Hancock’s Happy Christmas

Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 by Book Guy | No Comments »

Celebrate Christmas at 23 Railway Cuttings, East Cheam with the lad himself. Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock, in these four episodes filled with his own unique brand of seasonal cheer.

Hancock’s Happy Christmas
‘Christmas is going to be just like any other day in this house - dead miserable! Can Sid make Hancock change his mind?

The Christmas Club
After last year’s measly dinner, Hancock decides to be well prepared and save some money with the Christmas club. You just know it’s going to be disastrous!

Bill and Father Christmas
Bill still believes in Father Christmas! Finding out the truth sends him into shock - time for a little regression therapy…

The Diary
Another New Year prompts Hancock to review his giant lock-up diary in which he records all memorable events. But Bill has a different opinion about such entries as ‘This morning I had an egg for breakfast’ and ‘It’s raining’.

Written By
Ray Galton and Alan Simpson

First Broadcast
The Light Programme
2 November 1954

Number of Series
Six:
November 1954 - February 1955
April - July 1955
September 1955 - February 1956
October 1956 - February 1957
January - June 1958
September - December 1959

Last Broadcast
29 December 1959


Publisher: BBC Audiobooks Ltd
Author: Ray Galton and Alan Simpson
Narrator: Full Cast Production
ISBN: 056353513X
Download Price: $18.99 Find out more…

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Hancock - A Comedy Genius

Monday, July 7th, 2008 by Book Guy | No Comments »

Two tributes to one of the greatest comics of our time, presented by Denis Norden and Paul Merton

 

Published to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first broadcast of Hancock’s Half Hour on radio, this is the story of Hancock’s rise to fame, told from recordings, scripts and press cuttings. It is the background against which the famous performances stand out - the story of a great comic actor who could never believe that he really was one of the best.

Presented by Denis Norden , Hancock’s early career, starting as a 17-year-old in a Bristol variety show called A La Carte for the BBC Forces Programme, and charts his rise through shows such as Variety Bandbox and Happy-Go-Lucky (where he first read words by Galton and Simpson ).

The second section features an interview by Paul Merton with Ray Galton and Alan Simpson , the creators of Hancock’s Half Hour . It covers the years from the very first episode, broadcast on the Light Programme in 1954, to Hancock’s last work with Ray and Alan, and the BBC, in 1961. They discuss both Anthony John Hancock the man, difficult, hard-working and extremely talented; and Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock the character, vain, pompous, boastful and self-deluded, but ultimately loveable.

Including over 20 minutes of bonus unbroadcast material, this is the ultimate insight into a true comedy legend.

Publisher: BBC Audiobooks Ltd
Author: Russell Davies
Narrator: Various
ISBN: 1405679344
Download Price: $18.99 Continue…

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