Hancock's Half Hour - Revision history

Kurt: /* Setting */

2023-02-10T04:47:40Z

Setting

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:47, 9 February 2023
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	Commissioning of series in the UK was then closer to American practice with extensive runs not unknown, but in this case, with only two writers. Continuity in the idiom was yet to develop, and details changed to suit each episode. The domestic situation varied, but Hancock usually portrayed a 'resting' or hopeless down-at-heel actor and/or comedian (though some episodes showed him having runs of success, while some episodes depict him pursuing professional careers as fantasies), James was always on the fiddle in some way, Kerr gradually became dim and virtually unemployable (although he had started out as a fast-talking American-style Australian), and Hancock's 'secretary', Miss Pugh, had such a loose job description that in one celebrated episode she had cooked the Sunday lunch.		Commissioning of series in the UK was then closer to American practice with extensive runs not unknown, but in this case, with only two writers. Continuity in the idiom was yet to develop, and details changed to suit each episode. The domestic situation varied, but Hancock usually portrayed a 'resting' or hopeless down-at-heel actor and/or comedian (though some episodes showed him having runs of success, while some episodes depict him pursuing professional careers as fantasies), James was always on the fiddle in some way, Kerr gradually became dim and virtually unemployable (although he had started out as a fast-talking American-style Australian), and Hancock's 'secretary', Miss Pugh, had such a loose job description that in one celebrated episode she had cooked the Sunday lunch.

	At times the scripts would reflect topical realities of British life, such as the reintroduction of petrol rationing from November 1956 to March 1957 (during the Suez Crisis] in 'The Stolen Petrol' and a strike by members of the trade union ASLEF (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen) from 28 May to 14 June 1955 which involved a railway strike in 'The Rail Strike'. With the notable exception of ''[[Drop the Dead Donkey]]'' decades later, sitcoms rarely contained such topical references.~~{{cn\|date=October 2020}}~~		At times the scripts would reflect topical realities of British life, such as the reintroduction of petrol rationing from November 1956 to March 1957 (during the Suez Crisis] in 'The Stolen Petrol' and a strike by members of the trade union ASLEF (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen) from 28 May to 14 June 1955 which involved a railway strike in 'The Rail Strike'. With the notable exception of ''[[Drop the Dead Donkey]]'' decades later, sitcoms rarely contained such topical references.

	===Radio series cast===		===Radio series cast===

Kurt at 04:46, 10 February 2023

2023-02-10T04:46:11Z

Show changes

Kurt: /* External links */

2022-09-23T21:14:32Z

External links

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	* {{Screenonline TV title\|482549}}		* {{Screenonline TV title\|482549}}
	* {{British Comedy Guide\|tv\|hancocks_half_hour}}
	* [http://www.tonyhancock.org.uk The Tony Hancock Appreciation Society]		* [http://www.tonyhancock.org.uk The Tony Hancock Appreciation Society]
	* [https://web.archive.org/web/20171102041639/http://www.tonyhancockarchives.org.uk/index.htm The Tony Hancock Archives]		* [https://web.archive.org/web/20171102041639/http://www.tonyhancockarchives.org.uk/index.htm The Tony Hancock Archives]

Kurt: /* Commercial releases */

2022-09-23T21:10:45Z

Commercial releases

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	The first DVD to be released was in 2001, which was a re-release of "The Very Best of Hancock" video. The next DVD was to be released in 2004, containing the first five episodes and the rarely seen "Hancock's Forty-Three Minutes." However, [[w:2 Entertain\|2 Entertain]] released a box set in 2007 called ''The Tony Hancock Collection'', containing every existing episode and new bonus features, including Hancock's interview in the ''[[w:Face to Face (British TV series)\|Face to Face]]'' from 1960.		The first DVD to be released was in 2001, which was a re-release of "The Very Best of Hancock" video. The next DVD was to be released in 2004, containing the first five episodes and the rarely seen "Hancock's Forty-Three Minutes." However, [[w:2 Entertain\|2 Entertain]] released a box set in 2007 called ''The Tony Hancock Collection'', containing every existing episode and new bonus features, including Hancock's interview in the ''[[w:Face to Face (British TV series)\|Face to Face]]'' from 1960.

	In June and August 2009, six off-air audio recordings of lost TV episodes from Series 4 were unearthed, though they had been knocking around the bootleg market for some time; however, two of them are very poor quality. The six episodes were: "Underpaid or Grandad's S.O.S.", "The Flight of the Red Shadow", "The Horror Serial", "Matrimony – Almost", "The Beauty Contest" and "The Wrong Man".		In June and August 2009, six off-air audio recordings of lost TV episodes from Series 4 were unearthed, though they had been knocking around the bootleg market for some time; however, two of them are very poor quality. The six episodes were: "[[Underpaid]] or Grandad's S.O.S.", "[[The Flight of the Red Shadow]]", "[[The Horror Serial]]", "[[Matrimony – Almost]]", "[[The Beauty Contest]]" and "[[The Wrong Man]]".

	In 2009, the surviving radio episodes were repeated weekly on the digital network [[w:BBC Radio 4 Extra\|BBC Radio 7]], chronologically sequenced.		In 2009, the surviving radio episodes were repeated weekly on the digital network [[w:BBC Radio 4 Extra\|BBC Radio 7]], chronologically sequenced.

Kurt: /* Commercial releases */

2022-09-23T20:50:29Z

Commercial releases

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	==Commercial releases==		==Commercial releases==
	Four episodes of the TV series were re-recorded before studio audiences, in the style of radio programmes, and released on [[w:LP album\|LP]] format, two by [[w:Pye Records\|Pye]] on the 1961 album ''Hancock'' ("The Blood Donor" and "The Radio Ham") and two by [[w:Decca Records\|Decca]] on the 1965 album ''It's Hancock'' ("The Missing Page" and "The Reunion Party"), which was reissued as ''The World of Tony Hancock'' in 1975. The re-recordings entailed the rewriting of a number of visual gags; for instance, at the end of the TV version of "The Radio Ham", Hancock smashes his radio equipment, whereas in the LP version he holds an on-air auction for it. These recordings have been reissued several times on LP, cassette and CD, and have also appeared on comedy compilation CDs.		Four episodes of the TV series were re-recorded before studio audiences, in the style of radio programmes, and released on [[w:LP album\|LP]] format, two by [[w:Pye Records\|Pye]] on the 1961 album ''Hancock'' ("[[The Blood Donor]]" and "[[The Radio Ham]]") and two by [[w:Decca Records\|Decca]] on the 1965 album ''It's Hancock'' ("[[The Missing Page]]" and "[[The Reunion Party]]"), which was reissued as ''[[The World of Tony Hancock]]'' in 1975. The re-recordings entailed the rewriting of a number of visual gags; for instance, at the end of the TV version of "The Radio Ham", Hancock smashes his radio equipment, whereas in the LP version he holds an on-air auction for it. These recordings have been reissued several times on LP, cassette and CD, and have also appeared on comedy compilation CDs.

	BBC Records released an LP titled ''Hancock'' featuring the original TV soundtracks of two episodes, "The Lift" and "Twelve Angry Men." The episode "The Lift" was taken from the separate magnetic soundtrack of the telerecording, with the opening non-dialogue sequence omitted and one extra line of dialogue added: "Watch that door button... Oh my God!" as recorded by Hugh Lloyd on 24/08/76 and edited in. "Twelve Angry Men" was from the optical soundtrack of the telerecording, with theme and incidental music omitted, a few lines of dialogue edited out and pauses shortened.		BBC Records released an LP titled ''[[Hancock]]'' featuring the original TV soundtracks of two episodes, "[[The Lift]]" and "[[Twelve Angry Men (Hancock's Half Hour)\|Twelve Angry Men]]". The episode "The Lift" was taken from the separate magnetic soundtrack of the telerecording, with the opening non-dialogue sequence omitted and one extra line of dialogue added: "Watch that door button... Oh my God!" as recorded by Hugh Lloyd on 24/08/76 and edited in. "Twelve Angry Men" was from the optical soundtrack of the telerecording, with theme and incidental music omitted, a few lines of dialogue edited out and pauses shortened.

	The LP credits the theme music to [[Angela Morley]], even though the music was omitted, and the episodes were recorded when she was still called Wally Stott.		The LP credits the theme music to [[Angela Morley]], even though the music was omitted, and the episodes were recorded when she was still called Wally Stott.

	There have been six LPs released of substantially complete radio episodes. The first was by Pye Records in 1960 entitled ''This is Hancock'' containing "The Wild Man of The Woods" and "Sunday Afternoon At Home." The other five were by BBC Records, released as ''Hancock's Half Hour'': "The Poetry Society" and "Sid's Mystery Tours", released in 1980; "The Americans Hit Town" and "The Unexploded Bomb" in 1981; "The Scandal Magazine" and "The Last of the McHancocks" in 1982; "The Sleepless Night" and "Fred's Pie Stall" in 1983; and finally "Hancocks War" and "The Christmas Club" in 1984. These five LPs were also released on audio cassette at the same time. Also, a number of comedy-themed LPs, EPs and 7-inch singles have been released over the years which have featured short extracts from various radio episodes.		There have been six LPs released of substantially complete radio episodes. The first was by Pye Records in 1960 entitled ''[[This is Hancock]]'' containing "[[The Wild Man of The Woods]]" and "[[Sunday Afternoon at Home]]." The other five were by BBC Records, released as ''Hancock's Half Hour'': "[[The Poetry Society]]" and "[[Sid's Mystery Tours]]", released in 1980; "[[The Americans Hit Town]]" and "[[The Unexploded Bomb]]" in 1981; "[[The Scandal Magazine]]" and "[[The Last of the McHancocks]]" in 1982; "[[The Sleepless Night]]" and "[[Fred's Pie Stall]]" in 1983; and finally "Hancocks War" and "The Christmas Club" in 1984. These five LPs were also released on audio cassette at the same time. Also, a number of comedy-themed LPs, EPs and 7-inch singles have been released over the years which have featured short extracts from various radio episodes.

	The radio series of ''Hancock's Half Hour'' was first released on cassette by the BBC as part of their Radio Collection series of audio cassettes in the late 1980s. The first three volumes were re-issues of the five LPs from the 1980s plus the LP of television soundtracks from 1976. Because only 10 volumes were made with four episodes each, and because a number of episodes were later returned from homemade off-air recordings by listeners, a release of the radio series was never completed on cassette. In 2000, the episodes still remaining from Series 1 of the radio series were released as a box set on CD. Series 2–6 followed throughout the next three years. The series has also been given three compilation CDs.		The radio series of ''Hancock's Half Hour'' was first released on cassette by the BBC as part of their Radio Collection series of audio cassettes in the late 1980s. The first three volumes were re-issues of the five LPs from the 1980s plus the LP of television soundtracks from 1976. Because only 10 volumes were made with four episodes each, and because a number of episodes were later returned from homemade off-air recordings by listeners, a release of the radio series was never completed on cassette. In 2000, the episodes still remaining from Series 1 of the radio series were released as a box set on CD. Series 2–6 followed throughout the next three years. The series has also been given three compilation CDs.

Kurt: /* Series 6 (1959) */

2022-09-23T20:45:41Z

Series 6 (1959)

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	* Other guest stars: Noel Dryden (episode 1); [[Ann_Lancaster\|Anne Lancaster]] (episode 4, 14); [[Liz Fraser]] (episode 4); [[Raymond Glendenning]] (episode 5); Lillian Grasson (episode 6); Fraser Kerr (episodes 6, 11); Lee Crutchley (episode 6); [[Harry Towb]] (episode 7); [[Mavis Villiers]] (episode 9); Errol McKinnon (episode 9); [[Jack_Watson_(actor)\|Jack Watson]] (episode 10, 14); [[Fenella Fielding]] (episode 11); Joan Frank (episode 12); Frank Partington (episode 13); impressionist [[Peter Goodwright]] (episode 14); Jerry Stovin (episode 14); Ronald Wilson (episode 14);		* Other guest stars: Noel Dryden (episode 1); [[Ann_Lancaster\|Anne Lancaster]] (episode 4, 14); [[Liz Fraser]] (episode 4); [[Raymond Glendenning]] (episode 5); Lillian Grasson (episode 6); Fraser Kerr (episodes 6, 11); Lee Crutchley (episode 6); [[Harry Towb]] (episode 7); [[Mavis Villiers]] (episode 9); Errol McKinnon (episode 9); [[Jack_Watson_(actor)\|Jack Watson]] (episode 10, 14); [[Fenella Fielding]] (episode 11); Joan Frank (episode 12); Frank Partington (episode 13); impressionist [[Peter Goodwright]] (episode 14); Jerry Stovin (episode 14); Ronald Wilson (episode 14);

	# The Smugglers		# [[The Smugglers]]
	# The Childhood Sweetheart		# [[The Childhood Sweetheart]]
	# The Last Bus Home		# [[The Last Bus Home]]
	# The Picnic		# [[The Picnic]]
	# The Gourmet		# [[The Gourmet]]
	# The Elopement		# [[The Elopement]]
	# Fred's Pie Stall		# [[Fred's Pie Stall]]
	# The Waxwork		# [[The Waxwork]]
	# Sid's Mystery Tours		# [[Sid's Mystery Tours]]
	# The Fete		# [[The Fete]]
	# The Poetry Society		# [[The Poetry Society]]
	# Hancock in Hospital (a.k.a. Visiting Day)		# [[Hancock in Hospital]] (a.k.a. Visiting Day)
	# The Christmas Club		# [[The Christmas Club]]
	# The Impersonator (a.k.a. The Impressionist)		# [[The Impersonator]] (a.k.a. The Impressionist)

	All episodes still exist.		All episodes still exist.

Kurt: /* Special remake series for BBC Transcription Services (1958) */

2022-09-23T20:44:45Z

Special remake series for BBC Transcription Services (1958)

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	* Regular cast: Tony Hancock, Sid James, Hattie Jacques, Bill Kerr, Kenneth Williams.		* Regular cast: Tony Hancock, Sid James, Hattie Jacques, Bill Kerr, Kenneth Williams.

	# The 13th of the Month (remake of 'The 13th of the series', 13th of 4th series) The script was re-written so that the plot did not hinge on it being the 13th of a series as broadcast.		# [[The 13th of the Month]] (remake of 'The 13th of the series', 13th of 4th series) The script was re-written so that the plot did not hinge on it being the 13th of a series as broadcast.
	# The New Secretary (remake of 5th of 4th series) Hattie Jacques's arrival is presented in flashback, so the show can be placed anywhere in a series.		# [[The New Secretary]] (remake of 5th of 4th series) Hattie Jacques's arrival is presented in flashback, so the show can be placed anywhere in a series.
	# The Ballet Visit (remake of 'The Bolshoi Ballet' 2nd of 4th series) Ballet company changed to The Covent Garden Ballet, to avoid topical reference to 1956 visit to London by the Bolshoi Ballet.		# [[The Ballet Visit]] (remake of 'The Bolshoi Ballet' 2nd of 4th series) Ballet company changed to The Covent Garden Ballet, to avoid topical reference to 1956 visit to London by the Bolshoi Ballet.
	# The Election Candidate (remake of 10th of 5th series) Hancock now stands for the local Independent party instead of the East Cheam Liberal party as he did in the original.		# [[The Election Candidate]] (remake of 10th of 5th series) Hancock now stands for the local Independent party instead of the East Cheam Liberal party as he did in the original.

	These episodes are remakes for overseas sales, rewritten to remove any topical or UK-specific references.		These episodes are remakes for overseas sales, rewritten to remove any topical or UK-specific references.

Kurt: /* Christmas Special */

2022-09-23T20:43:55Z

Christmas Special

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	====Christmas Special====		====Christmas Special====
	"Bill and Father Christmas"		"[[Bill and Father Christmas]]"
	* Cast: Tony Hancock, Sid James, Hattie Jacques, Bill Kerr, [[Warren Mitchell]]		* Cast: Tony Hancock, Sid James, Hattie Jacques, Bill Kerr, [[Warren Mitchell]]

Kurt: /* Series 5 (1958) */

2022-09-23T20:43:28Z

Series 5 (1958)

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	* Regular cast: Tony Hancock, Sid James, Hattie Jacques, Bill Kerr, Kenneth Williams.		* Regular cast: Tony Hancock, Sid James, Hattie Jacques, Bill Kerr, Kenneth Williams.

	# The New Radio Series - includes reference to series 3 of the TV series which had just finished.		# [[The New Radio Series]] - includes reference to series 3 of the TV series which had just finished.
	# The Scandal Magazine - with John Vere		# [[The Scandal Magazine]] - with John Vere
	# The Male Suffragettes		# [[The Male Suffragettes]]
	# The Insurance Policy		# [[The Insurance Policy]]
	# The Publicity Photograph		# [[The Publicity Photograph]]
	# The Unexploded Bomb		# [[The Unexploded Bomb]]
	# Hancock's School		# [[Hancock's School]]
	# Around the World in Eighty Days		# [[Around the World in Eighty Days]]
	# The Americans Hit Town		# [[The Americans Hit Town]]
	# The Election Candidate		# [[The Election Candidate]]
	# Hancock's Car		# [[Hancock's Car]]
	# The East Cheam Drama Festival		# [[The East Cheam Drama Festival]]
	# The Foreign Legion		# [[The Foreign Legion]]
	# Sunday Afternoon at Home		# [[Sunday Afternoon at Home]]
	# The Grappling Game		# [[The Grappling Game]]
	# The Junkman		# [[The Junkman]]
	# Hancock's War		# [[Hancock's War]]
	# The Prize Money		# [[The Prize Money]]
	# The Threatening Letters		# [[The Threatening Letters]]
	# The Sleepless Night		# [[The Sleepless Night]]

	All episodes still exist.		All episodes still exist.

Kurt: /* Series 4 (1956–1957) */

2022-09-23T20:41:49Z

Series 4 (1956–1957)

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	* Regular cast: Tony Hancock, Sid James, Hattie Jacques (debut in Episode 5), Bill Kerr, Kenneth Williams.		* Regular cast: Tony Hancock, Sid James, Hattie Jacques (debut in Episode 5), Bill Kerr, Kenneth Williams.

	# Back From Holiday		# [[Back From Holiday]]
	# The Bolshoi Ballet		# [[The Bolshoi Ballet]]
	# Sid James's Dad		# [[Sid James's Dad]]
	# The Income Tax Demand		# [[The Income Tax Demand]]
	# The New Secretary		# [[The New Secretary]]
	# Michelangelo 'Ancock		# [[Michelangelo 'Ancock]]
	# Anna and the King of Siam		# [[Anna and the King of Siam]]
	# Cyrano De Hancock		# [[Cyrano De Hancock]]
	# The Stolen Petrol		# [[The Stolen Petrol]]
	# The Espresso Bar		# [[The Espresso Bar]]
	# Hancock's Happy Christmas		# [[Hancock's Happy Christmas]]
	# The Diary		# [[The Diary]]
	# The 13th of the Series		# [[The 13th of the Series]]
	# Almost A Gentleman		# [[Almost A Gentleman]]
	# The Old School Reunion		# [[The Old School Reunion]]
	# The Wild Man of the Woods		# [[The Wild Man of the Woods]]
	# Agricultural 'Ancock		# [[Agricultural 'Ancock]]
	# Hancock in the Police		# [[Hancock in the Police]]
	# The Emigrant		# [[The Emigrant]]
	# The Last of the McHancocks - with [[James Robertson Justice]]		# [[The Last of the McHancocks]] - with [[James Robertson Justice]]

	All episodes still exist.~~{{Citation needed\|date=April 2011}}~~		All episodes still exist.

	====Series 5 (1958)====		====Series 5 (1958)====