40 Episodes from Series 9-13 of the Classic BBC Radio Comedy

Take It From Here: The Later Years

More timeless comedy from the long-running variety show 
 
Take It from Here was one of the most popular radio shows of its day, running for 12 years on the BBC Light Programme between 1948 and 1960. With its literate, pun-filled scripts written by comedy legends Denis Norden and Frank Muir, it was a huge hit with listeners, and over 20 million regularly tuned in to enjoy the madcap adventures of the TIFH team. 
 
These 40 specially chosen shows feature Madam Butterfly as you’ve never heard it before, a West End musical spoof, the fall and rise of Punch and Judy – and quickfire quizzing with ‘Double Your Nothing’. Meanwhile in ‘The Glums’, the marathon engagement of the drippy Ron and the doting Eth rumbles on, and down at his local, Mr Glum regales barman Ted with tales of woe and hard-luck stories. 
 
Also included are three Christmas episodes from 1955, 1958 and 1959; the 250th show (Series 10, Episode 1); the 10th anniversary episode (Series 11, Episode 12) and the last ever episode (Series 13, Episode 20) – as well as a piece of comedy history: the original version of a sketch made famous by Peter Sellers, 'So Little Time' (Series 12, Episode 15). 
 
Jimmy Edwards, June Whitfield, Dick Bentley and Wallas Eaton star in this sparkling selection of shows, with musical accompaniments from Alma Cogan, The Keynotes, Toni Eden and The Polka Dots. 
 
NB: Some of the language and humour on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast, and due to the age of the source material, the sound quality may vary. 
 
 
Production credits 
Starring Jimmy Edwards, Dick Bentley, June Whitfield and Wallas Eaton 
With contributions from ‘Herbert Mostyn’ (aka Frank Muir and Denis Norden) 
Written by Frank Muir and Denis Norden (Series 9-12) and Barry Took and Eric Merriman (Series 13) 
Produced by Charles Maxwell (Series 9-12) and Charles Chilton (Series 13) 
Music from The Keynotes and the Augmented BBC Revue Orchestra, Alma Cogan (Series 9), Toni Eden (Series 13) and The Polka Dots (Series 13) 
With thanks to Keith Wickham 
 
Episode guide 
 
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme on the following dates: 
 
Series 9 (11 October 1955-3 April 1956) 
Episode 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5, 6 ,7, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 ,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24 
Series 10 (2 January-15 May 1957) 
Episode 1, 2 January 1957 
Episode 7, 13 February 1957 
Episode 8, 20 February 1957 
Episode 17, 24 April 1957 
Episode 20, 15 May 1957 
 
Series 11 (8 January-21 May 1958) 
Episode 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20 
Series 12 (27 November 1958-12 March 1959) 
Episode 2, 5, 13, 14, 15 
 
Series 13 (22 October 1959-3 March 1960) 
Episode 10 & 20 
 
© 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Selected Episodes from the Classic BBC Radio Comedy

Whack-O!

Jimmy Edwards stars as the irascible Headmaster in this vintage BBC Radio comedy series set in a boys’ public school 
 
Starting life on BBC TV, Whack-O! transferred to radio in 1961 and ran for three series on the Light Programme until 1963. Not all of the radio episodes survive, but many from Series 1 and the entirety of Series 2 were recovered by a BBC archivist from a listener’s tapes in 2012, and have since been broadcast on Radio 4 Extra. 
 
Collected here are those rediscovered episodes, featuring scholastic scheming and academic anarchy at Chiselbury School. An old-established seat of learning for the ‘sons of gentlefolk’, Chiselbury is presided over by whack-happy Headmaster Professor James Edwards, who runs rings around his fellow masters and never misses a trick when it comes to exploiting the pupils and their parents. 
 
In this catalogue of comic mishaps, the Professor attempts to close down a rival school; hatches a plan to win a cash prize in a popularity contest; goes up before the magistrate accused of excessive use of the cane and endeavours to impress a visiting dignitary from Moscow. And his guile is put to the test when he makes a reckless wager; comes up with a catchy publicity gimmick to attract more pupils and faces a staffing crisis when a teacher has the temerity to leave... 
 
Co-starring June Whitfield as Matron and Roddy Maude-Roxby as Aubrey Potter, this farcical, fun-filled sitcom also features special guest appearances from Eamonn Andrews and Vera Lynn. 
 
NB: Due to the age and nature of these recordings, the sound quality may vary. 
 
Some episodes contain dated attitudes and language 
 
 
Written by Frank Muir and Denis Norden 
Adapted for radio by David Climie 
Produced by Edward Taylor 
 
Cast 
The Headmaster – Jimmy Edwards 
Mr Pettigrew – Arthur Howard 
Matron/Mildred/Lady Westbury/Edwina – June Whitfield 
Mr Fowler/Mr Harboard – Laidman Browne 
School Inspector – David Bird 
Lumley – Roger Shepherd 
Aubrey Potter – Roddy Maude-Roxby 
The French Mistress – Tonia Bern 
Mr Dinwiddie/Soames/Alfred Tennyson – Frederick Treves 
Eamonn O’Reilly – Michael Turner/Roy Dotrice/Wallas Eaton 
Taplow – David Lott 
The Marchioness/Lady Uppingham – Joan Sanderson 
Dr Sopwith/Magistrate/Bulenkov/Major Prosser/Len Rumbold/Samuel Tozer – Roy Dotrice 
Sir Charles – Norman Shelley 
Antony Dorchester – Harold Berens 
Ginger Perkins – Sam Kydd 
Miss Fanshawe/Mrs Mortlake – Joan Young 
Mr Lumley – Phillip Morant 
Figgins – Graham Aza 
Mr Arkwright/Vicar – John Cazabon 
Marvin – Malcolm Ranson 
Brigadier Lumley – Austin Trevor 
Bailey – Harry Locke 
Inspector Matthews – Fred Yule 
Mr Barlow/Forth Robinson/Rev Barnwell Munro – John Graham 
Arnold Halliforth – Edwin Apps 
Yvette – Prunella Scales 
Mr Wiltshire – David Graham 
Terry – John Pike 
Phipps – John Coxall 
Music master – Edwin Braden 
Mrs Baker – Patricia Hayes 
Mr Morgan/Biggs – Julian Somers 
Rawlinson – Philip Leavermore 
With Brian Thomas, John Mitchell, Heather Bennett, Jennie Lathan, Angela Shade, Michael Hammond, Richard McCarthy, Eamonn Andrews, Stuart Anderson, Kenneth Gouge, Vera Lynn, Harry Lewis, Sheila Grant, Diana Olsson, Elizabeth Morgan, Amos the Owl 
 
© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

A BBC Radio Comedy

Brothers in Law: The Complete Series 1-3

Richard Briers stars as Roger Thursby, a young barrister in his first year in chambers

All three BBC Radio series of the classic legal comedy starring Richard Briers 
 
Inspired by Henry Cecil's 1955 comic novel of the same name, Brothers in Law first appeared on BBC One in 1962, providing Richard Briers with his first starring role on television as idealistic young barrister Roger Thursby. Adapted by Richard Waring from TV scripts by Frank Muir and Denis Norden, it took to the airwaves in 1970, running for three years until 1972. 
 
As the series opens, the rookie lawyer is in his first year at chambers, and struggling to learn the ropes. He just wants to win a case - any case - but in these 39 episodes, he finds himself unwittingly aiding a habitual fraudster, confronting a fearsome judge, and annoying his girlfriend by defending a wife-beater. Whether he's getting into a jam parking his car, having a spot of bother with toggles and grommets, or facing double trouble in a bigamy case, the bungling barrister all too frequently finds himself courting disaster... 
 
Newly restored and collected together for the first time, these three radio series are the only way to enjoy Roger Thursby's hilarious misadventures, as only one episode of the TV series remains in the BBC archive. With guest stars including John Le Mesurier, Jon Pertwee, Roy Kinnear, David Jason, Barbara Windsor and Joan Sims, this sparkling series is a must for all fans of vintage comedy. 
 
Production credits 
Series 1 adapted from the TV scripts by Richard Waring. Scripts by Frank Muir and Denis Norden 
Series 2 and 3 written by Henry Cecil and Basil Dawson 
Produced by David Hatch (Series 1, Series 2 Episodes 1-10 and 13), Simon Brett (Series 2 Episodes 11 and 12) and Trafford Whitelock (Series 3) 
 
Cast 
Roger Thursby - Richard Briers 
Henry Blagrove - Richard Waring (Series 1)/Terence Alexander (Series 2) 
Sally Mannering - Ann Davies (Series 1)/Julia Lockwood (Series 2) 
Grimes - John Glyn-Jones 
Joy - Bridget Armstrong 
With Kenneth Connor, John Le Mesurier, Malcolm Hayes, Frederick Treves, John Bresslin, Robert Dorning, Richard Caldicot, Clifford Norgate, Jean Anderson, Ann Way, Aimi MacDonald, Richard Watts, John Junkin, Thorley Walters, Denise Coffey, Patricia Gallimore, Alan Barry, John Gabriel, Frances Bennett, Betty Cooper, Patrick Cargill, James Beck, Basil Dignam, Blake Butler, Liz Fraser, Frank Thornton, Peter Jones, Sam Kydd, Jo Kendall, Patsy Rowlands, Robert Dorning, Deryck Guyler, Nicholas Phipps, Sonia Fraser, John Bryning, Leslie Heritage, Jon Pertwee, Dennis Ramsden, James Hayter, Geoffrey Sumner, Ronald Forfar, Carol Marsh, Gerald Cross, Fenella Fielding, Terence Alexander, John Baker, Hector Ross, Andrew Cruickshank, Roy Kinnear, Ronald Adam, Arthur Mullard, Sean Arnold, Douglas Blackwell, Patrick Tull, Michael Kilgarriff, William Fox, David Jason, Bill Wallis, Nigel Pegram, Garard Green, Peter Tuddenham, Brian Oulton, John Barron, John Ruddock, Barbara Windsor, John Bluthal, Norman Bird, Francis de Wolff, Manning Wilson, Martin Friend, Alec Bregonzi, Olwen Griffiths, Nigel Anthony, Felix Felton, Simon Merrick, Joan Sims, Alan Curtis, Edward Kelsey, John Samson, John Rowe, Paul Whitsun-Jones, John Rutland, Noel Howlett, Harold Berens, Alexandra Dane, Eva Stuart, Michael Hordern, Amanda Reiss, Alfie Bass, Henry McGee, Robin Hunter, Arthur Mullard and Eva Haddon 
 
Episode guide: 
 
Series 1 (9 June-1 Sept 1970) 
1 The First Brief 
2 The Expert Witness 
3 Breach of Contract 
4 Judgement Summons 
5 Counsel's Opinion 
6 Special Damages 
7 Separation Order 
8 Reasonable Doubt 
9 With Use of Bath 
10 Without Due Care 
11 Solicitor's Instructions 
12 Special Examiner 
13 Counsel for the Prosecution 
 
Series 2 (15 July-7 Oct 1971) 
14 Look It Up 
15 Tell 'Em the Tale 
16 Statistics 
17 In and Out 
18 Polite Notice 
19 Circling the Square 
20 In Reverse 
21 But... 
22 Disqualified 
23 One Thousand Four Hundred and Seventy One 
24 A Jewel of a Husband 
25 Keeping it Warm 
26 Brief Offer 
 
Series 3 (24 Apr-17 July 1972) 
27 Deaf Aid 
28 One Double or Two Singles 
29 Menaces 
30 Obstruction 
31 Assault 
32 Manipulation 
33 And So On 
34 Good Husband and Father 
35 Faults on Both Sides 
36 What Do You Do? 
37 Crabtree Disease 
38 A Piece of Cake 
39 Alibi 
 
©2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

All three BBC Radio series of the classic legal comedy starring Richard Briers 
 
Inspired by Henry Cecil's 1955 comic novel of the same name, Brothers in Law first appeared on BBC One in 1962, providing Richard Briers with his first starring role on television as idealistic young barrister Roger Thursby. Adapted by Richard Waring from TV scripts by Frank Muir and Denis Norden, it took to the airwaves in 1970, running for three years until 1972. 
 
As the series opens, the rookie lawyer is in his first year at chambers, and struggling to learn the ropes. He just wants to win a case - any case - but in these 39 episodes, he finds himself unwittingly aiding a habitual fraudster, confronting a fearsome judge, and annoying his girlfriend by defending a wife-beater. Whether he's getting into a jam parking his car, having a spot of bother with toggles and grommets, or facing double trouble in a bigamy case, the bungling barrister all too frequently finds himself courting disaster... 
 
Newly restored and collected together for the first time, these three radio series are the only way to enjoy Roger Thursby's hilarious misadventures, as only one episode of the TV series remains in the BBC archive. With guest stars including John Le Mesurier, Jon Pertwee, Roy Kinnear, David Jason, Barbara Windsor and Joan Sims, this sparkling series is a must for all fans of vintage comedy. 
 
Production credits 
Series 1 adapted from the TV scripts by Richard Waring. Scripts by Frank Muir and Denis Norden 
Series 2 and 3 written by Henry Cecil and Basil Dawson 
Produced by David Hatch (Series 1, Series 2 Episodes 1-10 and 13), Simon Brett (Series 2 Episodes 11 and 12) and Trafford Whitelock (Series 3) 
 
Cast 
Roger Thursby - Richard Briers 
Henry Blagrove - Richard Waring (Series 1)/Terence Alexander (Series 2) 
Sally Mannering - Ann Davies (Series 1)/Julia Lockwood (Series 2) 
Grimes - John Glyn-Jones 
Joy - Bridget Armstrong 
With Kenneth Connor, John Le Mesurier, Malcolm Hayes, Frederick Treves, John Bresslin, Robert Dorning, Richard Caldicot, Clifford Norgate, Jean Anderson, Ann Way, Aimi MacDonald, Richard Watts, John Junkin, Thorley Walters, Denise Coffey, Patricia Gallimore, Alan Barry, John Gabriel, Frances Bennett, Betty Cooper, Patrick Cargill, James Beck, Basil Dignam, Blake Butler, Liz Fraser, Frank Thornton, Peter Jones, Sam Kydd, Jo Kendall, Patsy Rowlands, Robert Dorning, Deryck Guyler, Nicholas Phipps, Sonia Fraser, John Bryning, Leslie Heritage, Jon Pertwee, Dennis Ramsden, James Hayter, Geoffrey Sumner, Ronald Forfar, Carol Marsh, Gerald Cross, Fenella Fielding, Terence Alexander, John Baker, Hector Ross, Andrew Cruickshank, Roy Kinnear, Ronald Adam, Arthur Mullard, Sean Arnold, Douglas Blackwell, Patrick Tull, Michael Kilgarriff, William Fox, David Jason, Bill Wallis, Nigel Pegram, Garard Green, Peter Tuddenham, Brian Oulton, John Barron, John Ruddock, Barbara Windsor, John Bluthal, Norman Bird, Francis de Wolff, Manning Wilson, Martin Friend, Alec Bregonzi, Olwen Griffiths, Nigel Anthony, Felix Felton, Simon Merrick, Joan Sims, Alan Curtis, Edward Kelsey, John Samson, John Rowe, Paul Whitsun-Jones, John Rutland, Noel Howlett, Harold Berens, Alexandra Dane, Eva Stuart, Michael Hordern, Amanda Reiss, Alfie Bass, Henry McGee, Robin Hunter, Arthur Mullard and Eva Haddon 
 
Episode guide: 
 
Series 1 (9 June-1 Sept 1970) 
1 The First Brief 
2 The Expert Witness 
3 Breach of Contract 
4 Judgement Summons 
5 Counsel's Opinion 
6 Special Damages 
7 Separation Order 
8 Reasonable Doubt 
9 With Use of Bath 
10 Without Due Care 
11 Solicitor's Instructions 
12 Special Examiner 
13 Counsel for the Prosecution 
 
Series 2 (15 July-7 Oct 1971) 
14 Look It Up 
15 Tell 'Em the Tale 
16 Statistics 
17 In and Out 
18 Polite Notice 
19 Circling the Square 
20 In Reverse 
21 But... 
22 Disqualified 
23 One Thousand Four Hundred and Seventy One 
24 A Jewel of a Husband 
25 Keeping it Warm 
26 Brief Offer 
 
Series 3 (24 Apr-17 July 1972) 
27 Deaf Aid 
28 One Double or Two Singles 
29 Menaces 
30 Obstruction 
31 Assault 
32 Manipulation 
33 And So On 
34 Good Husband and Father 
35 Faults on Both Sides 
36 What Do You Do? 
37 Crabtree Disease 
38 A Piece of Cake 
39 Alibi 
 
©2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Frank Muir

Denis Norden

Jimmy Edwards

Dick Bentley

June Whitfield

Full Cast

Alma Cogan

Joy Nichols

43 Episodes from Series 1-8 of the Classic BBC Radio Comedy

Vintage shenanigans from the much-loved variety show 
 
Take It from Here was one of the most influential radio shows of all time, ushering in a new era of comedy and introducing an enduring writing partnership: bright young things Frank Muir and Denis Norden. Their witty, literate scripts ensured 13 series of classic capers between 1948 and 1960, and regularly attracted an audience of over 20 million. 
 
Who could forget the barrage of puns, the Take It from Here ‘Oscar’-winning film parodies, Jimmy Edwards’ catchphrases (‘Greetings, gentlefolk!’) – and, of course, the fractious, dysfunctional Glum family, making their debut here in the first episode of Series 7. We also hear the various grumbles and complaints of Wallas Eaton’s curmudgeonly letter-writer, ‘Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells’. 
 
Included in this volume are 43 specially selected episodes from the first eight series, including shows recorded at the Royal Naval Barracks in Portsmouth (Series 2, Episode 13) and HMS Indefatigable at Spithead (Series 6, Episode 24), as well as two Christmas editions of the show from 1953 and 1954. 
 
Packed with all your favourite songs, sketches and send-ups, this bumper collection stars Jimmy Edwards, Dick Bentley, Joy Nichols, Wallas Eaton and June Whitfield, with appearances from Clarence Wright and Wilfred Babbage in Series 1. Accompanying them for some musical interludes are Alma Cogan and The Keynotes. 
 
NB: Some of the language and humour on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast, and due to the age of the source material, the sound quality may vary. 
 
 
Production credits 
Starring Jimmy Edwards, Dick Bentley, Wallas Eaton (Series 2 onwards), Joy Nicholls (Series 1-6), June Whitfield (Series 7 onwards), Wilfred Babbage (Series 1), Clarence Wright (Series 1) 
With contributions from ‘Herbert Mostyn’ (aka Frank Muir and Denis Norden) 
Written by Frank Muir and Denis Norden 
Produced by Charles Maxwell 
Music from The Keynotes and the Augmented BBC Revue Orchestra, and Alma Cogan (Series 7 & 8) 
With thanks to Keith Wickham 
 
Episode guide 
 
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme on the following dates: 
 
Series 1 (23 March-5 October 1948) 
Episode 21 & 23 
 
Series 2 (28 December 1948-28 June 1949) 
Episode 3 & 13 
 
Series 4 (24 October 1950-20 May 1951) 
Episode 1 & 2 
 
Series 6 (5 January-29 June 1953) 
Episode 24 
 
Series 7 (12 November 1953-6 May 1954) 
Episode 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24 
 
Series 8 (9 December 1954-2 June 1955) 
Episode 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 
 
© 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Denis Norden

Books by Denis Norden

Series by Denis Norden

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