Audiobooks Narrated by Sidney James

Hancock’s Half Hour: A Visit to Swansea: A lost episode of the classic radio comedy & more

"The very first publication of a legendary lost episode of Hancock’s Half Hour, featuring Harry Secombe – plus bonus material One of the most popular comedies of all time, Hancock’s Half Hour ran for 5 years on BBC Radio from 1954-1959. Sadly, many of the 102 shows were lost, including ‘A Visit to Swansea’ – but now, this piece of radio history has been rediscovered and gloriously restored. The show – Episode 4 from Series 2 – is the only one to feature both Tony Hancock and Harry Secombe. For the previous three episodes, Secombe had replaced Hancock while the latter took an unscheduled trip to Rome. Here, Tony returns, to begrudgingly make ‘A Visit to Swansea’ and thank Harry for filling his shoes. Also included is an interview with Harry Secombe’s son Andy, in which he chats to Colin Murray about his father, his memories of Tony Hancock, and the story behind ‘A Visit to Swansea’. And in Tony Hancock – From Bournemouth to East Cheam, comedian Steve Punt recounts how The Lad Himself became the first true sitcom star. Production credits Hancock’s Half Hour written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson Produced by Dennis Main Wilson Thanks to Tessa Le Bars, Martin Gibbons, Keith Wickham, Richard Harrison, The Radio Circle and the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society ‘A Visit to Swansea’ Starring Tony Hancock With Harry Secombe, Bill Kerr, Sidney James, Andree Melly and Kenneth Williams Theme and incidental music composed by Wally Stott Rediscovered by Richard Harrison of The Radio Circle, with an introduction by Keith Wickham First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 10 May 1955 NB: Due to the age and off-air nature of this recording, the sound quality may vary Interview with Andy Secombe from the Colin Murray Show Presented by Colin Murray With Andy Secombe First broadcast BBC Radio 5 Live, 28 November 2022 Tony Hancock – From Bournemouth To East Cheam Presented by Steve Punt With contributions from Ken Robins, Stephen Petty, Marjorie Dawson, Bruce Barnes, George Fairweather, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson Produced by Richard Latto First broadcast BBC Radio Solent, 27 May 2013 © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Alan Simpson, Ray Galton (Author), Andrée Melly, Bill Kerr, Harry Secombe, Sidney James, Steve Punt, Tony Hancock (Narrator)

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Hancock’s Half Hour: The Marriage Bureau: A lost episode of the classic radio comedy & more

"The first ever publication of a long-lost episode of Hancock's Half Hour, featuring Peter Sellers - plus bonus material Legendary sitcom Hancock's Half Hour ran for 102 episodes on BBC Radio between 1954 and 1959. Over 20 shows were subsequently lost - but now one of the funniest and most sought-after, 'The Marriage Bureau', has been rediscovered. The penultimate episode of Series 1, it features a unique appearance from Peter Sellers, standing in for Kenneth Williams. Available for the first time since its original broadcast in 1955, it sees Hancock looking for a job - and a wife... Alongside it is a fascinating documentary, Raiders of the Lost Archive, in which Keith Wickham - the Indiana Jones of archiving - and fellow treasure-hunters discuss the thrilling, complex work of locating and restoring missing radio classics. Plus, there's a surviving extract from the lost Hancock's Half Hour episode, 'The New Year Resolutions', and a previously unreleased documentary, H-H-H-Happy Birthday Hancock, in which Andrew Sachs presents an affectionate tribute to The Lad Himself with contributions from Denis Norden, Ray Galton, Alan Simpson, John Freeman and Sid James. Credits Hancock's Half Hour written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson Produced by Dennis Main Wilson Thanks to Tessa Le Bars, Martin Gibbons, Keith Wickham, Richard Harrison, the Radio Circle and the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society. 'The Marriage Bureau' Starring Tony Hancock, Bill Kerr, Moira Lister, Sidney James and Peter Sellers Announcer: Adrian Waller Theme and incidental music composed by Wally Stott. Recorded by the BBC Revue Orchestra conducted by Harry Rabinowitz Sound restoration by Keith Wickham First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 8 February 1955 Raiders of the Lost Archive Presented by Keith Wickham Written and edited by Keith Wickham and James Peak With special thanks to the Radio Circle, Richard Harrison, Roger Bickerton, Mark Ayres, Steve Arnold, Tom Hercock, Hannah Ratford and all at BBC Archives in Caversham Produced by James Peak An Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4 First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 13 October 2022 Extract from 'The New Year Resolutions' Starring Tony Hancock, Bill Kerr, Sidney James and Kenneth Williams Sound restoration by Jon Street First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 4 January 1956 NB: Due to the age and off-air nature of this recording, the sound quality may vary H-H-H Happy Birthday Hancock Presented by Andrew Sachs With contributions from Denis Norden, Ray Galton, Alan Simpson, John Freeman and Sid James, and excerpts from Hancock's Half Hour Produced by Richard Edis First broadcast BBC Radio 2, 11 May 1999 ©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Alan Simpson, Ray Galton (Author), Andrew Sachs, Bill Kerr, Full Cast, Kenneth Williams, Moira Lister, Peter Sellers, Sidney James, Tony Hancock (Narrator)

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