Audiobooks narrated by Alan Simpson

Hancock's Half Hour Collectibles: Volume 2

A fascinating collection of rare and remastered radio & TV material starring Tony HancockThis second treasury of rare archive material is spearheaded by four newly-restored radio episodes of Hancock’s Half Hour, all from 1956: ‘The New Secretary’, ‘Anna and the King of Siam’, ‘The Stolen Petrol’ and ‘The Expresso Bar’. Starring alongside Tony Hancock are Sid James, Bill Kerr, Hattie Jacques and Kenneth Williams.A number of fascinating extracts from the long-running 1950s variety show Calling All Forces feature Hancock performing alongside Charlie Chester and others, whilst the famous Budgerigar Sketch - with Hancock as the eponymous bird - is featured here from 1958’s Christmas Night With the Stars on BBC TV.In What Happened to Hancock? from 1971, Philip Oakes reflects upon the complex personality of his friend, and elicits personal recollections from those who knew him, including Ralph Reader, Beryl Vertue, Sylvia Sims, Sid James, Duncan Wood, Michael Wale, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. Heroes for a Time, from 1978, considers Hancock’s legacy ten years after his death, with contributions from Lyn Took, Barry Took, Arthur Askey and Billy Marsh. Freddie Ross Hancock recollects life as Tony’s second wife in a Woman’s Hour interview from 1979.Barry Cryer introduces Six Characters in Search of an Answer: Tony Hancock from 2003 and examines the man behind the character, with the help of Galton & Simpson, Dennis Main Wilson and Richard Briers. Finally, in two editions of The Essay from 2015, Simon Heffer examines and compares the careers of both Tony Hancock and his stalwart co-star Sid James. Marking the legacy of one of our greatest comedy entertainers, this collection is a must for fans of Tony Hancock and Hancock's Half Hour.

Alan Simpson, Ray Galton, Roy Galton (Author), , Alan Simpson, Full Cast, Sid James, Tony Hancock (Narrator)

Audiobook

Hancock's Half Hour Collectibles: Volume 1: Rarities from the BBC radio archive

A fascinating collection of rare and remastered radio & TV material starring Tony HancockTony Hancock’s broadcasting career began in the early 1950s with appearances in BBC radio programmes such as Variety Bandbox and Calling All Forces. Rare archive extracts of both are presented in this collection, along with an edition of Educating Archie, the radio comedy in which Hancock was a regular guest star. Soon he had his own radio series, Hancock’s Half Hour, which transferred to BBC television in 1956. This volume features four complete episodes: the recently discovered TV soundtrack of 'The Horror Serial', plus remastered and restored versions of 'The Blackboard Jungle', 'The Student Prince' and 'The Test Match’ from the radio series. Also rarely heard since first broadcast are soundtrack interviews with Tony Hancock - including the notorious edition of Face to Face from 1960 - and interviews with writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. A bonus PDF booklet looks at each item in the context of Hancock’s broadcasting career, with insights into how many of these lost or rare items were discovered.Marking the legacy of one our greatest comedy entertainers, this collection is a must for fans of Tony Hancock and Hancock's Half Hour.

Alan Simpson, Ray Galton (Author), , Alan Simpson, Ray Galton, Sid James, Tony Hancock (Narrator)

Audiobook

Steptoe & Son: Series 3 & 4: 16 episodes of the classic BBC radio sitcom

The complete third and fourth series of the classic radio sitcom starring Harry H Corbett and Wilfrid Brambell, adapted from the much-loved TV series. Steptoe and Son ran for eight series on BBC TV and even spawned two feature films. Such was the series’ popularity in the mid-1960s that the cast specially recorded numerous episodes for BBC radio. Here, collected together for the first time, are all the episodes from the third and fourth radio series, scripted and adapted for radio by Hancock’s Half Hour creators Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. In these hilarious episodes, Harold breaks some sad news to Albert; introduces his fiancée to his father; meets his older half-brother and receives some unexpected news from a visitor. Plus, a group of card sharks fleece Albert; Harold and Albert argue over their lack of money; Harold’s wedding day doesn’t go quite to plan and Albert is worried about an offer made to Harold. The episodes included are A Death in the Family, Two’s Company, Tea for Two, TB or not TB, Without Prejudice, Cuckoo in the Nest, Steptoe and Son – and Son!, Robbery with Violence, Full House, Is That Your Horse Outside?, The Lodger, A Box in Town, The Three Feathers, The Colour Problem, And Afterwards At… and Any Old Iron. Also included is a selection of trailers prepared for overseas radio broadcast.

Alan Simpson, Ray Galton (Author), , Alan Simpson, Full Cast, Harry H. Corbett, Ray Galton, Wilfrid Brambell (Narrator)

Audiobook

Hancock's Half Hour: Series 6: 19 episodes of the classic BBC Radio comedy series

The complete final series of the groundbreaking BBC Radio comedy starring Tony Hancock – plus five bonus episodes. Created by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson in 1954, Hancock’s Half Hour was the radio vehicle that made Tony Hancock a household name. Each week listeners would be admitted to the sometimes fantastical, sometimes mundane life of 'the lad ‘imself'. Aided and abetted by Sid James, Bill Kerr Kenneth Williams and Hattie Jacques, Hancock would enter into the spirit of each episode with characteristic dolefulness. This volume contains all 14 shows from the sixth radio series, collected together for the first time, including previously unpublished restored versions of The Waxwork, The Fête and The Poetry Society. Also included is the 1958 Christmas Special episode and four re-recordings made for the BBC Transcription Service. Among these hilarious Half Hours, Hancock enters an eating competition; sets out to save a local landmark; becomes the director of Sid's guided tours company and enjoys an evening of abstract verse with his avant-garde friends. The episodes are: Bill and Father Christmas (1958 Christmas Special); The 13th of the Month (Transcription Services Episode One); The New Secretary (Transcription Services Episode Two); The Ballet Visit (Transcription Services Episode Three); The Election Candidate (Transcription Services Episode Four); The Smugglers; The Childhood Sweetheart; The Last Bus Home; The Picnic; The Gourmet; The Elopement; Fred's Pie Stall; The Waxwork; Sid's Mystery Tours; The Fête; The Poetry Society; Hancock in Hospital; The Christmas Club and The Impersonator. Duration: 9 hours 30 mins approx.

Alan Simpson, Ray Galton (Author), , Alan Simpson, Full Cast, Ray Galton, Sid James, Tony Hancock (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Missing Hancocks Series 2: Five new recordings of classic 'lost' scripts

Kevin McNally stars in five further brand new recordings of original Hancock's Half Hour scripts by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. Hancock's Half Hour was an enormously popular radio sitcom in the 1950s, but several of the episodes were not retained in the BBC Sound Archive and are believed to be lost. Following the successful first series, five more episodes have been recreated by BBC Radio 4, with Kevin McNally once more reprising the role made famous by Tony Hancock.The episodes are How Hancock Won the War, The Red Planet, The Marriage Bureau, A Visit to Russia and The Trial of Father Christmas. Also included is a bonus Director's Commentary for the Series 1 episode The Matador, in which Andy Hamilton talks to Kevin McNally and co-producer Neil Pearson about the challenges, and joys, of recreating a 1950s sitcom. Among the supporting cast are Simon Greenall, Kevin Eldon and Robin Sebastian. Duration: 2 hours 30 mins approx.

Alan Simpson, Ray Galton (Author), Alan Simpson, Ray Galton (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Missing Hancocks: Five new recordings of classic 'lost' scripts

Kevin McNally stars in five brand new recordings of original Hancock's Half Hour scripts by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. Whilst Hancock's Half Hour was an enormously popular radio sitcom in the 1950s, many of the episodes were not retained in the BBC Sound Archive and are believed to be lost. Now, five of them have been recreated by BBC Radio 4, with Kevin McNally taking the role made famous by Tony Hancock. Among the supporting cast are Simon Grenall, Kevin Eldon and Robin Sebastian.

Alan Simpson, Ray Galton (Author), , Alan Simpson, Kevin Mcnally, Ray Galton (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Alan Simpson