A Vintage BBC Radio 4 Comedy

Play it Cool

The complete series of the fast-moving 1960s sketch show 
 
A leading light of British stage and screen from the 1950s onwards, Ian Carmichael made a career out of playing the amiable, bumbling nincompoop in films such as Private's Progress and I'm All Right Jack, and TV shows including Bachelor Father and The World of Wooster. This dithering persona was expanded and amplified in his first radio comedy, Play It Cool. 
 
Written in 1964 by Beyond Our Ken's Eric Merriman, it sees him joined by Carry On's Joan Sims and radio veteran Hugh Paddick (Beyond Our Ken, Round the Horne) for a series that mixes music and comedy to provide a slice of 1960s cool. 
 
These six episodes feature a plethora of comic characters, and situations ranging from the potty to the pompous. Join our frolicsome trio as they send up big business and women's magazines; expose the behind-the scenes worlds of ballroom dancing and boxing; and turn the pages of history back to the Edwardian era in 'Scrapheap of 1907'. There's also international affairs, revealing tales of Hollywood, and the life of William Shakespeare - plus an insight into what might happen if the Cannes Film Festival came to Britain... 
 
Light-hearted, witty and slyly satirical, this sparkling series showcases all three of our comedy stars' skills, ably assisted by guest stars Gordon Faith and Anthony Sagar. Musical interludes are provided by Rosemary Squires, The Mike Sammes Singers and The Ken Thorne Orchestra. 
 
Production credits 
Written by Eric Merriman 
Starring Ian Carmichael, Joan Sims and Hugh Paddick 
With Gordon Faith and Anthony Sagar 
Produced by John Simmonds 
With music from Rosemary Squires, The Mike Sammes Singers and The Ken Thorne Orchestra 
 
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme, 26 July-30 August 1964 
 
© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Frank Muir

Denis Norden

Barry Took

Eric Merriman

Jimmy Edwards

Dick Bentley

Joy Nichols

June Whitfield

Alma Cogan

Full Cast

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

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

Books by Eric Merriman

Series by Eric Merriman

Take It From Here

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter