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Duncan Wood
Wilfred Duncan Wood (24 March 1925 – 11 January 1997) was a British comedy producer, director and writer, who has been described as "the founding father of the British TV sitcom". His best-known achievements were to produce all of Tony Hancock's Hancock's Half Hour, ''Half Hours'' for BBC TV during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and later, also with Hancock's former writers Galton and Simpson, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, the sitcom ''Steptoe and Son'' for most of its run. From 1970 to 1973, he was the BBC's Head of Comedy. He left in 1973 to become Head of Light Entertainment at ITV Yorkshire, Yorkshire Television and was responsible for commissioning ''Rising Damp''. Life and career Born in Bristol, he trained with the BBC as an outside broadcast engineer, before serving in south east Asia with the Royal Signals during the Second World War. He returned to the BBC in 1948, working on the 1948 Olympics, Olympic Games, and in the early 1950s started working as a producer ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tony Hancock
Anthony John Hancock (12 May 1924 – 25 June 1968) was an English comedian and actor. High-profile during the 1950s and early 1960s, he had a major success with his BBC series ''Hancock's Half Hour'', first broadcast on radio from 1954, then on television from 1956, in which he soon formed a strong professional and personal bond with comic actor Sid James. Although Hancock's decision to cease working with James, when it became known in early 1960, disappointed many at the time, his last BBC series in 1961 contains some of his best-remembered work (including " The Blood Donor" and "The Radio Ham"). After breaking with his scriptwriters Ray Galton and Alan Simpson later that year, his career declined. Early life and career Hancock was born in Southam Road, Hall Green, Birmingham (then in Warwickshire), but, from the age of three, he was brought up in Bournemouth (then in Hampshire), where his father, John Hancock, who ran the Railway Hotel in Holdenhurst Road, worked as ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Workers' Playtime (radio Programme)
''Workers' Playtime'' was a British radio variety programme transmitted by the BBC between 1941 and 1964. Originally intended as a morale-booster for industrial workers in Britain during World War II, the programme was broadcast at lunchtime, three times a week, live from a factory canteen "somewhere in Britain". Initially, it was broadcast simultaneously on both the BBC Home Service and Forces Programme, then from 1957 onwards solely on the Light Programme. For all its 23 years each show concluded with the words from the show's producer, Bill Gates: "Good luck, all workers!" The programme had the support of the government because the shows were seen as supporting the war effort on the home front. ''Workers' Playtime'' was a touring show, with the Ministry of Labour choosing which factory canteens it would visit. Throughout World War II, Ernest Bevin, the Minister of Labour and National Service, would appear on these shows from time to time to congratulate the workers and exh ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Bed-Sit Girl
''The Bed-Sit Girl'' is a British television sitcom that aired on BBC1 from 1965 to 1966. Created by Chesney and Wolfe for Sheila Hancock, ''The Bed-Sit Girl'' aired for two series. Hancock played Sheila Ross, a typist who lives in a bedsit and wishes for more in life. In the first series, Dilys Laye played her air hostess neighbour Dilys, and in the second Hy Hazell played Sheila's friend Liz. Derek Nimmo also appeared as her neighbour and boyfriend David in Series Two. All twelve episodes are believed lost. Production ''The Bed-Sit Girl'' was created by writing duo Ronald Chesney and Ronald Wolfe for Sheila Hancock, who had starred in their 1961–1963 sitcom ''The Rag Trade''. The producer for the first series was Duncan Wood while for the second series it was Graeme Muir. ''The Bed-Sit Girl'' was made in black-and-white. Cast *Sheila Hancock - Sheila Ross *Dilys Laye - Dilys ''(series 1)'' *Hy Hazell - Liz ''(series 2)'' *Derek Nimmo - David ''(series 2)'' Plot Sheila Ro ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hugh And I
''Hugh and I'' is a black-and-white British sitcom that aired from 1962 to 1967. It starred Terry Scott and Hugh Lloyd as two friends who shared lodgings with Terry's mother and was followed by a sequel called ''Hugh and I Spy''. The two actors had previously worked together on stage for many years. ''Hugh and I'' was written by John T. Chapman with additional material from John Junkin. Music was by Wally Stott. The first five series were produced by David Croft. Only 28 episodes are thought to survive: (see wiping). In November 2016, an episode of the sixth series (S6 Ep3 'Beau Jesters') was returned after many years believed lost. In July 2017 the episode 'The Girl on the Poster' was returned by BBC South producer and presenter Richard Latto. In December 2021 two episodes of the fifth series (S5 Ep9 'It's In The Stars' and S5 Ep10 'Huntin' Shootin' and Fishin') were recovered by Kaleidoscope, having been purchased from a private collector on Ebay. Cast *Terry Scott – Hi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Citizen James
''Citizen James'' is a BBC sitcom that ran for three series between 24 November 1960 and 23 November 1962. The show featured comedian and actor Sid James and Sydney Tafler with Bill Kerr and Liz Fraser appearing in early episodes. It was initially written by the comedy writing team of Galton and Simpson, who based the characters very much on the "Sidney Balmoral James" and "Bill Kerr, the dim-witted Australian" roles that they had played in ''Hancock's Half Hour''. The first series was set around 'Charlie's Nosh Bar', a cafe in Soho, and centred on Sid's get-rich-quick schemes. He is helped by "Billy the Kerr" and quite often frustrated by the local bookmaker Albert Welshman (Tafler). Liz Fraser played Sid's long-suffering girlfriend who has been waiting for seven years for Sid to set the date. Changes were made to the format after the first series. Sid James' character was changed to be something of a people's champion, campaigning for social justice. Bill Kerr and Liz Fraser ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Graham McCann
Graham McCann is a British author and historian who has written extensively on film and television stars and British comedy series. He is a former lecturer and fellow at the University of Cambridge where he taught social and political theory. McCann has become noted for his biographies on figures such as Cary Grant, Marilyn Monroe, John Le Mesurier, Woody Allen and Terry-Thomas, and books about British television comedy such as ''Dad's Army'', ''Yes, Minister'', ''Only Fools and Horses'' and ''Fawlty Towers''. He also contributes to various newspapers. Teaching career McCann earned a doctorate at Cambridge University and, before becoming a full-time writer, was a fellow and lecturer in social and political theory at King's College, Cambridge. Among his fields of expertise is American culture, and in 1993 he lectured on "Aspects of American Culture" at the university. He also taught in the university's continuing education programme, primarily in the subject of the history of Brit ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Alan Simpson (scriptwriter)
Alan Francis Simpson (27 November 1929 – 8 February 2017) was an English scriptwriter, best known for the Galton and Simpson comedy writing partnership with Ray Galton. Together they devised and wrote the BBC sitcom ''Hancock's Half Hour'' (1954–1961), the first two series of ''Comedy Playhouse'' (1961–1963), and ''Steptoe and Son'' (1962–1974). Early life Simpson was born in Brixton, south London, and was educated at Mitcham County Grammar School for Boys. He was a football fan and supported Brentford. After leaving school he worked as a shipping clerk and was a member of a church concert party. He contracted tuberculosis aged 17 in 1947 and was admitted to Milford Sanatorium near Godalming in Surrey, where he spent 13 months. How we met, Alan Simpso ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ray Galton
Raymond Percy Galton (17 July 1930 – 5 October 2018) was an English radio and television scriptwriter, best known for the Galton and Simpson comedy writing partnership with Alan Simpson. Together they devised and wrote 1950s and 60s BBC sitcoms including ''Hancock's Half Hour'' (1954–1961), the first two series' of ''Comedy Playhouse'' (1961–1963), and ''Steptoe and Son'' (1962–1974). Early life Galton was born in Paddington, West London, and after leaving school he worked for the Transport and General Workers Union. He contracted tuberculosis aged 18 in 1948 and was admitted to Milford Sanatorium near Godalming in Surrey, where he met fellow patient Alan Simpson. Galton and Simpson Later career Alan Simpson retired from scriptwriting in 1978 to concentrate on his business interests. Galton then often worked with Johnny Speight on scripts, including '' Spooner's Patch'' (1979–1982) about a corrupt police station. He also wrote scripts for sitcoms produced in Germa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ken Dodd
Sir Kenneth Arthur Dodd (8 November 1927 – 11 March 2018) was an English comedian, singer and occasional actor. He was described as "the last great music hall entertainer", and was primarily known for his live stand-up performances. A lifelong resident of Knotty Ash in Liverpool, Dodd's career as an entertainer started in the mid-1950s. His performances included rapid and incessant delivery of often surreal jokes, and would run for several hours, frequently past midnight. His verbal and physical comedy was supplemented by his red, white and blue "tickling stick" prop, and often introduced by his characteristic upbeat greeting of "How tickled I am!" He interspersed the comedy with songs, both serious and humorous, and with his original speciality, ventriloquism. He also had several hit singles primarily as a ballad singer in the 1960s, and occasionally appeared in dramatic roles. He performed on radio and television, and popularised the characters of the Diddy Men. He wa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Frankie Howerd
Francis Alick Howard (6 March 1917 – 19 April 1992), better known by his stage-name Frankie Howerd, was an English actor and comedian. Early life Howerd was born the son of soldier Francis Alfred William (1887–1934)England & Wales, Death Index: 1916–2005 and Edith Florence Howard (née Morrison, 1888–1962), at the City Hospital in York, England, in 1917 (not 1922 as he later claimed). His mother worked at the Rowntree's chocolate factory. For his first two and a half years, Howerd lived in a terraced house at 53, Hartoft Street. He described it as "a poorish area of the city near the River Ouse". He later said he had only one memory of living in York and that was of falling down the stairs, an experience which left him with a life-long dread of heights. He returned to York on many occasions for family holidays, however, and later in life spoke of his fondness for the city. His family moved to Eltham, London when he was a young child, and he was educated at Shooter' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Great Scott - It's Maynard!
''Great Scott - It's Maynard!'' was a British television series which aired on the BBC from 1955 to 1956. It was a popular comedy sketch series starring Bill Maynard and Terry Scott, with musical guests including Petula Clark. It was produced by Duncan Wood, and written by Lewis Schwarz, Eric Merriman, Dave Freeman and Johnny Speight.{{Cite web, url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/e51bf830b643455982e2a32bade66fc0, title=Great Scott It's Maynard, date=October 4, 1955, issue=1664, pages=26, via=BBC Genome Although telerecording existed, none of the episodes are known to remain in the BBC archives. Cast *Terry Scott *Bill Maynard *Shirley Eaton *Hugh Lloyd *Pat Coombs *Marie Benson *Gary Wayne *Dennis Chinnery Dennis Chinnery (14 May 1927 – 29 February 2012) was a British actor, noted for his performances in television. Following National service in the navy, he studied acting at RADA, graduating in 1949. His theatre work included appearances at t ... *The Coronets References ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sketch Show
Sketch comedy comprises a series of short, amusing scenes or vignettes, called "sketches", commonly between one and ten minutes long, performed by a group of comic actors or comedians. The form developed and became popular in vaudeville, and is used widely in variety shows, comedy talk shows, and some sitcoms and children's television series. The sketches may be improvised live by the performers, developed through improvisation before public performance, or scripted and rehearsed in advance like a play. Sketch comedians routinely differentiate their work from a "skit", maintaining that a skit is a (single) dramatized joke (or "bit") while a sketch is a comedic exploration of a concept, character, or situation. definition 3b, Merriam-Webster online. Retrieved 5/4/2019 History Sketch comedy has its origins in |
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