Product Description

From Hancock connoisseur to first time fan, this comprehensive collection makes for essential and funny listening and is a worthy tribute to the comic genius of Tony Hancock. Published here on four CDs in a luxury box set are eight shows broadcast between 1954 and 1961.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #56177 in Books
• Published on: 2001-11-05
• Released on: 2001-11-05
• Format: Audiobook
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 4
• Binding: Audio CD

Amazon.co.uk Review
When Ray Galton and Alan Simpson created Hancock's Half Hour--their first big hit before Steptoe and Son--they needed a supporting cast, and their choices were inspired. Sid James became the quintessential shifty crook, Bill Kerr played Tony Hancock's best friend while Moira Lister became his girlfriend, and as Kenneth Williams intoned a variety of authority-voices--police, magistrates, etc.--another comic star was born. Out of the 16 original programmes from the period under review, the BBC managed to lose six--culpable carelessness--but among the extant 10 there are outright gems, some of which will be unfamiliar even to fans, and many of which would today be banned as hopelessly un-PC. Viz Hancock's cheery greeting: "Morning Charlie. Working? Oh, of course you don't need to, with 28 children!" Or his observation--of some sluggish British workmen building a house--that he's glad they've been provided with shovels complete with arm-rests. Asked for his own address, he replies "I've just moved. They pulled down my house to build a slum". Relayed cold, such comments may not even raise a smile: Hancock's magic was all in the telling, and in the momentum he built up, as in his Monte Carlo rally programme, in which signposts were turned round and bridges blown up. One of the nicest sketches evolves out of him being left to do the housework like Cinderella, while everyone else troops off to the ball. When he died, a victim of depression, in Australia in 1968, Britain lost something irreplaceable: this five-CD set, with its accompanying booklet, makes a splendid memento. The next batch of releases is eagerly awaited. --Betty Tadman

Customer Reviews

Hancock's Last Half Hour
Comedy at it's finest, Hancock passes the finish line with classic shows such as 'The Poetry Society' (my fave) and 'The Smugglers'.

These shows may have been recorded nearly 50 years ago but Tone's consistent and hilarious portrayal of pomposity, arrogance, stupidity, and wonderfully misplaced patriotism are a joy to behold, and gives this collection a timeless quality (unless you think these traits are no longer with us in the 21st century).

With a regular cast of Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Hattie Jacques, and Bill Kerr, this is ensemble comedy that is as good as Seinfeld, and there can be no higher praise than that.

H-H-Hilarious.
The latest instalment of BBC's excavation of the archives to unearth the gems of their classic comedy wardrobe brings us Hancock's Half Hour Series 3. Eight of the original 20 broadcasts from the third series have survived, lavishly packaged over 4 cd's including brief synopses for all the shows transmitted originally between the 1955 and 1956 season and notes from the writers Galton and Simpson.

This is the last series to feature the object of Hancock's desires Andree Melly, who apears here miraculously 'elisa doolittled'replete with rounded vowels. The 'snide' character of Kenneth Williams now firmly established this series is blessed with some hysterical moments including what at the time must have been a coup for the show, the guest appearance of cricketeers Colin Cowdrey, Godfrey Evans and Frank Tyson.

Splendour at Hancock's egotistical buffoonery as a foolhardy dupe for Sid James'dastardly manipulation and Kenneth Williams range of characters in this acknowledged classic situation comedy.

Easy to see why then that at it's peak this show caused landlords at public houses up and down the country to change their opening times when broadcast on the airwaves.

Featured here are three shows previously included on the cassette collections augmented by five 'new' shows seeing Hancock in all manner of scrapes. Prized moments here are 'The Jewel Robbery'where Hancock decides it's time to change his car and buys a Rolls Royce ("for a man who doesn't like mentioning money I think you've forced yourself admirably") and ends up finding himself unwittingly involved in a car chase. In 'The Pet Dog' Hancock becoming the proud owner of a new puppy "there's only one thing for it Bill, move the car out of the garage....and into the kennel"

On the evidence of this little treasure, Series 4 is eagerly awaited with b-b-baited breathe.

A priceless collection of vintage radio comedy
The first radio series of the Hancock's Half Hour Radio Series is a must for the diehard fan of vintage British radio comedy. The sound enhancements made to the old recordings are very good and its hard to believe the episodes are over 45 years old. The only disappointment that several of this series have been 'mislaid' by the BBC leaving only ten episodes (of 16) on these five CD's. The first two episodes are a bit disjointed and show a touch of nervousness and clumsiness on the part of the cast and some writing from Galton and Simpson which is not up to their usual high standard. The audience too, seem a little unsure of the storyline. However, rest assured, it starts to come good on the second CD. From then on its Hancock at his best, well supported by Sid James, Bill Kerr and Moira Lister as Hancock's long suffering girlfriend. The audience begin to go with the plots and appear more appreciative than in the first episodes. The highlights (difficult to choose) are "Cinderella Hancock", where Tony plays a Cinderella type character who is prevented from going to a movie ball by the ugly "sisters" Kerr and James. Thanks to a "fairy-Godfather" Tony arrives at the ball and tries to impress the stars. He departs the ball at midnight leaving behind an old army boot as his calling card. He is soon reunited with it at the end of the episode by two soldiers who nab Hancock for desertion from the Army. Another fine episode is "The New Car" when Hancock buys a car from Sid, not knowing it is a 'hot' police car recently stolen by Mr James! All in all its excellent. Several cameo roles appear including Dora Bryan, Raymond Baxter and wonderful bit parts by the versatile Kenneth Williams (especially as an escaped convict in "The New Car" and as acustoms officer in "A Trip To France").

Can't wait for series two (next year maybe?) PS: You also get the full signature tune at the end of each episode.