The BONUS PAGES Pages/Issue 17... · 2020-03-28 · The Flight of the Red Shadow: In Detail By Jonathan Street The Flight of the Red Shadow was broadcast live on 23rd January 1959

The Bonus Pages - January 2020 - Page 1

The BONUS PAGESExtra Material From

THE TONY HANCOCK APPRECIATION SOCIETY -

Number 17 - April 2020

In this issue:P1 - ContentsP2 - 9 Flight of the Red Shadow - Jon StreetP10 -15 Into the Archive - Tim Elms delves into the THAS Autograph collectionP16 - 24 - Film Fun Annual 1960.P25 - Twitter Round UpP26 - A comedy of madness - a discussion about mental heath and comediansP27 - Funny Ha Ha, a new book of comic writing edited by Paul Merton.P28 - Death of Tony’s Brother - A Stickler for Exactitude... ExtractP29 - Hancock's Tragic Mum, article from the Bournemouth EchoP30 - The Navy Lark stage tour - review by Tom DommettP31 - The best joke in the world - extract from Jeremy Hardy Speaks Volumes

The Flight of the Red Shadow: In Detail

By Jonathan Street The Flight of the Red Shadow was broadcast live on 23rd January 1959 at 7.30pm, the show was Telerecorded onto 35mm film (a method of recording the Television output onto film using a specially modified camera and monitor for repeats and overseas broadcasts in the days before Videotape was feasible) and repeated on 26th April 1959.

The ‘Stored Field’ Telerecording may have been sold for overseas broadcast, as the programme was sold to Australia, New Zealand, Canada & South Africa. No video of this episode is known to have survived, however, many years ago the THAS discovered a very low quality recording of the soundtrack on reel to reel tape, made by a viewer at home.

Subsequently, in the 1990’s, a better quality recording of the soundtrack was again discovered by the THAS, this was later released on CD by the BBC in August 2009. Unlike the recently discovered soundtracks of ‘The Horror Serial’ and ‘The Italian Maid’, this recording is not quite perfect, but pretty reasonable for its age and the circumstances in which it was recorded. Also unlike these other two soundtracks, it’s somewhat difficult to follow the story, as there are sections of purely visual humour, approximately 4 scenes, or parts thereof where the listener is unsure quite what would’ve been happening on screen. These are the opening scene of Tony singing a duet, the third scene, where Tony & Sid are chased through the streets, the gramophone record of the national anthem in scene 5 and the further chase down the street in the penultimate scene.

So, what follows is a lengthy description of the episode, explaining the visual elements of the show based on the copy of Galton & Simpson’s script which Ray Galton kindly allowed the society to make a copy of some 15-odd years ago. The scan of this is also available on the 8th disc of the Tony Hancock BBC Collection DVD box set and a PDF of this can be viewed by inserting the disc into a computer. The following is also illustrated with the only 8 photographs that I have been able to locate from the production of this episode.

The Flight of the Red Shadow Synopsis The episode opens with a shot of a dismal depressing smoky industrial town. This is ‘Coalport-Under-Smog’, we see a poster for the East Cheam Repertory Company in ‘Desert Song’.

Inside the theatre, a tatty pit orchestra are scraping away at ‘The Riff Song’. They finish the overture and the curtain rises. The scene is a tatty backcloth of the desert. Tony enters in the full Sheik getup, he strides in and poses centre stage waiting for applause. He gets nothing, so carries on.

He says a few lines of the play and is heckled by audience members played by Ray & Alan who blow raspberries. He tries to ignore them, then he bursts into song. After this, he again waits for applause and gets nothing. He’s disgusted!

A girl, played by Louise Howard enters singing, Tony smiles down at her but when she sings slightly off key his smile becomes forced. He tries hard to keep up appearances.

A couple of pennies land on the stage at their feet, with accompanying catcalls and whistles. Tony immediately moves over, dragging her with him and puts his foot on one of the pennies.

They’re shoving each other on stage whilst continuing to sing, Tony manages to pick up the penny he has his foot on. Then a whole shower of pennies land on the stage, they don’t bother to keep up the pretence anymore. They just wander about the stage bending down picking up all the pennies whilst continuing to sing.


They rush back to the centre of the stage for the final climactic reprise of the last line. Both with a handful of pennies. They take their bow to a rain of cabbages, ice cream cartons and other rubbish.

As they come off from the wings, the rest of the cast dressed in varying Arab and Foreign Legion gear surround them. Tony argues with the cast over money, one of whom is played by Mario Fabrizi. Tony pretends to have a funny turn, the cast rush off for a chair and a Doctor for Tony. As soon as they’ve gone, Tony makes a dash for his dressing room and locks himself in.

There’s a knock on the door, Tony takes the money, puts it in a make-up box and puts it up on a shelf, he opens the door. Sid comes in, goes straight over to the shelf, takes the make-up box, empties the money out, counts it and puts it in his pocket. Sid and Tony chat about the money, or lack thereof that they’re earning. The tour has not been a success.

The Manager played by Robert Dorning comes in and sacks Tony, after he leaves, the cast bang on the door as they’ve not been paid for three weeks and want their money. Sid and Tony decide to scarper.

Tony takes some clothes down from a hook, shoves them in a suitcase, along with some assorted stuff off the table, then as an afterthought unscrews a couple of electric light bulbs from the sockets round the mirror and throws them into the bag. Shuts it and slings the bag out of the window.

They clamber out of the window just as the door bursts open. Sid and Tony (still dressed as an Arab) run through the streets of Coalport, they are being chased by half a dozen Arabs and Legionnaires. Tony and Sid stop by a sidestreet. Sid beckons Tony impatiently to come on up the street, Tony shakes his head and points upwards. We see a big red ‘No Entry’ road sign. Sid wallops him on the shoulder then pushes him up the street. Tony shrugs and runs up the street with Sid. The Arabs and Legionnaires run up the street after them.

In the next street there are three large parked cars, front facing to the kerb. The Arabs & Legionnaires run past the cars. The boot of the first one opens and Sid

peeks out. He makes sure the coast is clear and climbs out. He looks round then goes up to the second car and knocks on the boot. Nothing happens. He knocks on it again. Nothing happens. Sid gets worried. He tries the handle. It’s locked. He struggles to get the boot open, very frightened. Then the boot of the third car opens and Tony clambers out cautiously.

He sees Sid struggling and banging on the boot of the second car. Tony goes over and helps Sid, who doesn’t realise that Tony is standing next to him.


Then he sees Tony, does a double take and wallops him. Tells him to come on and they walk back down the street in the opposite direction to the Arabs and Legionnaires.

Tony and Sid stop in the park, Tony realises his suitcase is full of costumes, he left his suit at the theatre, their other clothes are at their digs, but Sid realises that they won’t be able to get these either as their rent hasn’t been paid. They go through the costumes and decide to change into the Indian Prince and Servant costumes.

The next scene’s a market like Petticoat Lane. Tony is resplendent in Indian Prince’s costume, including a jewelled turban with a plume up the front. Sid is in the Indian servant’s costume. Tony is sitting cross-legged on the floor. A few on-lookers are standing around.

Sid says some patter to get a small crowd interested, ‘Come and have your fortune told for sixpence’, a Sailor played by Rolf Harris comes along and has his palm read by Tony.

Tony is studying the man’s hand puzzled. Then he realises what’s wrong. He takes the Sailor’s glove off deliberately, throws it on the ground bad-temperedly and re-studies the exposed palm. Tony says he will have a long journey across the water.

The sailor accuses him of robbery, they argue and a Policeman played by Arthur Mullard comes along, enquiring about the fracas.

A Vicar played by John Vere comes on saying Tony is the Maharajah or Ranjipur and arresting him will cause an international incident, so the policeman arrests the Sailor instead.

Sid and Tony go off with the Vicar, as they may be able to scrounge their fare home. As they leave, we notice a poster on a nearby wall which reads…

“THE INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY OF COALPORT. TONIGHTS DISCUSSION. EDUCATION IN THE FAR EAST. GUEST SPEAKER, HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, THE MAHARAJAH OF RANJIPUR.” The next scene is in a Church Hall, decorated with flags and banners. Either side of a table are seated the local dignitaries, including the Mayor and Mayoress in full regalia. The Vicar comes on stage and introduces and welcomes Tony as the Maharajah. The Vicar snaps his finger at a man with a gramophone who starts a record. It’s a national Anthem which gives the impression of having finished. After a pause, it starts up again. This happens three times. As it starts, Tony and the rest are all sitting down. They rise as the music starts. Tony sees them rise and gets up with them. At the first apparent finish Tony goes to sit down. The others remain to attention. Tony stands up again.

At the second apparent finish Tony does the same thing, at the third apparent finish he half sits waiting to see what happens, when it starts again, he straightens up. When the music finishes he is standing to attention. The Vicar waits for Tony to sit, he doesn’t relax until it’s obvious there is no more, then sits down.

The others follow suit. Tony applauds asking what the tune was, only to be told it’s his own national Anthem.


Tony makes up a speech about education in the Far East, Sid takes his turban around collecting money. The real Maharajah turns up followed by the actors still dressed as Arabs and Legionnaires and the Policeman.

Tony and Sid run off with the Arabs and the policeman chasing then down the street.

There’s a Black Wolsey parked in the street, as the other cars were parked before, front to the curb.

The pursuers all run past it, the camera tracks in on the boot. There are two bits of cloth sticking out of it, they’re both pulled in.

A man in uniform gets into the car, which turns around so that we can see ‘Police’ across the radiator, and drives off in the opposite direction to the way the others have gone. The Police car goes off down the street and turns the corner.

In the final scene, we fade up on the stage, the curtain rises. The scene is a backcloth of Hills and a totem pole. An Indian Wigwam is on the left of the stage. As before, the Tatty Orchestra starts up “The Indian Love Call” from ‘Rose Marie’. Tony comes out of the wigwam dressed as an Indian brave. We hear rapturous applause and cheers. Tony holds up his hands for silence. The applause dies down. Tony nods to the Orchestra. They start again.

As Tony starts to sing, a warder, played by Alan Simpson comes on and stops the performance. The Governor asks what’s wrong. The Warder explains that Sid’s escaped dressed as a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman, Tony realises why he wanted that part and is shoved back to his cell by the Warder.

On the following pages are images of all of the supporting cast of this episode, be they extra’s without dialogue or part of the informal ‘East Cheam Repertory Company’ (as Duncan Wood, who directed and cast the episodes referred to some of the more frequently used cast members).

The only cast members who are not listed on the next pages are Louis Adam who played an Arab and Ben Bowers who played the Maharajah’s attendant, as neither of these actors appear on IMDB and I can find no photographs or any other information about them whatsoever.

Some of the information and images are courtesy of movie-dude.co.uk, an excellent website which is a ‘Pictorial Filmography of Screen Actors!’ and includes many images of extra’s and small bit part players of yesteryear.

Adjacent to each actor’s photograph is a partial filmography of other programmes they featured in.


Louise Howard (Singer)

Mario Fabrizi 1924-1963 (Arab)

The below three actors were also in the crowd scene at the market.

Patrick Milner (Legionnaire)

Herbert Nelson 1927-1983 (Legionnaire)

George Crowther 1893-1963 (Arab – See above photo too)

Stanley Segal (Arab) (I can find no photo of Stanley)

Also seen in:

Hancock Episodes Include: The Babysitters, Football Pools, Spanish Interlude (Bullring attendant), The Cruise, The Airfield (guest), The Lawyer (usher), The Alpine Holiday (Gendarme) The Colour Picture is from ‘Spy Trap’ (1975)

Comedy Playhouse – And Here, All the Way From… 1963

Steptoe & Son – Wallah, Wallah Catsmeat – Rag & Bone man 1963

Citizen James – 4 episodes including: The Raffle, The Money 1960

Notable as the second bodyguard in ‘The Two Murderers’

Steptoe & Son – Wallah, Wallah Catsmeat 1963 Rag & Bone man Sykes and a… Job 1962 Sykes and a… Cat 1961 Hancock’s Half Hour episodes included: The East Cheam Centenary The Ladies Man Ericson the Viking Air Steward Hancock (passenger) …And several others that no longer exist in the archives.

The Pink Panther 1963 Hotel Manager (uncredited) The Punch and Judy Man 1963 Nevil Shanks The Wrong Arm of the Law 1963 Van Driver (uncredited) Carry On Cruising 1962 Second Cook The Rebel 1961 Coffee Bar attendant The Army Game (TV Series) 32 episodes 1959-1960 LCpl. 'Moosh' Merryweather / Foreign Traveler / Count Mario Fabrizi Of Tuscana Sykes and A... (TV Series) 1960 - Sykes and a Movie Camera (1960) Two Way Stretch - Jones 1960 Mario appeared in 22 Episodes of Hancock’s Half Hour – Notably ‘The Oak Tree’ as a Professional Marcher, ‘12 Angry Men’ as the Juror who ‘Can’t stand it’ and ‘The Big Night’ as a man washing shirt. He announced his retirement from show business and sadly died of a stress-related illness a week later.

Stanley also appeared in ‘Armchair Theatre’ three times from 1958-1960.


Stanley Ayres (Strongman) (I can find no photo of this Stanley either)

Robert Dorning 1913-1989 (Theatre Manager)

Alec Bregonzi 1930-2006 (Balloon Seller)

Ivor Raymonde 1926-1990 (Toy Seller)

Rolf Harris 1930-Present (Sailor)

Arthur Mullard 1910-1995 (Policeman)

Ivor appeared in a number of Hancock episodes, noticeable for his very deep voice in ‘The Set That Failed’ and ‘Ericson the Viking’. He was a musician and arranger for Dusty Springfield’s hit ‘I Only Want to Be With You’. He later played ‘Lennie’ in two episodes of EastEnders in 1987.

Q6 (TV Series) 1975-1978 Various Characters Sykes (TV Series) 1974-1978 - Football Match (1978) ... Mr. Mellilieu - The Band (1974) ... Colonel Smithson The Galton & Simpson Playhouse (TV Series) 1977 - Big Deal at York City (1977) Coronation Street (TV Series) 1965-1972 Geoffrey Wormold / Alderman Rogers Dad's Army (TV Series) 1969 - Something Nasty in the Vault (1969) ... the Bank Inspector Pardon the Expression / Turn Out the Lights (TV Series’) 1965-1967 Wally Hunt Steptoe and Son (TV Series) 1965 - The Siege of Steptoe Street (1965) ... Mr. Stacey Bootsie and Snudge (TV Series) 1960-1963 Rt. Hon. Sec. Hesketh Pendleton / Alfredo Gonzales Robert appeared in 18 episodes of Hancock’s Half Hour, notably The East Cheam Centenary as the Mayor, The Ladies' Man as Mr Hathway and Lord Byron Lived Here as an American tourist. Happiness (TV Series) 2001 - Personality Crisis (2001) ... Vicar 1 The Two Ronnies (TV Series) 1975-1987 Steward / Henry VI's Cousin / Restaurant Waiter / ... Filthy Rich & Catflap (TV Series) 1987 - Episode #1.2 (1987) ... Waiter The Kenny Everett Television Show (TV Series) Various 1982-1985 Cannon and Ball (TV Series) 1984 Barman Q6 (TV Series) 1975 Various Characters Sykes and A... (TV Series) 4 episodes 1960-1964 Citizen James (TV Series) 8 episodes 1960-1962 Hancock's Half Hour (TV Series) Alec appeared in 23 Episodes, notably as the young juror in 12 Angry Men, The New Nose (1959) as 1st Man at Bus Stop and Air Steward Hancock (1957) as Pilot on Plane.

Rolf also appeared in the Hancock’s Half Hour episode ‘Grandad’s SOS’ playing a Barman.

He rarely acted, being mainly known for the songs ‘Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport’ and ‘Two Little Boys’, and later for presenting TV shows ‘Rolf’s Cartoon Club’ 1989-1993, ‘Animal Hospital’ 1994-2004 and ‘Rolf on Art’ 2001-2007.

In 2014, Harris was jailed for five years and nine months following his conviction for historic sexual abuse.

Romany Jones (TV Series) / Yus My Dear (TV Series) 1972-75, 1976 Wally Briggs The Vault of Horror 1973 Gravedigger (segment "Bargain in Death") Steptoe & Son (Movie) 1972 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 1968 Till Death Us Do Part (TV Series) 1967 - Till Closing Time Us Do Part (1967) ... Arthur Frankie Howerd (TV Series) 1964-1966 Sykes and A... (TV Series) 1960-1964 Various characters in 8 episodes Ladies Who Do 1963 Mr. Merryweather The Army Game (TV Series) 1959-1960 Basher / 'Basher' Briggs / Senior Choir Boy Two Way Stretch Fred 1960 He appeared in 15 Hancock’s Half Hour episodes, notably The East Cheam Centenary ... Head of British Peanut Corporation, Ericson the Viking ... 3rd Viking, The Lawyer: The Crown v James S. ... PC Trubshaw In 1978 with Hilda Baker he sang a version of ‘You're the One That I Want’ which entered the Charts. Despite his alleged acts of extreme domestic violence and child sexual abuse against her his daughter nursed him in his dotage. He wrote an autobiography, Oh, Yus, It's Arthur Mullard.

Stanley also appeared in ‘Sykes and a Holiday’ and ‘Sykes and a Brave Deed’ in 1960.


John Vere 1915-1961 (Vicar)

Evelyn Lund Died 1968 (Mayoress)

Bert Simms 1884-1972 (Mayor)

Frank Littlewood 1904-1976 (Dignitary)

Manville Tarrant 1914-1959 (Possible Dignitary)

(Photo’s above from The Lawyer & Air Steward Hancock)

Steptoe and Son (TV Series) 1965 - My Old Man's a Tory (1965) ... Miss Bromley Sykes and a… 6 episodes 1960-1964 The Avengers - 3.6 November Five 1963 Maigret – ‘The reluctant Witness’– Madame Lachaume 1962 Citizen James – Crusty Bread, The Race 1960-1961 Hancock’s Half Hour – East Cheam Centenary, The Cruise, There’s an Airfield at the Bottom of My Garden (Viola player), Air Steward Hancock (passenger) Lost Hancock’s Half Hour episodes – The Servants, Matrimony Almost, Grandad’s SOS, The Amusement Arcade, The Great Detective and Lady Chatterley’s Revenge.

Doomwatch 1970-1971 The Iron Doctor - Patient Invasion - Man Oh Brother! 9 episodes 1969-70 Doctor Who 1968 Web of Fear episode 1 - Dead Newspaper Seller Comedy Playhouse 1965-1966 – Seven Year Hitch (1966) Grandpa – Barnaby Spoot & the Exploding Whoopee Cushion Z Cars 1963 – Alarm Call (1963) Old Man The Avengers 1962 – The Mauritius Penny (1962) Bidder Night of the Demon 1957 Lab assistant Bert also appeared in The Goodies & Doctor in the House

The Power Game – The Crunch (1966) Sir George Kell 1966 Steptoe & Son – Crossed Swords (1965) 1965 Sykes and A… 1960-1964 - Sykes and a… Cold, Sykes and a… Marriage, Sykes and an Uncle Bootsie & Snudge – How to win friends (1961) – Colonel Medicott 1961 The Battle of the River Plate – Man in news office 1956 Little Red Monkey – Inspector May 1955 The Quatermass Experiment (TV Series) 1953 - Persons Reported Missing (1953) ... Comet Passenger Hancock’s Half Hour episodes include: The East Cheam Centenary, The Missing page (Man in library), The Tycoon, The Big Night and The Cruise. (He can be glimpsed just behind Tony’s left elbow in the photo of the church hall gathering of ‘The Friends of Coalport’)

Manville may not have appeared in ‘The Flight of The Red Shadow’, he is not listed in the cast on the original script, but the IMDB lists him. Nevertheless, he appeared in little else other than Hancock’s Half Hour, sadly he passed away before the series ended. Those episodes that exist in the archive have been noted with symbols above.

Hancock's Half Hour (TV Series) 1956-1959 John appeared in 23 episodes, notably The Set That Failed (1959) ... The man upstairs, Ericson the Viking (1958) ... Saxon King, There's an Airfield at the Bottom of My Garden (1957) ... Vicar, The Lawyer: The Crown v James S. (1957) ... Prosecuting counsel and - Air Steward Hancock (1957) ... Airline official Dixon of Dock Green (TV Series) 1955-1957 - Notice to Quit (1957) ... Mr. Holliday - False Alarm (1957) ... Mr. Moxey - Needle in a Haystack (1955) ... Mr. Medhurst The Tony Hancock Show (TV Series) Various Characters 1956-1957 - The Odd Job Man (1957) ... Various Characters - Napoleon and Josephine (1957) ... Various Characters - Weather or Not (1956) ... Various Characters - The Further Adventures of Hancock (1956) ... Various Characters - Honneur et fidélite (1956) ... Various Characters - Hancock: The Man of the Moment (1956) ... Various Characters - Also: Episode’s #1.1–1.6 (1956) ... Various Characters BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (TV Series) 1950-1956 Menelaus / Mr. Calthrop / Marshall / ... 17 episodes John was gay and sadly took his own life in Bournemouth in 1961.


Harry Drew (Colonel)

Anna Churcher 1912-1981 and Eve Wynne (Dignitaries)

Possibly Con Courtney 1891-1959 (Dignitary)

Guy Mills 1898-1962 (Maharajah)

James Bulloch (Prison Governor)

Alan Simpson 1929-2017 (Warder)

Hancock’s Half Hour 1957-1959 - Air Steward Hancock (1957) ... Passenger The other 6 episodes he appeared in are all lost. Our Mutual Friend (TV Series) 1958 Television Playwright (TV Series) 1958 - A Game for Eskimos (1958) Pride and Prejudice (TV Series) 1958

This Sporting Life – Man in Pub 1963 Carry On Constable – Constable 1960 Dracula – Coach Driver 1958 They Can’t Hang Me – Brown’s Driver 1955 BBC Sunday Night Theatre (2 episodes) 1954-1955 Danger Man 1961 Series 1: ‘Name, Date and Place’ – Dead Man The Four Just Men (TV Series) 1959-1960 Various characters The Invisible Man 1959 Series 2: The Rocket - Policeman The White Trap – Detective 1959

Ghost Squad – Series 1 Assassin – Court Official 1961 The Rebel – Art Gallery Patron 1960 A Night to Remember – Dignitary at launching 1958 Hancock’s Half Hour 1957-1959 – Air Steward Hancock (Passenger) Also in the lost episodes: Underpaid! or, Grandad's SOS and The Pianist Quatermass and the Pit (TV Mini-Series) 1958 - The Halfmen

Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em 1973 - The Hospital Visit …Dr Roberts Oh Brother! (TV Series) …3 episodes 1968-1970 Sykes and A... Mountain 1965 Steptoe & Son – And afterwards at – Uncle Herbert 1965 Citizen James 1960-1961 – Teenagers, - The Brand Image and one other episode Hancock’s Half Hour 1956-1960 20 Episodes, including: The East Cheam Centenary, Sid in Love, The Missing Page (Man in Library), The Tycoon, The Big Night, The Cruise, Twelve Angry Men, The Knighthood and Air Steward Hancock.

Anna Churcher: Emergency Ward 10 – Theatre Sister 1963 Maigret – Liberty Bar (1960) Female secretary 1960 Hancock’s Half Hour – The Poison Pen Letters – Mrs Tribe 1959-1960 History of Mr Polly – Episode 1.1 1959 Eve Wynne: Father, Dear Father in Australia (TV Series) 1978 - Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (1978)…Lily Homicide (TV Series) – Various parts 1967-1975 The Godfathers (TV series) – Mrs Parsons 1971-1972

Comedy Playhouse (TV Series) 1963 - Shamrot (1963) ... 1st Irishman Sykes and A... (TV Series) 1962 - Sykes and a Gamble (1962) The Siege of Sidney Street 1960 Uniformed Police Inspector Hancock's Half Hour (TV Series) 1956-1959 - The Wrong Man, The Beauty Contest ... Dance Hall Attendant, The Amusement Arcade ... Teddy Boy 5, Lady Chatterley's Revenge ... 1st Man, The Radio Show ... Corporal, The Dancer ... Floor Manager As writer of the shows, Alan (and Ray to a lesser extent) often had a cameo as an extra, and occasionally had a line or two of dialogue. However, all of the Hancock episodes featuring him as a specific character are lost.



Into the Archive

Archivist Tim Elms dips into the THAS collectionOne of the joys of being appointed THAS archivist is that, as I set upon my task of cataloguing theitems that have been collected by the Society over the years, or donated to us by generousmembers, I get to look at the various pieces of historical interest and memorabilia and decide whatI am going to take along to the next display so that members can see for themselves. A part of thearchive that I have been looking at recently, and logging details on our database, is our collectionof autographs.

I am not sure whether people collect modern day autographs in the way that the signatures of thestars were cherished in days gone by, which is a shame because they help tell the story of oursocial history. Unfortunately, I have not yet come across a verified autograph of Hancock in ourarchive. We do however have a signed letter that he sent to a friend which is genuine and evenbetter. Many sellers on eBay and elsewhere claim to have an autograph of The Lad but many ofthese have no authenticity. Hancock was famous for being disorganised in his personal life anddid not respond to the piles of fan mail he received. When his staff did manage to take control of it,it is said that they learnt to copy his signature and send them out to his legion of fans. This prac-tice was not unique to Hancock, and in the trade these signatures are known as secretarials. Thebest autographs to look for are ones from the early part of his career, perhaps signed at the stagedoor, maybe on a theatre programme, possibly with a short message addressed to the fan whoobtained it.

Thankfully, autographs from members of Hancock’s supporting cast are easier to come acrossand if you want to start a collection, this is where to start. Members who have attended our annualdinners over the years will have had to chance to get signatures from a variety of honoured guestsand some of the autographs in our collection are on the back of Bournemouth dinner menus! I’llbring a selection of autographs to this year’s dinner in May.

Do let us know about any autographs you have and, if you are coming to Bournemouth, bringthem along! On the next few pages are pictures of some of the autographs from our archivecollection.

Would you like to lend a hand with recording our archive material? There is no time pressure, youdon’t need to have expensive equipment or super IT skills. We just need a few members whohave a computer and a printer/scanner. My printer is a very cheap one but does the job perfectly.If you can help, please contact me.


Moira Lister

This signature of Moira Lister who appeared in series 1 of the radio version ofHancock’s half Hour comes from 1966 when Moira was due to appear in a newTV series. The photograph is an official publicity shot issued by Universal PictorialPress.


Dennis Chinnery. This autograph sheet was specially prepared for a THAS annual dinnerand Dennis Chinnery was as always very happy to sign and meet members. The imageshows Dennis in a shot from The Bowmans.


Ray Galton and Alan Simpson

Perhaps not surprisingly, we have more signatures in the archive from “the boys”than any other. Here, they have signed a programme in 1987 from a play written byRay and John Antrobus. John has also signed, and on other pages in theprogramme are cast signatures, including Suzie Blake and William Gaunt.


Annabelle Lee and Richard Carpenter

Husband and wife actors Annabelle Lee and Richard carpenter both appeared inHancock’s Half Hour. They both attended our annual dinner as honoured guests in2005 and signed this dinner menu. Actor Mike Howl signed as well.


Liz Fraser

We have a number of autographs of the lovely Liz Fraser and we think this is anearly one although we have no date for it. It’s a pity we don’t have somethingsigned by both Liz and Annabelle – Muriel and Edie!


Film Fun Annual 1960

Clearly the most striking thing about the Film Fun Annual 1960 was the picture of that wellknown Film Star Tony Hancock on the cover. You know, Tony Hancock, who by 1960 hadappeared in just the one film, Orders are Orders, back in 1955.

Despite this, Tony Hancock’s importance to Film Fun can be measured by a number of fac-tors. First and most obviously, he appears on the cover. Film Fun Annual 1960 had threetypes of stories/cartoons strips: Black and white, spot colour (that is black and white withone extra colour, in this case orange) and full colour. There are three Hancock stories in theannual, two are in full colour and the other in spot colour.

Hancock is not only on the front cover, he is also the final story.

Interestingly, some other stars of film fun didn’t have that much to do with films, TommyCooper, Harry Secombe, Frankie Howerd,.





We have to interrupt this cartoon stripat this point as the language usedalthough not unusual for the 1960’swould be considered racially offensivetoday.






@east_cheam_lad‘s Twitter round-upThe @east_cheam_lad Twitter account is growing in followers every week with over 11,000 fansshowing their love for The Lad!

There was an interesting response to a tweet about the Punch and Judy Man. @thin_as_lizzy saidthat the film was made in his hometown (Bognor Regis) and that his mum and her friend queuedfor hours to be an extra, but they were waiting for too long so gave up! Apparently, the queue wasmassive. @banktoyer did manage to be in the film as an extra. He said he was about eight at thetime and from what he can recall he was playing cricket. No doubt Hancock would have approved!

@magwitchc tweeted this excellentcaricature of Alan Bennet reading a ratherspecial book!

Hancock fans will be familiar with the episodeThe Jewel Robbery. As Sid makes hisgetaway Hancock says that the car behind isringing its bell. Sid dismisses it as a crumpetseller and Hancock says he shouldn’t thinkhe’d sell many doing 80 mph! This gag is oftensaid to the inspiration for a joke some yearslater from Morecambe and Wise when theyhear a police car’s siren and Eric says theywon’t sell much ice cream going at that speed.Another explanation was given on Twitter by@andysargent549. He says that the "sellingice creams" gag of Eric Morecambe camefrom his visit to Coventry Judo club in the '60s.A very funny guy called Ken Knight came outwith it after hearing a siren on the nearby A45,and Eric fell about laughing. He asked if hecould use it. His father witnessed it.

It’s amazing the things you learn from Twitter.For instance, did you know that the tuba usedto play the Hancock’s Half Hour theme is ondisplay in the Horniman Museum in London’sForest Hill? When things get back to normal,might be worth a visit. Thanks to@sydbolton11 for that piece of information.

Finally, for this round-up, another museum trip might be worth planning when things get back to normal.@TrevClark1958 tells us that he had a programme from the 1947 RAF Wings tour signed by The Ladwhich is now on display at Tangmere Military Aviation Museum.

If you know of any other any other Hancock items in museums across the country, do let us know!

That’s all for now, stay safe and put on another episode of H-H-Hancock’s Half Hour!



Funny Ha Ha80 of the funniest stories ever writ-ten, selected and introduced bycomedian and broadcasterPaul Merton.

'Anybody who dips into Funny Ha,Ha [...] will emerge many hours lat-er filled not only with pleasure anddelight, but also with a sense ofgratitude to Merton for choosing sowell' The Times.

'Comprehensively joyful ... Somestories are, as promised, funny haha. Others are funny peculiar. Manyare just plain witty. How are they allarranged? Alphabetically, by author,which is an entirely illogical logicand, as it turns out, perfect for thiseclectic treasure chest' SundayTimes.

'As you might expect from as singu-lar a comic talent as Paul Merton,this compilation of his favourite fun-ny stories offers material both hilari-ous and unusual' Guardian.

'A mixture of old favourites [...] andnew discoveries ... You're bound tofind stories that put a smile on yourface' Daily Mirror.

'Poignant as well as funny ... There are plenty of belly laughs ... Whatever your taste in humour, the book isso vast you are bound to find stories to put a smile on your face' Sunday Express.

'Extremely funny ... [An] eclectic, wide-ranging anthology' Sunday Times.

'Easy to dip in and out of' Scotsman.

'Such gems that they are well worth another outing ... The book does indeed have its charms' Herald.

'Whether it's the silly, surreal, slapstick or satirical that tickles your funny bone, there's a tale here to suit inthis chunky collection of 80 funny short stories' This England.


Tony Hancock's brother Colin.

Edited from Chapter 7 A Stickler for Exactitude……Hancock`s Half Hour had an episode in which Tony Hancock is a test pilot. Just beforeHancock takes a new aeroplane up to 2,400mph, the control tower tells him that a mechan-ic has gone missing and they fear sabotage so he should land immediately. The aircraft isperforming so well that Hancock decides to press on but suddenly there is a knockingsound. The moment when he slides open the canopy and mechanic Kenneth Williams says`Good Evening` is priceless. `I was working on the tail when you suddenly took off. Itain`t half cold out here – can I come in? `.Tony Hancock was one of Britain`s greatest comedians, achieving immortality with halfhour epics like The Blood Donor and The Radio Ham. He took his own life in Sydney in1968, aged 44. Tony Hancock was in the RAF Regiment during the war. He had an olderbrother who also served in the RAF at the same time as Colin Curtis.Hancock`s older brother was also called Colin. He was also a Pilot Officer in the Royal AirForce Volunteer Reserve. He also died when his aircraft crashed into the sea in 1942. Hewas also never found and has no grave.Colin William Hancock was six years older than his brother Tony. He was one of the fourcrew of a Lockheed Hudson (N1960) that took off just before 7pm on the evening of1stSeptember 1942. The aircraft, from 269 Squadron then based at Kaldadarnes in Iceland,was tasked to sweep an area for German U-boat submarines. After more than four hours, itwas known that the aircraft had completed its mission. At 23.39, the crew was heard on theradio about 25 miles south of Reykjanes asking for a bearing back to base. They later putout a distress call.The Hudson and its crew were never heard or seen again. Another Hudson which took offto search for Colin Hancock and his colleagues also failed to return. With the crew of thataircraft was a well known war artist, Captain Eric William Ravilious.In one of the notes that Tony Hancock left before taking his life 26 years after his brotherwas killed, he wrote: `Things just seemed to go too wrong too many times”.Colin Hancock is commemorated on Panel 69 at the Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede.Coincidentally it is the same panel that bears the name of Colin Curtis and Desmond Gar-land (see above).**********Another Wellington crew member who was killed during the war and never found was the21 year old brother of Sir Bruce Forsyth. The story came to light again with the death ofthe entertainer in August 2017.John Forsyth and his crew were practising laying mines off the Scottish coast near Turn-berry in May 1943. One of the three Wellingtons ditched into the sea and the two otheraircraft went back to help with the search and rescue operation. These two aircraft collided.There were 18 aircrew in the three Wellingtons – only seven were picked up. Flt Sgt JohnForsyth-Johnson, to use the full family name, was not one of the lucky ones. Sir Bruce saidhe never forgot his brother for a moment.


Bournemouth Echo 2nd June 2009

Hancock’s tragic mumBy Ed Perkins

FAMILY: Tony Hancock at a football match in Bos-combe in 1963 with his mother, right, and second wifeFreddie

HER son may have been one of Britain’s greatest mas-ters of comedy but, ironically, Tony Hancock’s mother’slife was dogged by tragedy.Tony, of course, ended his own life in Australia in 1968at the age of just 44 but, by then, death had come knock-

ing on her door four times times before.Jack, her first husband, Tony’s comedian father, died of cancer in 1935 in the Royal Victoria Hospital,Boscombe, when Tony was only 11.She remarried on January 1 Robert Gordon Walker, 12 years her junior, but tragedy soon came knock-ing on her door again when she lost her her eldest son, Colin, during the war, in 1942. He had joinedthe RAF and was reported missing, presumed dead.In the autumn of 1959, Lily and Robert, who had, by then, a great deal of experience of running ho-tels, took over the management of the Harbour Heights Hotel in Canford Cliffs, having previouslybeen at the Talbot Hotel in Bournemouth.Within six weeks, however, Lily’s life was shattered again when her 55-year-old second husband tookhis own life at their home at Lansdowne House, Christchurch Road, Bournemouth.That day, he had been due to attend a board meeting at the hotel but failed to turn up At the inquest,Lily was supported by Tony, who arrived wearing a heavy black overcoat with the belt tucked into hispockets.When Lily was called to give evidence her comedian son, helped her to the stand and then again whenshe returned to her seat after giving evidence while sobbing into her handkerchief. Her evidence couldbarely be heard.There was no evidence that Tony’s stepfather had been depressed but the coroner said: “It is my expe-rience that these things happen.”Lily remarried a third time. Her third husband, Harry Sennett, died in 1965 at a Bournemouth nursinghome at the age of 75.Within three years her famous son, who had comforted her, so touchingly, after the suicide of her sec-ond husband, took his own life in a room in Sydney, Australia.At the time Lily was living at the Marsham Court Hotel in Bournemouth. In a note the comic left,Tony sent his love to his mother.Within two years, Lily herself passed away at a Bournemouth nursing home, aged 79, in November1969.


The Navy LarkReview by Tom Dommett

James Hurn was back in Bath with two friends anda new show - three episodes of the Navy Lark.James was joined by Richard Usher and Mark Ear-by to recreate early episodes form one of the long-est running radio shows ever. James Hurn is wellknown to readers of the Missing Page.

Richard Usher has played all the Peter Sellers rolesin a tour of the Goon Show and also appeared in Vacant Lot. Mark Earby played the parof

tsSpike Milligan in a tour of the Goon Show and also appeared in Vacant Lot. Both have

a wealth of talent and experience from TV, Radio, Stage and Film.

I have to say, although I have enjoyed the Navy Lark, I haven’t listened to that many epios-des, after this show I was totally hooked.

James Hurn was brilliant as Lesley Phillips and Jon Pertwee. It really was like having themin the room. I recon James could have convinced Leslie Phillips himself that it was himspeaking. Surely James is the modern Peter Sellers.

Richard Usher and Mark Earby threw themselves into their roles with total commitment andwere utterly believable as Denis Price, Ronnie Barker and others. There was a fourth mem-ber of the cast, Linda Hargreaves who played the part of Wren Heather Chasen, but her partswere pre-recorded.

Being a live show, there were a couple of fluffed lines and one missed sound effect, but theaudience found these delightfully funny and the cast ad-libbed superbly to get even morelaughs.

A huge amount of credit must go to Sally L Davey, the producer who was not onlyresponsible for a wonderful production but who was the driving force behind this, the firstever stage show of the Navy Lark. Sally has worked closely with the Navy Lark Apprecia-tion Society.

The biggest surprise for me was the absolute freshness of the scripts. Well written, veryfunny and still relevant. No wonder the Navy Lark originally ar n for 17 years on radio. Sit-ting next to me were two women in their 20’s and their mum, all thre

e

laughing their heads off.

Unfortunately, the tour like so many other shows has had to be postponed due to the currentcoronavirus crisis but when it resumes, I urge you all to get a ticket, and get some for yourfamily and friends.


This extract from Jeremy Hardy speaks volumes perhaps expresses the pressure Tony Hancock sometimefelt. I remember one interview where Tony asked plaintively, don’t you think you sometimes ask a bit toomuch? This is entitl de the best joke ever, perhaps it applies to the best sitcom ever. There were no TV star role models for Hancock, he was t he comedy and TV equivalent of an astronaut.

Documents

The BONUS PAGES Pages/Issue 17... · 2020-03-28 · The Flight of the Red Shadow: In Detail By Jonathan Street The Flight of the Red Shadow was broadcast live on 23rd January 1959