Comedy Greats

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BBC Radio 4 Extra

Comedy: Sitcoms

Decade by decade, Barry Cryer showcases the best of the BBC archive

BBC Radio 7

Comedy Greats: The 1950s: Episode 2

Episode 2

The 1950s

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Comedy Greats, The 1950s, Episode 2

Including Much Binding in the Marsh, Variety Bandbox, Hancock's Half Hour and more.

Barry Cryer showcases the best of the decade of rock 'n' roll, including Much Binding in the Marsh, Variety Bandbox, Educating Archie, Meet the Huggetts and Hancock's Half Hour.

Decade by decade, Barry Cryer showcases some of the funniest and finest shows ever broadcast by the BBC. 

Six more favourite shows plucked from the 1950s schedules of the BBC Home Service and BBC Light Programme: 

*   Much Binding in the Marsh: 
From 28/8/1953 
The Weekly Bind brings you Mr Mulch's gardening and Patience Gush's poetry. Stars Kenneth Horne, Richard Murdoch, Maurice Denham, Dora Bryan and Sam Costa. From August 1953. 

*   Variety Bandbox: 
From 22/01/1950 
Comedy and songs with Frankie Howerd, Billy Ternent, Jerry Allen, Barbara Leigh, Peter Sellers, Bill Kerr and Philip Slessor. From January 1950. 

*   Just Fancy: 
From 08/03/51 
A grumpy neighbour and a helicopter ride. Gentle sketch show starring Eric Barker and his wife Pearl Hackney. From March 1951. 

*   Educating Archie: 
From 01/03/1959 
Brough makes a bet that he and Archie Andrews can travel round the British Isles in eight days. Radio ventriloquism with Dick Emery, Bernard Bresslaw and Warren Mitchell. From March 1959. 

*   Meet The Huggetts: 
Loser Pays 
Joe and Fred's attempt to teach their wives a lesson backfires. Stars Jack Warner, Kathleen Harrison and Kenneth Connor. From September 1957. 

*   Hancock's Half Hour: 
Series 5 (7/20) Hancock's School 
Inspired by Bill and supplied by Sid, the lad turns his home into a centre of learning. Stars Tony Hancock. With Sid James, Bill Kerr, Hattie Jacques and Kenneth Williams. From March 1958. 

Produced and scripted by Peter Reed 

Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in May 2003.

Comedy Greats: The 1950s

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Barry Cryer revisits BBC radio comedy broadcast during the 1950s.

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