tutor to Peter Brough's ventriloquial doll, Archie Andrews, in Educating Archie, grandiosely having the “pleasure of telling you the story of my life ?.

Tony Hancock developed the character of 'Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock' – a version of himself he played in Hancock's Half Hour, through the many iterations of the BBC Light Programme's variety show Star Bill (Forces All Star Bill, All Star Bill), also written by Hancock Half Hour creators, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.

In two surviving sketches from Star Bill (21.03.1954) from the BBC archive we hear Tony Hancock first welcome unsuspecting guests to the “Seaview Boarding House. Proprietor A. Hancock ?. Played by Graham Clark and Moria Lister, the couple are welcomed to this “ - .rat trap - .I mean...suntrap ?.

In the second sketch, Tony Hancock's soak in the bath is disturbed when Moira Lister asks Graham Stark and Tony to help her move some furniture. She leaves out one vital piece of information, that Tony's not best pleased with: “the piano? That bloomin great heavy walnut piece - .

Sketch from Calling All Forces, introduced by Ted Ray and starring Tony Hancock, first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in February 1952.

Episode writers: Bob Monkhouse and Denis Goodwin. Tony Hancock performing his own material.

Producers: John Hooper & Leslie Bridgmont.

Surviving sketches from Star Bill, starring Tony Hancock, Graham Stark and Moira Lister, first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in March 1954.

Producer: Dennis Main Wilson.

Many thanks to the Bob Monkhouse Archive/Kaleidoscope who found the lost 'Calling All Forces' 1952 sketch, and provided it to the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society, for use in BBC Radio 4 Extra's Hancock 100 celebration.

Tony Hancock in a lost sketch from Calling All Forces (1952), and two Star Bill sketches.

Tony Hancock stars in a rediscovered sketch from Calling All Forces in 1952, and two sketches from Star Bill in 1954.

Hancock And Terry-thomas, Calling All Forces Sketch (1952)

20240512

Radio 4 Extra celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of comic actor Tony Hancock – born 12th May 1924 - with a collection of rarely heard and previously lost radio programmes.

Introducing the shows, Jim Lee is joined by Martin Gibbons, president of the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society, who have helped find some of the lost tapes.

Tony Hancock stars in this previously lost sketch from the BBC Light Programme's Calling All Forces from May 1952.

In this edition of the variety show of sketches and music, Tony compered the show with comedian Charlie Chester, alongside Josephine Crombie. It also features a special guest star appearance from radio, TV and film comedy star, Terry-Thomas (I'm All Right Jack, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World).

Responding to the threat of TV, Tony Hancock and the team decide to create a ‘TV society drama for radio', their own version of Lady Chatterley. With Tony as one of the her suitors, “Puffy Hancock ?, and Terry-Thomas as Lady Chatterley's overly attentive butler, what could go wrong - .

Written by Bob Monkhouse and Denis Goodwin.

Producers: Jacques Brown & John Hooper

A sketch from Calling All Forces first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme 5th May 1952.

Many thanks to the Bob Monkhouse Archive/Kaleidoscope who found this lost 'Calling All Forces' 1952 sketch, and provided it to the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society, for use in BBC Radio 4 Extra's Hancock 100 celebration.

Tony Hancock in a lost sketch from Calling All Forces. With Terry-Thomas. From 1952.

Tony Hancock in a lost sketch from Calling All Forces. With Charlie Chester, Josephine Crombie and Terry-Thomas. From 1952.

Hancock's Half Hour, A Visit To Swansea (1955)

20240512

Radio 4 Extra celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of comic actor Tony Hancock – born 12 May 1924 - with a collection of rarely heard and previously lost radio programmes.

Introducing the shows, Jim Lee is joined by Martin Gibbons, president of the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society, who have helped find some of the lost tapes.

Radio 4 Extra presents a long lost episode of Hancock's Half Hour – A Visit To Swansea.

Rediscovered and restored by radio enthusiasts, The Radio Circle, it was first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme on the 10th May 1955, just two days before Tony Hancock's 31st birthday.

Tony Hancock had taken an unscheduled trip to Italy, leaving Hancock Half Hour's producer, Dennis Main Wilson, to ask Harry Secombe to step in to star in the first three episodes of the second series of Hancock's Half Hour.

The fourth episode saw Tony return, and begrudgingly make ‘A Visit To Swansea', to thank Harry Secombe for stepping in. Although the first two minutes are sadly missing, the remainder of the show, long searched for, is gloriously restored.

Ray Galton and Alan Simpson's classic comedy about the life and times of Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock.

Starring Tony Hancock.

With:

Andree Melly

Theme and incidental music composed and conducted by Wally Stott.

Producer: Dennis Main Wilson

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in May 1955.

****

This episode was found by Richard Harrison of The Radio Circle, with an introduction by Keith Wickham.

Can the Lad find Harry Secombe to say thanks for stepping in for him? Stars Tony Hancock.

A lost episode: Can the Lad find Harry Secombe to say thanks for stepping in for him? Stars Tony Hancock. From May 1955.

Star Bill, 07-06-1953

20240512

Radio 4 Extra celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of comic actor Tony Hancock – born 12th May 1924 - with a collection of rarely heard and previously lost radio programmes.

Introducing the shows, Jim Lee is joined by Martin Gibbons, president of the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society, who have helped find some of the lost tapes.

Tony Hancock stars in this previously lost episode of the BBC Light Programme's Star Bill, from June 1953.

A variety show of sketches and music, he's joined by Graham Stark and Geraldine McEwan, with special guest star appearance by comedian, Ted Ray.

This lost episode was written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson – who would go on to write Hancock's Half Hour. It was first broadcast in the week following Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, and there are affectionate sketches paying comic homage to the great event.

Singing Personalities

Lizbeth Webb

David Hughes

Instrumental Personality

Semprini

The George Mitchell Glee Club

The Stanley Black Concert Orchestra

Producer: Alastair Scott-Johnston

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme on the 7th June 1953.

Many thanks to the Bob Monkhouse Archive/Kaleidoscope who found this lost episode, and provided it to the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society, for use in BBC Radio 4 Extra's Hancock 100 celebration.

Tony Hancock in a lost 1953 episode of Star Bill. Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.

Tony Hancock stars in a ‘lost' variety show from 1953. With Ted Ray. Plus the role of Bob Monkhouse in its recovery.

Steve Punt's Hancock Cuttings

20240512

Celebrating Tony Hancock's centenary, fan Steve Punt presents oddities and rarities featuring The Lad Himself:

* BBC TV's FACE TO FACE interview (1960)

Episode from the TV series in which John Freeman cross-examined leading personalities of the day. Here he interviews the radio and TV comedian, Tony Hancock.

* 'ANCOCK'S ANTHOLOGY – the BBC Light Programme's Christmas Day miscellany of the comic's favourite music, readings and an interview with Stirling Moss (25/12/1964)

* THE MISSING PAGE – the Pye Records re-recording of the TV episode (1965) On a visit to Cheam Library, the lad is appalled to be told he has some outstanding fines to pay. With Graham Stark, Clive Dunn and Frank Thornton. Written by Ray Galton & Alan Simpson.

* EDUCATING ARCHIE (19/10/1951)

Tony Hancock, Julie Andrews and Hattie Jacques join wisecracking schoolboy Archie Andrews. Cinema high-jinks and Dr Hancock lets Archie use his 'Wishing Chair'. Radio ventriloquism from Peter Brough. Written by Eric Sykes.

* The first ever episode of HANCOCK'S HALF HOUR 'The First Night Party' (BBC Light Programme 02/11/1954) The lad throws a launch party for his new series, but things don't quite go to plan. With Moira Lister, Bill Kerr, Sidney James, Kenneth Williams and Gerald Campion. Written by Ray Galton & Alan Simpson.

Producer: Mik Wilkojc.

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in November 2014.

***Broadcast as part of Tony Hancock 100 - Radio 4 Extra's celebration of Tony Hancock on what would have been his 100th birthday – starting at 5pm Sunday 12th May 2024 - featuring rare and lost recordings, including a newly rediscovered lost episode of Hancock's Half Hour - A Visit to Swansea from 1955. Available to Catch up on BBC Sounds***

Tony Hancock fan Steve Punt presents oddities and rarities featuring The Lad Himself.

Fan Steve Punt presents oddities and rarities featuring Tony Hancock: Face To Face, 'Ancock's Anthology, The Missing Page, Educating Archie and the first ever Hancock's Half Hour.

Episodes

Title	First Broadcast	Comments
Calling All Forces (1952) And Star Bill (1954) Sketches	20240512	Radio 4 Extra celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of comic actor Tony Hancock – born 12th May 1924 - with a collection of rarely heard and previously lost radio programmes. Introducing the shows, Jim Lee is joined by Martin Gibbons, president of the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society, who have helped find some of the lost tapes. Tony Hancock stars in sketches from the BBC Light Programme's Calling All Forces and Star Bill. In a previously lost sketch from the Calling All Forces (25.02.1952), Tony Hancock reprises his role as the tutor to Peter Brough's ventriloquial doll, Archie Andrews, in Educating Archie, grandiosely having the “pleasure of telling you the story of my life ?. Tony Hancock developed the character of 'Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock' – a version of himself he played in Hancock's Half Hour, through the many iterations of the BBC Light Programme's variety show Star Bill (Forces All Star Bill, All Star Bill), also written by Hancock Half Hour creators, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. In two surviving sketches from Star Bill (21.03.1954) from the BBC archive we hear Tony Hancock first welcome unsuspecting guests to the “Seaview Boarding House. Proprietor A. Hancock ?. Played by Graham Clark and Moria Lister, the couple are welcomed to this “ - .rat trap - .I mean...suntrap ?. In the second sketch, Tony Hancock's soak in the bath is disturbed when Moira Lister asks Graham Stark and Tony to help her move some furniture. She leaves out one vital piece of information, that Tony's not best pleased with: “the piano? That bloomin great heavy walnut piece - . Sketch from Calling All Forces, introduced by Ted Ray and starring Tony Hancock, first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in February 1952. Episode writers: Bob Monkhouse and Denis Goodwin. Tony Hancock performing his own material. Producers: John Hooper & Leslie Bridgmont. Surviving sketches from Star Bill, starring Tony Hancock, Graham Stark and Moira Lister, first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in March 1954. Producer: Dennis Main Wilson. Many thanks to the Bob Monkhouse Archive/Kaleidoscope who found the lost 'Calling All Forces' 1952 sketch, and provided it to the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society, for use in BBC Radio 4 Extra's Hancock 100 celebration. Tony Hancock in a lost sketch from Calling All Forces (1952), and two Star Bill sketches. Tony Hancock stars in a rediscovered sketch from Calling All Forces in 1952, and two sketches from Star Bill in 1954.
Hancock And Terry-thomas, Calling All Forces Sketch (1952)	20240512	Radio 4 Extra celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of comic actor Tony Hancock – born 12th May 1924 - with a collection of rarely heard and previously lost radio programmes. Introducing the shows, Jim Lee is joined by Martin Gibbons, president of the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society, who have helped find some of the lost tapes. Tony Hancock stars in this previously lost sketch from the BBC Light Programme's Calling All Forces from May 1952. In this edition of the variety show of sketches and music, Tony compered the show with comedian Charlie Chester, alongside Josephine Crombie. It also features a special guest star appearance from radio, TV and film comedy star, Terry-Thomas (I'm All Right Jack, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World). Responding to the threat of TV, Tony Hancock and the team decide to create a ‘TV society drama for radio', their own version of Lady Chatterley. With Tony as one of the her suitors, “Puffy Hancock ?, and Terry-Thomas as Lady Chatterley's overly attentive butler, what could go wrong - . Written by Bob Monkhouse and Denis Goodwin. Producers: Jacques Brown & John Hooper A sketch from Calling All Forces first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme 5th May 1952. Many thanks to the Bob Monkhouse Archive/Kaleidoscope who found this lost 'Calling All Forces' 1952 sketch, and provided it to the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society, for use in BBC Radio 4 Extra's Hancock 100 celebration. Tony Hancock in a lost sketch from Calling All Forces. With Terry-Thomas. From 1952. Tony Hancock in a lost sketch from Calling All Forces. With Charlie Chester, Josephine Crombie and Terry-Thomas. From 1952.
Hancock's Half Hour, A Visit To Swansea (1955)	20240512	Radio 4 Extra celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of comic actor Tony Hancock – born 12 May 1924 - with a collection of rarely heard and previously lost radio programmes. Introducing the shows, Jim Lee is joined by Martin Gibbons, president of the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society, who have helped find some of the lost tapes. Radio 4 Extra presents a long lost episode of Hancock's Half Hour – A Visit To Swansea. Rediscovered and restored by radio enthusiasts, The Radio Circle, it was first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme on the 10th May 1955, just two days before Tony Hancock's 31st birthday. Tony Hancock had taken an unscheduled trip to Italy, leaving Hancock Half Hour's producer, Dennis Main Wilson, to ask Harry Secombe to step in to star in the first three episodes of the second series of Hancock's Half Hour. The fourth episode saw Tony return, and begrudgingly make ‘A Visit To Swansea', to thank Harry Secombe for stepping in. Although the first two minutes are sadly missing, the remainder of the show, long searched for, is gloriously restored. Ray Galton and Alan Simpson's classic comedy about the life and times of Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock. Starring Tony Hancock. With: Andree Melly Theme and incidental music composed and conducted by Wally Stott. Producer: Dennis Main Wilson First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in May 1955. **** This episode was found by Richard Harrison of The Radio Circle, with an introduction by Keith Wickham. Can the Lad find Harry Secombe to say thanks for stepping in for him? Stars Tony Hancock. A lost episode: Can the Lad find Harry Secombe to say thanks for stepping in for him? Stars Tony Hancock. From May 1955.
Star Bill, 07-06-1953	20240512	Radio 4 Extra celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of comic actor Tony Hancock – born 12th May 1924 - with a collection of rarely heard and previously lost radio programmes. Introducing the shows, Jim Lee is joined by Martin Gibbons, president of the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society, who have helped find some of the lost tapes. Tony Hancock stars in this previously lost episode of the BBC Light Programme's Star Bill, from June 1953. A variety show of sketches and music, he's joined by Graham Stark and Geraldine McEwan, with special guest star appearance by comedian, Ted Ray. This lost episode was written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson – who would go on to write Hancock's Half Hour. It was first broadcast in the week following Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, and there are affectionate sketches paying comic homage to the great event. Singing Personalities Lizbeth Webb David Hughes Instrumental Personality Semprini The George Mitchell Glee Club The Stanley Black Concert Orchestra Producer: Alastair Scott-Johnston First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme on the 7th June 1953. Many thanks to the Bob Monkhouse Archive/Kaleidoscope who found this lost episode, and provided it to the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society, for use in BBC Radio 4 Extra's Hancock 100 celebration. Tony Hancock in a lost 1953 episode of Star Bill. Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. Tony Hancock stars in a ‘lost' variety show from 1953. With Ted Ray. Plus the role of Bob Monkhouse in its recovery.
Steve Punt's Hancock Cuttings	20240512	Celebrating Tony Hancock's centenary, fan Steve Punt presents oddities and rarities featuring The Lad Himself: * BBC TV's FACE TO FACE interview (1960) Episode from the TV series in which John Freeman cross-examined leading personalities of the day. Here he interviews the radio and TV comedian, Tony Hancock. * 'ANCOCK'S ANTHOLOGY – the BBC Light Programme's Christmas Day miscellany of the comic's favourite music, readings and an interview with Stirling Moss (25/12/1964) * THE MISSING PAGE – the Pye Records re-recording of the TV episode (1965) On a visit to Cheam Library, the lad is appalled to be told he has some outstanding fines to pay. With Graham Stark, Clive Dunn and Frank Thornton. Written by Ray Galton & Alan Simpson. * EDUCATING ARCHIE (19/10/1951) Tony Hancock, Julie Andrews and Hattie Jacques join wisecracking schoolboy Archie Andrews. Cinema high-jinks and Dr Hancock lets Archie use his 'Wishing Chair'. Radio ventriloquism from Peter Brough. Written by Eric Sykes. * The first ever episode of HANCOCK'S HALF HOUR 'The First Night Party' (BBC Light Programme 02/11/1954) The lad throws a launch party for his new series, but things don't quite go to plan. With Moira Lister, Bill Kerr, Sidney James, Kenneth Williams and Gerald Campion. Written by Ray Galton & Alan Simpson. Producer: Mik Wilkojc. Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in November 2014. *Broadcast as part of Tony Hancock 100 - Radio 4 Extra's celebration of Tony Hancock on what would have been his 100th birthday – starting at 5pm Sunday 12th May 2024 - featuring rare and lost recordings, including a newly rediscovered lost episode of Hancock's Half Hour - A Visit to Swansea from 1955. Available to Catch up on BBC Sounds* Tony Hancock fan Steve Punt presents oddities and rarities featuring The Lad Himself. Fan Steve Punt presents oddities and rarities featuring Tony Hancock: Face To Face, 'Ancock's Anthology, The Missing Page, Educating Archie and the first ever Hancock's Half Hour.