Take It From Here
#1 - Take It From Here: The Early Years
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
#2 - Take It From Here: The Later Years
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