Hancock's Half Hour: The Marriage Bureau: A lost episode of the classic radio comedy & more

One of the lost episodes of Hancock's Half Hour, "The Marriage Bureau," has been found and is now available for the first time since its original broadcast in 1955. The episode features a unique appearance from Peter Sellers, standing in for Kenneth Williams. The discovery is accompanied by a documentary, "Raiders of the Lost Archive," that discusses the work of locating and restoring missing radio classics. Additionally, a surviving extract from the lost episode, "The New Year Resolutions," and a previously unreleased documentary, "H-H-H-Happy Birthday Hancock," are also included. The program is a treasure trove of classic British comedy.

Format: CD-Audio
Publication date: 01 June 2023
Publisher: BBC Audio, A Division Of Random House

The BBC Radio series "Hancock's Half Hour" was a beloved comedy that ran for 102 episodes between 1954 and 1959. However, over 20 shows were lost, including one of the most sought-after episodes, "The Marriage Bureau." Fortunately, this lost gem has been rediscovered, and it features a unique appearance from the legendary Peter Sellers, standing in for Kenneth Williams. The episode, which was originally broadcast in 1955, sees Hancock searching for a job and a wife, with Sellers providing a memorable supporting role.

In addition to the rediscovered episode, this release includes a fascinating documentary titled "Raiders of the Lost Archive." The documentary features Keith Wickham, known as the Indiana Jones of archiving, and fellow treasure-hunters discussing the thrilling and complex work of locating and restoring missing radio classics. Wickham and his team have been instrumental in preserving many forgotten episodes of classic shows, and their efforts are showcased in this documentary.

Furthermore, this release includes a surviving extract from the lost "Hancock's Half Hour" episode, "The New Year Resolutions." This episode was never broadcast due to a technical issue, but it has been restored and is now available for the first time. Additionally, there is a previously unreleased documentary titled "H-H-H-Happy Birthday Hancock." Presented by Andrew Sachs, the documentary pays affectionate tribute to the late Tony Hancock with contributions from Denis Norden, Ray Galton, Alan Simpson, John Freeman, and Sid James.

The release of "Hancock's Half Hour: The Lost Episode and Raiders of the Lost Archive" is a significant milestone in the history of radio comedy. It not only provides a glimpse into the past but also showcases the dedication and expertise of those who work tirelessly to preserve and restore these lost treasures. This release is a must-have for fans of classic comedy and radio enthusiasts alike.

Weight: 104g
Dimension: 142 x 125 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529900620
Edition number: Unabridged ed