Audiobooks narrated by Joan Sims

Play it Cool: A Vintage BBC Radio 4 Comedy

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

Eric Merriman (Author), Hugh Paddick, Ian Carmichael, Joan Sims (Narrator)

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Beachcomber …..By the Way: A BBC Radio 4 Comedy

All 18 episodes of the BBC radio series based on J. B. Morton's surreally comic 'Beachcomber' column 'As schoolboys, my brother and I worshipped Beachcomber... and that led to the birth of The Goon Show' Spike Milligan J.B. Morton took over the 'By The Way' column in the Daily Express in 1924 - succeeding his friend D.B. Wyndham-Lewis as Beachcomber - and continued writing it for over 50 years. Anarchic, absurdist and profoundly influential, it had a huge cult following, and paved the way for a great deal of modern humour. These three series bring Beachcomber's irreverent jottings to hilarious life, with Richard Ingrams as the eponymous author: 'Greetings, my public', interruptions from John Wells as Prodnose: 'What is all this?', 'Begone, you oaf!' (door slams after Prodnose), and Patricia Routledge, John Sessions and Joan Sims as the notorious Twelve Red-Bearded Dwarves, among others. Also participating in the nonsense are silken-voiced announcer Brian Perkins and guest stars June Whitfield, Brian Bowles, Simon Greenall and Henrietta Gooden. Featuring Morton's familiar colourful characters, in all their larger-than life glory - including Dr Strabismus (whom God preserve) of Utrecht, Colonel Wretch, Mr Justice Cocklecarrot, Captain Foulenough, Lady Cabstanleigh, Lord Shortcake, Dingipoos, Carstairs and Big White - these 18 rib-tickling adventures perfectly recreate his wonderful, whimsical world. Production credits Adapted by Michael Barfield with Richard Ingrams Starring Richard Ingrams, John Wells, John Sessions, Patricia Routledge and Joan Sims With June Whitfield, Brian Bowles, Simon Greenall and Henrietta Gooden Announcer: Brian Perkins Producer: Harry Thompson First broadcast on BBC Radio 4: 18 March-22 April 1989 (Series 1), 13 July-17 August 1991 (Series 2), 9 November-14 December 1994 (Series 3) © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

J.B. Morton (Author), Full Cast, Joan Sims, John L. Sessions, John Wells, June Whitfield, Patricia Routledge, Richard Ingrams (Narrator)

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J. Sheridan Le Fanu: A BBC Radio Full-Cast Gothic Horror Collection: Carmilla, Uncle Silas, Shalker

Dramatisations and readings of Sheridan Le Fanu's best-known Gothic masterpieces One of the leading ghost story writers of the Victorian era, Sheridan Le Fanu is renowned for his chilling tales of mystery and horror. His pioneering lesbian vampire novella Carmilla was a major influence on Bram Stoker's Dracula, and spawned numerous film adaptations including Hammer Horror's Karnstein Trilogy. Opening this anthology is a dramatisation of that classic tale, starring Anne-Marie Duff as Laura, the lonely girl living in a solitary Austrian castle, who strikes up a dangerous friendship with the mysterious, bewitching Carmilla. It is followed by Ian MacDiarmid's reading of 'Schalken the Painter', the eerie story of a 17th Century Flemish artist in love with his master's daughter. Le Fanu's suspenseful Gothic thriller, Uncle Silas, about a young heiress placed under the guardianship of her father's disgraced brother, is dramatised with a full cast including Teresa Gallagher, George Cole, Joan Sims and Dorothy Tutin. Also featured is The Le Fanu Ballads, a supernatural portmanteau drama bridging Le Fanu's era and our world today. Based on the short stories 'The Watcher', 'Madam Crowl's Ghost', 'Schalken the Painter' and 'Mr Justice Harbottle', and set in a basement nightclub in Dublin, it stars Paul Chahidi, Haydn Gwynne and Jonathan Forbes. One unabridged readings conclude our collection. In 'The Ghost and the Bonesetter', read by Sean Barrett, a terrified house-sitter receives an unusual request from the tyrannical spirit of a local squire. Cast and credits Written by Sheridan Le Fanu First published 1838 ('The Ghost and the Bonesetter'), 1839 ('Schalken the Painter'), 1847 ('The Watcher'), 1864 (Uncle Silas), 1871 ('Madam Crowl's Ghost'), 1872 (Carmilla, 'Mr Justice Harbottle') Carmilla Cast: Anne-Marie Duff, Brana Bajic, David Warner, Celia Imrie, Jacqueline Pearce, Nigel Anthony, Roger May, Kenneth Cranham Dramatised by Don McCamphill. Produced by Lawrence Jackson First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 5 June 2003 Schalken the Painter Read by Ian McDiarmid. Produced by Lawrence Jackson First broadcast BBC Radio 7, 29-30 May 2006 Uncle Silas Cast: Teresa Gallagher, Graham Crowden, Dorothy Tutin, Joan Sims, Kathleen Byron, Tessa Worsley, John Hartley, Jonathan Keeble, Roger May, Geoffrey Whitehead, Stephen Critchlow, George Cole, Jane Whittenshaw, George A Cooper, Becky Hindley, Pauline Letts, David Collings, John Evitts, Linda Regan, Joan Littlewood Dramatised by Alan Drury. Directed by Enyd Williams First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8-22 October 1995 The Le Fanu Ballads Cast: Paul Chahidi, Haydn Gwynne, Jonathan Forbes, Ruth Everett, Matthew Durkan, Alexandra Hannant, Rebecca Crankshaw, Chris Jack, Michael Begley, Neil McCaul. Sheridan Le Fanu's ghost stories adapted by Neil Brand Directed by Tracey Neale. Music composed and played by Neil Brand, with 'Nuala's Ballad' sung by Ruth Everett First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 17 April 2022 The Ghost and the Bonesetter Read by Sean Barrett. Produced by Gemma Jenkins First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 September 2001 © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Sheridan Le Fanu (Author), Anne-Marie Duff, Celia Imrie, David Warner, Full Cast, Hadyn Gwynne, Joan Sims, Paul Chahidi, Roger May, Teresa Gallagher (Narrator)

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Josephine Tey: The Daughter of Time & other mysteries: A BBC Radio crime collection

Dramatisations and readings of five of Josephine Tey's classic mystery novels Scottish novelist and playwright Josephine Tey was one of the greatest Golden Age crime writers and the author of eight mysteries, including six featuring Scotland Yard inspector Alan Grant. The most famous of these, The Daughter of Time, was acclaimed the greatest crime novel of all time by the Crime Writers' Association. A full-cast dramatisation of this iconic story is included here, along with adaptations of four of her other much-loved mystery novels. A Shilling for Candles An independent-minded chief constable's daughter meets a suspected killer in this re-imagining of Josephine Tey's 1936 comedy thriller featuring Inspector Grant, starring Giles Fagan and Tilly Gaunt. Miss Pym Disposes Invited by her friend Henrietta to lecture at a physical education colllege, expert psychologist Miss Lucy Pym little suspects that among the healthy young women is someone with a mind sick enough to commit murder... Julia Foster stars as Miss Pym, with Joan Sims as Henrietta. The Franchise Affair A 15-year-old schoolgirl accuses Marion Sharpe and her mother of kidnapping and beating her. Can solicitor Robert Blair prove the women's innocence? An abridged reading by Edward Petherbridge. The Daughter of Time In hospital with a broken leg, Inspector Grant is bored. To pass the time, he decides to try and solve one of history's most famous puzzles: did Richard II really kill the Princes in the Tower? Peter Gilmore stars as Alan Grant. The Singing Sands Travelling to the Highlands by train, Inspector Grant ends up investigating the mysterious death of the man in compartment B7. An abridged reading by Paul Young of Tey's final novel, published posthumously in 1952. Also included is a Woman's Hour discussion of the life of Josephine Tey, with Andrew Taylor and fellow author Nicola Upson, whose bestselling crime novels feature Tey as the detective heroine. A Shilling for Candles Tisdall - Giles Fagan Erica - Tilly Gaunt Pottinger - Steve Hodson Bergoine - Stephen Thorne Grant - Ben Crowe Albert Clay - Harry Myers Hopgood - Geoffrey Whitehead Martha - Frances Jeater Dramatised by John Fletcher Directed by Tabitha Potts First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 5 December 1998 Miss Pym Disposes Lucy Pym - Julia Foster Henrietta Hodge - Joan Sims Teresa Desterro - Julia Swift Miss Lux - Polly James Miss Wragg - Zelah Clarke Madame Lefevre - Margaret Robertson Fröken Gustavson - Diana Olsson Miss Meek - Eva Stuart Miss Nash - Deborah Makepeace Miss Innes - Moir Leslie Miss Rouse - Susan Sheridan Miss O'Donnell - Felicity Hayes-McCoy Miss Dakers - Denica Fairman Miss Gage - Caroline Gruber Mr Nash - Michael Deacon Mrs Nash - Eva Stuart Rick - Paul Sirr Dramatised by Elizabeth Proud Directed by Glyn Dearman First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 30 December 1987 The Franchise Affair Read by Edward Petherbridge Abridged by Pat McLoughlin Editor: Sally Feldman Music: Bush's Music for Orchestra First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 7-23 May 1991 The Daughter of Time Alan Grant - Peter Gilmore Nurse Ingham - Frances Jeater Nurse Darroll - Jill Lidstone Marta Hallard - Rosalind Shanks Brent Carradine - Simon Hewitt Richard - Steve Hodson Tyrrel - Nigel Lambert Brackenbury - Lewis Stringer Lady Paston - Miranda Forbes Edward - Graham Faulkner Matron - Katherine Parr Williams - Stuart Organ Morton - Peter Tuddenham Buckingham - Alex Jennings Stillington - James Thomason Sir John - Alaric Cotter Dramatised by Neville Teller Directed by Graham Gauld First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 30 August 1982 The Singing Sands Read by Paul Young Produced by Eilidh McCreadie First broadcast BBC Radio 7, 17-20 March 2008 Woman's Hour discussion Presented by Jane Garvey With Nicola Upson and Andrew Taylor First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 29 February 2008

Josephine Tey (Author), Edward Petherbridge, Full Cast, Giles Fagan, Joan Sims, Julia Foster, Paul Young, Peter Gilmore, Tilly Gaunt (Narrator)

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Something to Shout About: Series 1-3: A BBC Radio Comedy: A BBC Radio Comedy

The complete Series 1-3 of the 1960s comedy set in the world of advertising Set in a London ad agency called 'Apsley, Addis, Cohen, Barbican, Blythe, Giddy & Partners’, Something To Shout About ran to 54 episodes over three series in 1960-61. Michael Medwin stars as account executive Michael, with Fenella Fielding as his seductive secretary Janet, Joan Sims and Sheila Hancock as shorthand typists Mavis and Shirley, Eleanor Summerfield as no-frills executive Maggie and Nicholas Phipps as copywriter Adrian. This disparate team must stick together to succeed, as they battle to win new accounts and impress clients – and from wooing a US tycoon to putting a glamorous spin on a dreary seaside holiday camp, they always think big. Why else would they hire an elephant to promote bath salts? In these three series, a new recruit unsettles the ad agency’s routine, there’s uproar in the agency when the women discover that the men get paid more, a Parisian photoshoot is ruined and has to be redone on a budget, and a team trip to the countryside to work on a shampoo commercial doesn’t go to plan... Written by Myles Rudge and guest starring Warren Mitchell and Roy Dotrice in a variety of roles, this light-hearted look at the advertising world is a treat for lovers of classic radio comedy. Written by Myles Rudge and Ronnie Wolfe Produced by John Simmonds, Trafford Whitelock and Eric Miller Music by The Jingle Belles and The Bernie Fenton Quartet, under the direction of Cliff Adams (Series 1)s

Myles Rudge, Ronie Wolfe (Author), Eleanor Summerfield, Fenella Fielding, Joan Sims, Michael Medwin, Nicholas Phipps, Sheila Hancock (Narrator)

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More Kenneth Williams' Stop Messing About

Join Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick and Joan Sims as they go beyond Round the Horne. Taking over the mantle of Round the Horne, Stop Messing About carried on the comedy tradition, which reunited Kenneth Williams with both Hugh Paddick and Kenneth's Carry On co-star, Joan Sims. These four episodes include such favourites as crusty old judge Sir Inigo Parchmutter, Crackerjackanory With Mother, more visits to Tolpurgis Hall, as well as a couple who bear a bona similarity to Julian and Sandy. With much vada-ing and some wonderful film adaptations, such as A Fistful of Denaro and Oliver Stick, Stop Messing About is packed with outrageously funny sketches, parodies, double entendres and saucy songs. Stop Messing About - the first all-nude radio show. Nervous listeners are advised to keep their eyes closed - and it s forbidden to take photographs.

Myles Rudge (Author), Hugh Paddick, Joan Sims, Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

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Kenneth Williams' Stop Messing About (Classic BBC Radio Comedy)

'Stop Messing About - the first all-nude radio show. Nervous listeners are advised to keep their eyes closed... and it's forbidden to take photographs.' Taking over the mantle of 'Round the Horne', 'Stop Messing About' carried on the comedy tradition, which reunited Kenneth Williams with his 'Carry On' co-star Joan Sims and Hugh Paddick. These four episodes include the story of a young politician, who can put his hand to anything. It also features the Homey Secretary and his friend Black Rod (who bear a bona similarity to Julian and Sandy), and whose performances on the floor of the House leave a lot to be desired... There's also a dirty wartime romp and the tale of a naughty gnome. We're introduced to Varda Marvello the Mind Reader, and a movie spoof called '2002: A Space Oddity'. Featuring Douglas 'Hot Lips' Smith and 'Crackerjackanory With Mother', 'Stop Messing About' is packed with outrageously funny sketches, parodies and saucy songs. Join Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick and Joan Sims as they go beyond 'Round the Horne'.

Myles Rudge (Author), Hugh Paddick, Joan Sims, Kenneth Williams (Narrator)

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4.50 From Paddington

Elspeth McGillicuddy is down from Scotland for a holiday and boards the 4:50 train from Paddington station to visit her friend, Miss Marple. During the journey, another train pulls alongside, and through the window Mrs McGillicuddy witnesses a tall, dark man strangling a blonde woman. She reports what she has seen, yet no one takes any notice. There is no report of any murder, no dead woman found on any train, and the police have no record of any persons reported missing that match the description. Only Miss Marple believes her account, and realising that the body must have been thrown off the train, with the help of maps and train timetables she pinpoints the exact spot where the body must be. With the help of her young friend Lucy Eyelesbarrow, she goes about the tricky task of uncovering a murder - and a cunning murderer... Agatha Christie's intricate mystery is dramatised with a full cast including Ian Lavender as Inspector Craddock, Joan Sims as Mrs McGillicuddy and Susannah Harker as Lucy Eyelesbarrow.

Agatha Christie (Author), Full Cast, Ian Lavender, Joan Sims, June Whitfield (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Joan Sims