A BBC Classic Comedy Collection

Hancock’s Half Hour: Selected TV Soundtracks & more

Over 30 brilliant BBC recordings, including TV shows, radio highlights and a wealth of previously unreleased material 
 
Tony Hancock was one of Britain's best-loved and most influential postwar comedians. Collected here are some of the very best radio and TV episodes from Hancock's Half Hour, plus celebrations, compilations, interviews, original dramas and documentaries - many of which have never before been available on audio. 
 
There's the debut show from the radio series, The First Night Party, introduced by writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson; and the last ever BBC television show, The Succession - Son and Heir. Also included are four new-to-audio TV episodes - The Oak Tree, The Train Journey, The Tycoon and The Lift - as well as many other television favourites: The Flight of the Red Shadow, The Wrong Man, The Economy Drive, Lord Byron Lived Here, The Cold, The Emigrant, The Baby Sitters, The Poison Pen Letters, The Bedsitter, The Bowmans, The Radio Ham and The Blood Donor. 
 
Two programmes introduced by Galton and Simpson, The Best of Hancock's Half Hour (Radio) and The Best of Hancock's Half Hour (TV) showcase the show's finest moments, and more classic clips can be found in Unique Hancock, an extended version of the vintage 1973 vinyl LP complete with commentary and linking narration. And in Steve Punt's Hancock Cuttings, included here for the first time on audio, the comedian and Tony Hancock fan presents a host of oddities and rarities featuring the lad himself. 
 
The life and wonderful work of Hancock, his writers, and fellow radio actor Kenneth Williams are commemorated in three never-before-released documentaries - The New Elizabethans: Tony Hancock, Celebration: Galton &amp; Simpson and Great Lives: Kenneth Williams. Also making their audio debut are two poignant radio dramas, Hancock's Last Half Hour (starring Richard Briers as Hancock) and Hancock's Ashes (starring Ewan Bailey as Willie Rushton). 
 
Finally, we go behind-the scenes with Galton and Simpson in a trio of insightful interviews - a fascinating 30-minute discussion, specially recorded for BBC Audio in 2003, and the radio programmes In Conversation with Galton and Simpson and The Complete and Utter History of Hancock's Half Hour, in which the duo chat to Paul Jackson and Paul Merton respectively. 
 
Please note: due to the age of these recordings, the sound quality may vary. 
 
Production credits 
Hancock's Half Hour written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson 
Produced by Dennis Main Wilson (radio) and Duncan Wood (TV) 
Theme and incidental music composed by, and orchestra conducted by, Wally Stott 
Collection compiled by Martin Gibbons 
With thanks to the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society 
 
Contents 
The First Night Party 
The Best of Hancock's Half Hour (Radio) 
The Best of Hancock's Half Hour (TV) 
The Succession: Son and Heir 
The Flight of the Red Shadow 
The Wrong Man 
The Oak Tree 
The Economy Drive 
Lord Byron Lived Here 
The Train Journey 
The Tycoon 
The Cold 
The Emigrant 
The Baby Sitters 
The Poison Pen Letters 
The Bedsitter 
The Bowmans 
The Radio Ham 
The Lift 
The Blood Donor 
Celebration: Galton and Simpson 
Unique Hancock 
Hancock's Last Half Hour 
In Conversation with... Galton and Simpson 
Interview with Galton and Simpson 
The Complete and Utter History of Hancock's Half Hour 
The New Elizabethans: Tony Hancock 
Steve Punt's Hancock Cuttings 
Hancock's Ashes 
Great Lives: Kenneth Williams 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Ray Galton and Alan Simpson met in a sanatorium in Surrey, where they were both being treated for TB. Ray Galton remembers noticing the six-foot-four Simpson and thinking he looked surprisingly large - ‘you expect everyone in a sanatorium to be thin and weedy, and he was the biggest guy I’d ever seen’. During two years in the same ward, they listened to comedy shows together and also wrote a series of their own, creating a radio room in a linen cupboard. 
 
Having left the sanatorium within a few months of each other, they decided to get a professional opinion of their work and sent a sketch they had written called The Pirate Sketch to the BBC. They were asked to go in for an interview, and soon found themselves writing for the sketch show Happy Go Lucky. Over the next two years they continued to write sketches for a number of big names, before coming up with the idea for Hancock’s Half Hour. Although the BBC took some persuading, eventually the show was scheduled, initially for radio but later as a television series. A phenomenally successful ten years later, Galton and Simpson were themselves very well known names. 
 
After Hancock’s Half Hour they wrote Comedy Playhouse for the BBC, out of which came their second huge television and radio hit, Steptoe &amp; Son. In 1977 they wrote The Galton &amp; Simpson Playhouse, produced by Yorkshire Television for ITV.

Over 30 brilliant BBC recordings, including TV shows, radio highlights and a wealth of previously unreleased material 
 
Tony Hancock was one of Britain's best-loved and most influential postwar comedians. Collected here are some of the very best radio and TV episodes from Hancock's Half Hour, plus celebrations, compilations, interviews, original dramas and documentaries - many of which have never before been available on audio. 
 
There's the debut show from the radio series, The First Night Party, introduced by writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson; and the last ever BBC television show, The Succession - Son and Heir. Also included are four new-to-audio TV episodes - The Oak Tree, The Train Journey, The Tycoon and The Lift - as well as many other television favourites: The Flight of the Red Shadow, The Wrong Man, The Economy Drive, Lord Byron Lived Here, The Cold, The Emigrant, The Baby Sitters, The Poison Pen Letters, The Bedsitter, The Bowmans, The Radio Ham and The Blood Donor. 
 
Two programmes introduced by Galton and Simpson, The Best of Hancock's Half Hour (Radio) and The Best of Hancock's Half Hour (TV) showcase the show's finest moments, and more classic clips can be found in Unique Hancock, an extended version of the vintage 1973 vinyl LP complete with commentary and linking narration. And in Steve Punt's Hancock Cuttings, included here for the first time on audio, the comedian and Tony Hancock fan presents a host of oddities and rarities featuring the lad himself. 
 
The life and wonderful work of Hancock, his writers, and fellow radio actor Kenneth Williams are commemorated in three never-before-released documentaries - The New Elizabethans: Tony Hancock, Celebration: Galton &amp; Simpson and Great Lives: Kenneth Williams. Also making their audio debut are two poignant radio dramas, Hancock's Last Half Hour (starring Richard Briers as Hancock) and Hancock's Ashes (starring Ewan Bailey as Willie Rushton). 
 
Finally, we go behind-the scenes with Galton and Simpson in a trio of insightful interviews - a fascinating 30-minute discussion, specially recorded for BBC Audio in 2003, and the radio programmes In Conversation with Galton and Simpson and The Complete and Utter History of Hancock's Half Hour, in which the duo chat to Paul Jackson and Paul Merton respectively. 
 
Please note: due to the age of these recordings, the sound quality may vary. 
 
Production credits 
Hancock's Half Hour written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson 
Produced by Dennis Main Wilson (radio) and Duncan Wood (TV) 
Theme and incidental music composed by, and orchestra conducted by, Wally Stott 
Collection compiled by Martin Gibbons 
With thanks to the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society 
 
Contents 
The First Night Party 
The Best of Hancock's Half Hour (Radio) 
The Best of Hancock's Half Hour (TV) 
The Succession: Son and Heir 
The Flight of the Red Shadow 
The Wrong Man 
The Oak Tree 
The Economy Drive 
Lord Byron Lived Here 
The Train Journey 
The Tycoon 
The Cold 
The Emigrant 
The Baby Sitters 
The Poison Pen Letters 
The Bedsitter 
The Bowmans 
The Radio Ham 
The Lift 
The Blood Donor 
Celebration: Galton and Simpson 
Unique Hancock 
Hancock's Last Half Hour 
In Conversation with... Galton and Simpson 
Interview with Galton and Simpson 
The Complete and Utter History of Hancock's Half Hour 
The New Elizabethans: Tony Hancock 
Steve Punt's Hancock Cuttings 
Hancock's Ashes 
Great Lives: Kenneth Williams 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

New recordings of classic ‘lost’ scripts

The Missing Hancocks: The Complete BBC Radio Series

Kevin McNally and Andy Secombe star in new recordings of original Hancock's Half Hour scripts by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. 
 
Between 1954 and 1959, BBC Radio recorded 102 episodes of the hugely popular comedy classic, Hancock's Half Hour. The first modern sitcom, Hancock's Half Hour made stars of Tony Hancock, Sid James and Kenneth Williams, and launched Ray Galton and Alan Simpson as one of the most successful comedy-writing partnerships in history. 
 
Sadly, 22 episodes of the show went missing from the BBC archives, and have not been heard since their original transmission nearly 60 years ago - until Radio 4 lovingly recreated them over four highly-acclaimed series between 2014 and 2020. In a special treat for Hancock fans, Series 4 also premiered one episode - The Counterfeiter - that was never recorded by the original team. 
 
Complete with the classic score performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra, these hilarious episodes were recorded at the BBC Radio Theatre in front of a live audience. Kevin McNally stars as The Lad Himself, with Andy Secombe playing the role of his father Harry and a stellar cast including Simon Greenall, Kevin Eldon, Robin Sebastian, Margaret Cabourn-Smith and Susy Kane. 
 
Also featured is a bonus Director's Commentary for The Matador, in which Andy Hamilton chats to Kevin McNally and co-producer Neil Pearson about the joys, and challenges, of recreating a 1950s sitcom. In addition, we hear Kevin McNally and Robin Sebastian's riotous performance of 'The Test Pilot' sketch at the 2018 RAF centenary gala at the Royal Albert Hall, and the interview they gave afterwards. 
 
The episodes included in this collection are: 
The Matador 
The Newspaper 
The Hancock Festival 
The Breakfast Cereal 
The New Neighbour 
How Hancock Won the War 
The Red Planet 
The Marriage Bureau 
A Visit to Russia 
The Trial of Father Christmas 
A Holiday in France 
The Crown Jewels 
The Racehorse 
A Visit to Swansea 
The Three Sons 
The Winter Holiday 
Department Store Santa 
The Diamond Ring 
Prime Minister Hancock 
Christmas at Aldershot 
The Counterfeiter 
The Christmas Eve Party 
The New Year Resolutions 
 
 
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson 
Produced by Ed Morrish, Neil Pearson, Paul Sheehan and Hayley Sterling 
Music composed by Wally Stott, and performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Levon Parikian 
Thanks to Tessa Le Bars 
A BBC Studios Production 
 
Originally broadcast on the BBC Light Programme between 1954 and 1959 
Recreated for broadcast by BBC Radio Comedy for BBC Radio 4, 31 October-28 November 2014 (Series 1), 23 November-21 December 2015 (Series 2), 14 March-11 April 2017 (Series 3), 6 December 2018-31 December 2020 (Series 4) 
 
Cast 
Tony Hancock - Kevin McNally 
Bill Kerr - Kevin Eldon 
Sid James - Simon Greenall 
Kenneth Williams - Robin Sebastian 
Andree Melly - Susy Kane 
Moira Lister - Margaret Cabourn-Smith 
Harry Secombe - Andy Secombe 
 
Director's Commentary 
Featuring Andy Hamilton, Kevin McNally and Neil Pearson 
 
'The Test Pilot' sketch 
Performed by Kevin McNally and Tim Sebastian as part of the RAF 100 Gala, first broadcast BBC Radio 2, 6 April 2018 and presented by Ken Bruce

Kevin McNally and Andy Secombe star in new recordings of original Hancock's Half Hour scripts by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. 
 
Between 1954 and 1959, BBC Radio recorded 102 episodes of the hugely popular comedy classic, Hancock's Half Hour. The first modern sitcom, Hancock's Half Hour made stars of Tony Hancock, Sid James and Kenneth Williams, and launched Ray Galton and Alan Simpson as one of the most successful comedy-writing partnerships in history. 
 
Sadly, 22 episodes of the show went missing from the BBC archives, and have not been heard since their original transmission nearly 60 years ago - until Radio 4 lovingly recreated them over four highly-acclaimed series between 2014 and 2020. In a special treat for Hancock fans, Series 4 also premiered one episode - The Counterfeiter - that was never recorded by the original team. 
 
Complete with the classic score performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra, these hilarious episodes were recorded at the BBC Radio Theatre in front of a live audience. Kevin McNally stars as The Lad Himself, with Andy Secombe playing the role of his father Harry and a stellar cast including Simon Greenall, Kevin Eldon, Robin Sebastian, Margaret Cabourn-Smith and Susy Kane. 
 
Also featured is a bonus Director's Commentary for The Matador, in which Andy Hamilton chats to Kevin McNally and co-producer Neil Pearson about the joys, and challenges, of recreating a 1950s sitcom. In addition, we hear Kevin McNally and Robin Sebastian's riotous performance of 'The Test Pilot' sketch at the 2018 RAF centenary gala at the Royal Albert Hall, and the interview they gave afterwards. 
 
The episodes included in this collection are: 
The Matador 
The Newspaper 
The Hancock Festival 
The Breakfast Cereal 
The New Neighbour 
How Hancock Won the War 
The Red Planet 
The Marriage Bureau 
A Visit to Russia 
The Trial of Father Christmas 
A Holiday in France 
The Crown Jewels 
The Racehorse 
A Visit to Swansea 
The Three Sons 
The Winter Holiday 
Department Store Santa 
The Diamond Ring 
Prime Minister Hancock 
Christmas at Aldershot 
The Counterfeiter 
The Christmas Eve Party 
The New Year Resolutions 
 
 
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson 
Produced by Ed Morrish, Neil Pearson, Paul Sheehan and Hayley Sterling 
Music composed by Wally Stott, and performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Levon Parikian 
Thanks to Tessa Le Bars 
A BBC Studios Production 
 
Originally broadcast on the BBC Light Programme between 1954 and 1959 
Recreated for broadcast by BBC Radio Comedy for BBC Radio 4, 31 October-28 November 2014 (Series 1), 23 November-21 December 2015 (Series 2), 14 March-11 April 2017 (Series 3), 6 December 2018-31 December 2020 (Series 4) 
 
Cast 
Tony Hancock - Kevin McNally 
Bill Kerr - Kevin Eldon 
Sid James - Simon Greenall 
Kenneth Williams - Robin Sebastian 
Andree Melly - Susy Kane 
Moira Lister - Margaret Cabourn-Smith 
Harry Secombe - Andy Secombe 
 
Director's Commentary 
Featuring Andy Hamilton, Kevin McNally and Neil Pearson 
 
'The Test Pilot' sketch 
Performed by Kevin McNally and Tim Sebastian as part of the RAF 100 Gala, first broadcast BBC Radio 2, 6 April 2018 and presented by Ken Bruce

Ray Galton & Alan Simpson

David Mitchell

Frank Skinner

Robert Webb

Rik Mayall

June Whitfield

Tony Hancock

Sid James

Full Cast

Stephen Merchant

Paul Merton

BBC Radio comedy from the writers of Hancock’s Half Hour and Steptoe & Son

A compendium of radio sitcoms and retrospectives celebrating the legendary duo 
 
Ray Galton and Alan Simpson were Britain's best-loved and most successful comedy writing partners. Together, they created two of the greatest sitcoms of all time, Hancock's Half Hour and Steptoe and Son. This compilation brings together some of the finest programmes from their 60-year career, as well as interviews with them both. 
 
Galton &amp; Simpson's Half Hour comprises four comedy dramas: You'll Never Walk Alone (starring Frank Skinner), Impasse (starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb), I Tell You It's Burt Reynolds (starring Rik Mayall and June Whitfield) and The Blood Donor (a remake of the famous Hancock's Half Hour episode starring Paul Merton). Originally written for BBC TV, all are specially adapted for radio by Galton and Simpson and introduced by Paul Merton. 
 
The Galton and Simpson Radio Playhouse features three more adaptations: Naught for Thy Comfort (starring Robert Daws and Nina Wadia), A Clerical Error (starring Keith Barron and June Whitfield) and The Offer, a reworking of the TV script that inspired Steptoe and Son, starring Freddie Jones and John Thomson. 
 
A fourth drama from Radio Playhouse - Clicquot et Fils, starring Richard Griffiths and Roger Lloyd Pack - can be heard in I Did It My Way: Galton and Simpson, in which the pair chat to Peter Reed and select some of their favourite work. Also included is Hancock's Half Hour: The Threatening Letters; 'Up Je T'Aime', Frankie Howerd and June Whitfield's parody of Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg's hit song; the 1963 Royal Variety performance Steptoe and Son at Buckingham Palace; Steptoe and Son: Porn Yesterday and the classic Hancock's Half Hour TV episode, The Radio Ham, recreated before a live audience for an album release in 1961. 
 
Topping off our collection is Very Nearly an Armful: The Galton and Simpson Story. Talking to Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, Stephen Merchant explores how their ground-breaking work brought social realism to British comedy, and helped lay the foundations for modern-day classics like The Office. Contributors include David Mitchell, Ben Elton, Denis Norden and Damaris Hayman, and among the archive interviewees are Tony Hancock, Sid James and Harry H Corbett. 
 
Credits 
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson 
Thanks to Tessa Le Bars 
Collection compiled by Martin Gibbons 
 With thanks to the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society 
 
Contents 
Galton &amp; Simpson's Half Hour: You'll Never Walk Alone 
Galton &amp; Simpson's Half Hour: Impasse 
Galton &amp; Simpson's Half Hour: I Tell You It's Burt Reynolds 
Galton &amp; Simpson's Half Hour: The Blood Donor 
The Galton and Simpson Radio Playhouse: Naught for Thy Comfort 
The Galton and Simpson Radio Playhouse: A Clerical Error 
The Galton and Simpson Radio Playhouse: The Offer 
I Did It My Way: Galton &amp; Simpson 
Very Nearly An Armful: The Galton and Simpson Story 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Ray Galton & Alan Simpson

Books by Ray Galton & Alan Simpson

Series by Ray Galton & Alan Simpson

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