Some of the many records wholly dedicated to, and featuring, the lad himself. Unfortunately most, if not all, have now been discontinued. You can still find them about, second-hand, if you look hard enough. So keep those minces peeled!

Published between 1980 & 84
Hancock's Half Hour - Five record collection. This set of five records was released over a four year period, and are very distinguishable, in no small part, due to Michael Lye's illustrations. All of which, I must add, are just great. I have a particular fondness for the depiction's of Hancock, Kenneth and Sid on the cover of REB 423 and of Hancock by himself on REB 526. Altogether a great set to keep an eye out for - and all of which can still be found, second-hand, reasonably easily. All the shows featured on these LPs are substantially complete, feature Tony Hancock and Sid James and were produced by Tom Ronald. Other (most significant) cast members can be seen listed after each show synopsis.
 
BBC Records
Hancock's Half Hour (Vol. 1) - First published Nov 1980
REB 394
Click here - to see the BBC cassettes release of this LP

For the sleeve notes, on the back cover of this LP, click here

Side One - First broadcast 24 Nov 1959

Sid's Mystery Tours - Sid talks Hancock into becoming the director of his guided tours company - which doesn't even own a coach.

With: Bill Kerr, Warren Michell, Errol McKinnon and Mavis Villers

Side Two - First broadcast 8 Dec 1959

The Poetry Society - A poetry evening with a group of Hancock's new avant-garde friends produces gems of abstract poetry, not only from the group but from Sid and Bill.

With: Bill Kerr, Warren Michell, Fenella Fielding and Fraser Kerr

 

Hancock's Half Hour (Vol. 2) - First published Oct 1981
BBC Records
Click here - to see the BBC cassettes release of this LP
REB 423

Side 1 - First broadcast 18 Mar 1958

The Americans Hit Town - When the US Air Force sets up a base in Cheam, Hancock joins the rush to rent them rooms at exorbitant prices; but the sudden appearance of a Council Inspector forces them to masquerade as unexploited Yanks...

With: Hattie Jacques, Bill Kerr, Kenneth Wiliams and Jerry Stovin

Side 2 - First broadcast 25 Feb 1958

The Unexploded Bomb - An unexploded bomb is discovered in Hancock's cellar - to the delight of Sid, who wants the site as a used car lot.

With: Hattie Jacques, Bill Kerr, Kenneth Wiliams and Alan Simpson

For the sleeve notes, on the back cover of this LP, click here

BBC Records
Hancock's Half Hour (Vol. 3) - First published Oct 1982
REB 451
Click here - to see the BBC cassettes release of this LP

Side 1 - First broadcast 28 Jan 1958

The Scandal Magazine - 'Blabbermouth', a scandal magazine run by Sid James, features an exposé of Hancock's supposed carryings on with a cigarette girl. Hancock sues.

With: Hattie Jacques, Bill Kerr, Kenneth Williams and John Vere

Side 2 - First broadcast 24 Feb 1957

Last of the McHancocks - Left a castle in Scotland by an uncle, Hancock is force to defend his claim to it in a Highland Games contest against Seamus McNasty an Bonnie Prince Sidney.

With: Hattie Jacques, Bill Kerr, Kenneth Williams and James Robertson Justice

 

Hancock's Half Hour (Vol. 4) - First published Autumn 1983
BBC Records
Click here - to see the BBC cassettes release of this LP
REB 485

Side One - First broadcast 3 Jun 1958

The Sleepless Night - Hancock intends to get a good night's sleep, but events - and the other occupants of he house - keep him awake all night.

With: Bill Kerr, Hattie Jacques and Kenneth Williams

Side Two - First broadcast 10 Nov 1959

Fred's Pie Stall - Fred's Pie Stall, which has stood in Cheam square for sixty years, is threatened with closure by the council - until Hancock sets out to save it...

With: Bill Kerr, Wilfred Babbage, Hugh Morton and Harry Towb

BBC Records
Hancock's Half Hour (Vol. 5) - First published Autumn 1984
REB 526
Click here - to see the BBC cassettes release of this LP

Side One - First broadcast 13 May 1958

Hancock's War - Hancock impresses the Vicar with tales of his exploits in Military Intelligence - including his escape from a prisoner-of-war camp and his arrival in Berlin just before the Russians.

With: Bill Kerr, Hattie Jacques and Kenneth Williams

Side Two - First broadcast 22 Dec 1959

The Christmas Club - When Sid accidentally gives the slate money to the Police Benevolent Fund, he faces a Christmas of starvation.

With: Wilfred Babbage, Hugh Morton and Frank Partington

 

Sleeve notes for Hancock's Half Hour (Vol. 1) (REB 394)

Between the years of 1954 and 1961 the BBC Broadcast 101 radio episodes and 59 television episodes of Hancock's Half Hour. 80 hours featuring one of the greatest comic talents ever to emerge from this country. By the time he died prematurely in 1968 at the age of 44, he had become the best loved and most popular of our post war comedians. In the profession he was particularly admired by his peers for his consummate artistry and craftsmanship, an acknowledged master of his art. His timing and delivery are today still an object lesson to anybody setting out on the same path.
The two episodes on this record have been taken from the last radio series he ever made - both being recorded within 3 days of each other in June 1959. It is interesting to note that the actor playing the lisping patronising pseudo - intellectual pouf Gregory on the A side was some years later to find fame as the foul mouthed ignorant East End fascist pig Alf Garnett. Yes, the same brilliant Warren Mitchell. You have to be versatile in this game.
As in all the radio shows Tony is admirably supported by Sid James and Bill Kerr - two colonials from South Africa and Australia respectively, who came to this country after the war to seek their fame and fortune. Nobody told them that with our tax system you can only do one of those things. Sid, after a tremendously successful career on both films and television died in harness on stage in Newcastle in 1976. We understand that Bill has now returned to his native land. If he reads these sleeve notes - come home Billy, all is forgiven!

RAY GALTON AND ALAN SIMPSON

Sleeve notes for Hancock's Half Hour (Vol. 2) (REB 423)

These recordings of Hancock's Half Hour bring together the classic lineup of Tony, Bill, Sid, Hattie and Kenneth and are taken from the 5th Radio Series made in 1958 and transmitted on the BBC Light Programme.
On television, at this time, Tony Hancock had just completed his 3rd Series and a 4th Series was broadcast in the first three months in 1959.
As ever the scripts are brilliantly written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, who by the end of their association with Tony had written over 100 radio and 50 TV shows for him.
When Hancock's Half Hour started in 1954 the BBC maintained that the programme was the first non-domestic situation comedy anywhere in the world that went on for thirty minutes without musical interruptions.

Railway Cuttings is the first Web site to contain this information, in detail and with pictures. The most comprehensive collection of Hancock related records anywhere on the Web, so far!
All five of the above LPs were made and printed in England - Manufactured and distributed by PRT Ltd.
You can see the official BBC audio tape releases of this set by clicking this link - Hancock's Half Hour - The BBC set
You can see the Quality 747 Variety audio tape releases of this set by clicking this link - Hancock's Half Hour - The 747 set

This long player should be easy to find. Indeed you may trip over one. So mind your step!
This long player can be found, but you may have to look harder, it won't just fall into your lap!

This long player is very difficult to find. If you do find a copy relatively easily, then you were lucky!

 

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