The Giant Bombardon
| "The Giant Bombardon" | |
|---|---|
| The Goon Show episode | |
| Episode no. | Series 04 Episode 13 |
| Written by | |
| Presented by | Wallace Greenslade |
| Produced by | Peter Eton |
| Music |
|
| Production code | TLO 40660 |
| Original air date | 20 December 1953 |
| Running time | 2:20 |
| Guest appearance | |
| Michael Bentine | |
The Giant Bombardon is an episode from The Goon Show. It is the thirteenth show in the fourth series. The recording took place Sunday 20 December 1953 at 9.30pm at the Aeolian I studio, 135–137 New Bond Street, London.
The first British public broadcast was on the Home Service on Saturday 26 December 1953 at 4.30pm (except Norther Ireland or the North). It reached a peak listenership of 0.8m.
There is only a 2 minute 20 second excerpt that exists from this show. Ironically, given that Michael Bentine was a guest on the show, the existing recording does not include his part.
BBC Audio synopsis
During the Crimean War of 1853, at Balaclava Major Bloodnok is unable to launch a successful assault on the Russians behind the walls of Sevastopol. At the House of Commons in London, Lieutenant Seagoon stays with his aunt and uncle and discovers that their lodger, Mr Osric Pureheart, has finished a model of his latest invention — a giant bombardon.
Music
- The BBC Orchestra was conducted by Wally Stott
- Max Geldray plays Sweet Lorraine (Cliff Burwell (music) / Mitchell Parish (lyrics)).
- The Ray Ellington Quartet plays The Creep (Andy Burton (in reality Ken Mackintosh) / Brian Fahey).
Technical
Originally recorded on TLO 40660 (15 ips ¼" tape recorded at Broadcasting House. This extract was preserved by the BBC Sound Archive on a 78 rpm disc (20529).
