Audiobooks by Barry Took

Take It From Here: The Later Years: 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"

Barry Took, Denis Norden, Eric Merriman, Frank Muir (Author), Alma Cogan, Dick Bentley, Full Cast, Jimmy Edwards, Joy Nichols, June Whitfield (Narrator)

Audiobook

Guess What?: The BBC Radio 4 20 questions game show

"Barry Took presents this revised radio version of the popular parlour game 'Twenty Questions' Hosted by veteran humorist Barry Took, presenter of Points of View and former chair of The News Quiz, this entertaining guessing game sees a panel of intellectually acute guests attempting to determine a mystery object in 20 tries. Their only clue is the category it falls into: animal, vegetable, mineral, abstract, or a combination of all four. For most rounds, the studio audience know the answer and cheer on the contestants with promising guesses - but sometimes, both they and the listeners are kept in the dark, giving them an opportunity to play along too. Pitting their wits against Barry Took are panellists Geoffrey Durham, Jeremy Hanley, Helen Atkinson Wood, Hattie Hayridge, Dick Vosburgh, Neil Innes, Jan Ravens, Nigel Dempster, Frances Edmonds, Chris Serle and Clare Francis, as they play their hunches and attempt to identify everything from a supermodel to a Page 3 girl, the Channel Tunnel to the shipping forecast, and a minicab driver to man's best friend. Using their best deductive reasoning, will they figure it out - or will they get stumped? Production credits Chaired by Barry Took Written and compiled by Michael Dines Voice provided by Peter Donaldson Produced by Andy Aliffe With: Geoffrey Durham, Jeremy Hanley, Helen Atkinson Wood, Hattie Hayridge, Dick Vosburgh, Neil Innes, Jan Ravens, Nigel Dempster, Frances Edmonds, Chris Serle, Clare Francis First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8 April-10 June 1998 © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd."

Barry Took (Author), Barry Took, Geoffrey Durham, Various (Narrator)

Audiobook

Beyond Our Ken: The Collected Series 1-4: The BBC Radio classic comedy series

"All 60 surviving episodes from the first four series of the fabulous forerunner to Round the Horne - plus bonus programme Forty Laughing Years An irresistible mix of of sketches, songs, puns and double entendres, Beyond Our Ken kept the nation laughing over seven series and 123 episodes between 1958 and 1964. With its witty wordplay, zany humour and comic catchphrases, it remains every bit as hilarious and entertaining today. Featuring larger-than-life characters like Rodney and Charles, roving reporter Cecil Snaith and doddery duo Ambrose and Felicity - not to mention avuncular host Kenneth Horne himself - this 'sort of radio show' is full of classic comedy moments. All your favourites are here in these 60 episodes, including spoof documentary series 'Hornerama', with its regular investigations into 'topics of immediate interest' such as showbusiness, shipping, photography, food, the City - and many more. There's also a wealth of surprising, surreal incidents from Kenneth Horne's week, the latest film releases in 'Picture Go Round', and a unique take on Any Questions, with panellists Hankie Flowered, Ricky Livid, Fanny Haddock and Arthur Fallowfield. Musical interludes are provided by a host of top artistes, among them Pat Lancaster, Janet Waters, The Malcolm Mitchell Trio, The Fraser Hayes Four and the BBC Variety Orchestra. Scripted by Eric Merriman and Barry Took, these much-loved shows star Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden and Bill Pertwee. Episode guide First broadcast on BBC Light Programme on the following dates: Series 1 - 1 July-12 November 1958 Series 2 - 26 March-21 December 1959 Series 3 - 5 April-15 July 1960 Series 4 - 20 October 1960-2 March 1961 Bonus programme: Forty Laughing Years, 12 November 1962 The following episodes are missing from the BBC archives and therefore not included in this release: Series 1: Episodes 6, 10-13, 17, 21 and 22 Series 2: Episodes 1, 4, 7, 9, 15, 16 and 19 Series 4: Episode 12 Episodes restored and remastered by Ted Kendall. (p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd © 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Barry Took, Eric Merriman (Author), Betty Marsden, Bill Pertwee, Hugh Paddick, Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook

Round the Horne: A Compendium: A collection of rare material from the classic BBC Radio comedy

"A fascinating and hilarious collection of archive rarities - plus two restored episodes - from the much loved BBC radio comedy series Starring Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden and Bill Pertwee, Round the Horne breathed daring new life over the BBC radio airwaves from 1965 to 1968, a madcap mix of daring double entendres, captivating characters and bawdy badinage. In this exhaustive collection of rare material, two complete episodes - Series 1, Episode 5 and Series 1, Episode 15 - are presented complete and remastered, alongside a cornucopia of previously unpublished segments from the series' original run. In addition there's a host of rarities from the BBC Sound Archive and other sources, including the cast's appearance on Sounds Familiar and Kenneth Horne's autobiographical turn on The Time of My Life, both from 1968. These are followed by A Tribute to Kenneth Horne from 1969, Round and Round the Horne from 1977, and Horne of Plenty from 2004. There's also a selection of rarely heard interviews with cast and writers, two sketches in celebration of Much Binding in the Marsh, and more. Content warning: the humour in this programme reflects the era in which it was broadcast and may not reflect current attitudes. ©2017 BBC Worldwide Ltd. (P)2017 BBC Worldwide Ltd."

Barry Took, Marty Feldman (Author), Full Cast, Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook

Round the Horne: The Complete Julian & Sandy: Sketches from the classic BBC Radio comedy

"Kenneth Williams and Hugh Paddick are the notorious resting thespians in this hilarious collection of sketches from Round the Horne. 'Oh, hello. I'm Julian, and this is my friend Sandy...' Through four series of Round the Horne, Julian and Sandy graced each episode with an encounter with 'that nice Mr Horne'. Each week they'd be up to new tricks, from filmmaking (Bona Prods) to a travel agency ('something exciting in a cheap package') and a 'bijou restaurantette' (La Casserole de Bona Gourmet). In these 48 lally-trembling scenarios, Jools and Sand cater for the intimate at 'omey in Bona Caterers, shake hands with a prospective member in Keep Britain Bona, set themselves up as Bona Tax Consultants and teach the world to talk proper in Bona School of Languages. Plus, they reveal to Mr Horne just what Julian received on his last birthday... This fantabulosa selection of Julian and Sandy sketches is brimming with sparkling repartee, gloriously camp humour and outrageous innuendo. So don't be strange - come on in, rest your lallies and let your riah down with two of the best pros in the business. Content warning: the humour in this programme reflects the era in which it was broadcast and may not reflect current attitudes. ©2016 BBC Worldwide Ltd. (P)2016 BBC Worldwide Ltd."

Barry Took, Marty Feldman (Author), Hugh Paddick, Johnnie Mortimer, Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook

Round the Horne: The Complete Series Four: 17 episodes of the groundbreaking BBC radio comedy

"Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden and Hugh Paddick star in 17 episodes of the anarchic 1960s radio comedy, including the 1967 Christmas special. Round the Horne arrived on BBC radio in 1965, bringing laughter to Sunday lunchtimes throughout the land. Over the course of sixteen weekly episodes it carved a niche in the history of broadcast comedy, a sketch show which prodded the boundaries of propriety and innuendo. At its heart was the suave and upstanding Kenneth Horne, around which revolved the multiple naughty personas of Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden, Hugh Paddick and Bill Pertwee. Among the parade of regular characters were Julian and Sandy, the camp couple of resting thespians happy to turn their hands to anything, Rambling Syd Rumbo the musical cordwangler, Fiona and Charles the passionate duo, and J. Peasemold Gruntfuttock - the world's dirtiest man. Meanwhile regular film parodies, spoof sagas and musical interludes peppered the mix. In addition to the 16 episodes of Series Four, this edition also includes the 1967 Christmas special episode Cinderfella and The Bona History of Julian and Sandy, in which Maureen Lipman takes a vada at Round the Horne's most flamboyant omipalonies. Content warning: the humour in this programme reflects the era in which it was broadcast and may not reflect current attitudes. ©2016 BBC Worldwide Limited (P)2016 BBC Worldwide Limited"

Barry Took (Author), Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook

Round the Horne: The Complete Series Three: 16 episodes of the groundbreaking BBC Radio comedy

"Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden and Hugh Paddick star in 20 episodes of the anarchic 1960s radio comedy. Round the Horne arrived on BBC radio in 1965, bringing laughter to Sunday lunchtimes throughout the land. It carved a niche in the history of broadcast comedy, a sketch show which prodded the boundaries of propriety and innuendo. At its heart was the suave and upstanding Kenneth Horne, around which revolved the multiple naughty personas of Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden, Hugh Paddick and Bill Pertwee. Among the parade of regular characters were Julian and Sandy, the camp couple of resting thespians happy to turn their hands to anything, Rambling Syd Rumbo the musical cordwangler, Fiona and Charles the passionate duo, and J. Peasemold Gruntfuttock the world's dirtiest man. Meanwhile regular film parodies, spoof sagas and musical interludes peppered the mix. Round the Horne earned its place in the annals of comedy history, and is fondly remembered today as a groundbreaking series that influenced many more to come. Content warning: the humour in this programme reflects the era in which it was broadcast and may not reflect current attitudes. ©2015 BBC Worldwide Ltd (P)2015 BBC Worldwide Ltd"

Barry Took, Marty Feldman (Author), Hugh Paddick, Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook

Round the Horne: The Complete Series Two: 15 episodes of the groundbreaking BBC radio comedy

"Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden and Hugh Paddick star in 15 episodes of the anarchic 1960s radio comedy. Round the Horne arrived on BBC radio in 1965, bringing laughter to Sunday lunchtimes throughout the land. Over the course of sixteen weekly episodes it carved a niche in the history of broadcast comedy, a sketch show which prodded the boundaries of propriety and innuendo. At its heart was the suave and upstanding Kenneth Horne, around which revolved the multiple naughty personas of Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden, Hugh Paddick and Bill Pertwee. Among the parade of regular characters were ulian and Sandy, the camp couple of resting thespians happy to turn their hands to anything; Rambling Syd Rumbo, the musical cordwangler; Fiona and Charles, the passionate duo; and J. Peasemold Gruntfuttock, the world's dirtiest man. Meanwhile regular film parodies, spoof sagas and musical interludes peppered the mix. Round the Horne earned its place in the annals of comedy history, and is fondly remembered today as a groundbreaking series that influenced many more to come. Here the entire second series can be enjoyed once again, plus the 1966 Christmas episode, 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' and a special Transcription Services episode 'The Man With The Golden Thunderball'. Content warning: the humour in this programme reflects the era in which it was broadcast and may not reflect current attitudes. ©2015 BBC Worldwide Ltd (P)2015 BBC Worldwide Ltd"

Barry Took, Marty Feldman (Author), Full Cast, Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook

Round the Horne: The Complete Series One: 16 episodes of the groundbreaking BBC Radio comedy

"Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden and Hugh Paddick star in 16 episodes of the anarchic 1960s radio comedy. Round the Horne arrived on BBC radio in 1965, bringing laughter to Sunday lunchtimes throughout the land. Over the course of sixteen weekly episodes it carved a niche in the history of broadcast comedy, a sketch show which prodded the boundaries of propriety and innuendo. At its heart was the suave and upstanding Kenneth Horne, around which revolved the multiple naughty personas of Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden, Hugh Paddick and Bill Pertwee. Among the parade of regular characters were Julian and Sandy, the camp couple of resting thespians happy to turn their hands to anything, Rambling Syd Rumbo the musical cordwangler, Fiona and Charles the passionate duo, and J. Peasemold Gruntfuttock the world's dirtiest man. Meanwhile regular film parodies, spoof sagas and musical interludes peppered the mix. Round the Horne earned its place in the annals of comedy history, and is fondly remembered today as a groundbreaking series that influenced many more to come. Here the entire first series can be enjoyed once again. Content warning: the humour in this programme reflects the era in which it was broadcast and may not reflect current attitudes. ©2014 BBC Worldwide Ltd (P)2014 BBC Worldwide Ltd"

Barry Took, Marty Feldman (Author), Betty Marsden, Bill Pertwee, Douglas Smith, Hugh Paddick, Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Bona World Of Julian & Sandy

Barry Took (Author), Hugh Paddick, Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook

Rambling Syd Rumpo

Barry Took (Author), Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

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Round the Horne: Movie Spoofs: Classics from the BBC Radio comedy

"As one of the most consistently funny radio series of the 1960s, Round The Horne was always a favourite among listeners to the BBC Light Programme's comedy hour on Sundays. With its colourfully bizarre collection of characters and memorable catchphrases, its brilliantly inventive and sometimes outrageous scripts, Round The Horne was a unique chapter in the history of radio comedy. Listen to Round the Horne's homage to the cinema. Starring Kenneth Horne and a galaxy of Hornographic celebrities impersonated by Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, and Betty Marsden. You'll listen many, many times to these all-time screen classics: Around the World in Ten Minutes, Apache Story, Knights Of Camelot, Journey to Uranus, and many more. Content warning: the humour in this programme reflects the era in which it was broadcast and may not reflect current attitudes. ©1995, 2001 BBC Worldwide Ltd (P)1995, 2001 BBC Worldwide Ltd"

Barry Took, Marty Feldman (Author), Betty Marsden, Full Cast, Hugh Paddick, Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook