The MISSING PAGE THE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE APPRECIATION SOCIETY FOUNDED IN 1976 Volume 6 Number 4 - October 2014

R.I.P. BILL KERR 10 June 1922 - 28 August 2014 Top Photo: Tony Hancock, Moira Lister, Bill Kerr & - Bottom Photo: Sid James, Tony Hancock & Bill Kerr Exclusive Interview with Ray Galton and Alan Simpson * Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Hancock’s Half-Hour with a copy of the very first script FREE INSIDE!! RIP BILL KERR - A TRIBUTE by Mick Dawson Like all of us in the Society, I was saddened to hear of the death of Bill Kerr, just before my wife and I were leaving for a holiday in of all places! I am grateful to our Audio and Video Librarian Mick Dawson, who sent in this brief tribute and memory of the man, along with some photographs that were taken when Mick and his wife Ros vis- ited him in 2005.

Well Bill, the fish in the Mur- time to appreciate the measure of a I’ve still got the receipt for our beer rumbidgee River are swimming person but I like to think that we and sandwiches that we had out- more safely, the black swans on liked each other. From the moment side the Tea Rooms in Kings Park the Swan River are floating about that you picked us up in your beaten where you talked, quite naturally, with drooping heads and I swear up old car (it reminded me of some- to people making us feel “very im- that the wild flowers along the thing out of an Ealing film rather portant”. Margaret River are wilting a bit than a well-known actor’s car) we For all these memories, Bill, thanks now that the Murrumbidgee Kid got along well. You stole Ros’s heart a lot. It’s only a very small snap- from is no longer immediately just like Constance in shot in your full and interesting life with us. The Elopement way back in 1959. (but a significant one in ours) that Mind you I can tell you now that others will ameliorate. you were probably the worst driver with whom I have ever travelled. Bill and Ros Dawson pictured Driving along, in the early morn- in front of the skyline ing, you started to take the wrong exit to cross to the other side of the Swan River. No problem just swing straight back through the yellow box and push your way back into the main stream of Perth’s early morning rush hour traffic. Amid brakes squealing, horns belting out loudly and, I imagine, lots of ripe The wonderful parting memory Aussie vernacular inside the other that we have is when, at the end of cars you said “sorry kids, I don’t get the day, you drove us back and on A proud Mick Dawson and Bill Kerr to this side of the river too often”. the pavement we were giggling and Well we had to laugh which was a singing, to the amusement (or was main part of your life. You enter- it embarrassment) of the pedestri- It is nine years, practically to the tained us all day along with your ans, “We’ll meet again, don’t know day, when it was my and Ros’s priv- friends at “Storyteller Productions” where don’t know when…”. ilege to spend that unique day with (I wonder if they’re still there?). If only we could Bill, If only we could. you. I know that a day is insufficient BILL KERR 2011 WALK OF HONOUR PLAQUE by Barry C. Barnes Thanks also go to Barry C. Barnes for these photocopies of Bill’s Walk of Honour Plaque that was laid on in his old home town of Wagga Wagga. We’re sorry that they are such bad quality, but they are the best that could be reproduced from the poor photocopies that Barry sent in. The Plaque was unveiled by The Mayor of Wagga Wagga Wayne Geale, on the 17th of May 2011 and in his open- ing speech he said: “The Baylis Street Walk of Honour was instigated in 1998 to recognise the substantial contributors to the City of Wagga Wagga. Bill’s contribution to the community was through his acting abilities, the arts and his famous tag line ‘The Boy from Wagga Wagga’. Through his affectionate mockery, Wagga Wagga became famous throughout Britain”

2 THE MISSING PAGE OCTOBER 2014 Volume 6 Number 4 The MISSING PAGE October 2014 IT IS NOT RAINING HERE ALSO After last issue’s shock announcement of the stepping down as President of our beloved Anthony Aloysius St. John Dan Peat, I’m pleased (and proud) to say that things Hancock are now back on an even keel with the promotion of The Lad Himself (1924 - 1968) yours truly, to that elevated position and one, where “Stone Me, What A Life!” I shall try and steer the good ship THAS onward and The basic aims of The Tony Hancock Appreciation So- ciety are to promote the works of Tony Hancock for the upward, building on the strong foundations laid down continued awareness and enjoyment of the general pub- by Dan over the past 25 years! lic and to collect and classify the recorded works of Tony Hancock for the benefit of members. No active individual I’m fortunate in having a strong committee to work with me (listed opposite) and hope receives payment for service to the Society, which is a voluntary organization. All members details and infor- that some of you lot might like to get more involved, by applying for some of the vacan- mation are covered under The Data Protection Act and cies that we have in the THAS at the moment. See the advert on page 9. cannot be used by any other than the THAS. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, Our most recent position that has become available - and the reason why this mag- stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, azine may be a little late in getting to you - is that of Membership Secretary, follow- recording or otherwise, without prior permission in writ- ing the unexpected resignation of Cyrilla Rogers, just before this issue went to press. ing of The Tony Hancock Appreciation Society. All views, comments and letters reproduced in this publication are Sadly Cyrilla has had a few setbacks in her life lately and part of her letter of resigna- entirely those of the individual author concerned and in tion reads: “I have decided that I wish to resign as Membership Secretary with immediate no way reflect the views of the general membership of the THAS. effect. I don’t seem to be able to get on top of things and as soon as I have it all goes pear- Published by The Tony Hancock Appreciation shaped again. I am sorry to let everyone down but my heart is not in it or anything else Society. www.tonyhancock.org.uk for that matter at the moment.” Having spoken to Cyrilla, I’m sure I speak for all of us in Committee Members and Officers the Society in sending her - and her late husband Ray - our heartfelt thanks for all they have done for us over the years and hope that her problems sort themselves out soon PRESIDENT & EDITOR along with enjoying better health. I also wish to apologise to any members who have Andrew Clayden 9 Roydon Road, The Maltings Business Centre, not received their magazines or answers to questions and ask that they contact me (at Stanstead Abbotts, Hertfordshire SG12 8HQ my address opposite) in order that I can deal with them. T: 01920 870355 On a happier note, I like all readers will be tuning into Radio Four at 11.30am on Friday E: [email protected] the 31st of October for the first of The Missing Hancock shows, ‘The Matador’. Imme- MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY diately after it finishes, over on BBC Radio 4 Extra at noon you can hear a directors’ * Situation Vacant * commentary as Andy Hamilton introduces the first episode of the series, stopping the To apply please contact The President action to talk to co-producer Neil Pearson and the actor charged with playing Hancock TREASURER Ken Clarke himself, Kevin McNally, about the challenges and joys of recreating a 1950s sitcom in 24 Heenan Close, Frimley Green, Camberley, 2014. Having been fortunate enough to be in the audience at some of the recordings, Surrey GU16 6NQ I’m sure we’ll be in for a treat over the next five weeks as the BBC celebrate Sixty Years E: [email protected] since the first broadcast of Hancock’s Half-Hour. So keep your ears peeled for other LOCAL EVENTS ORGANIZER and BACK Hancock related shows over the coming months! ISSUES of The Missing Page, Piltdown Glory & Railway Cuttings @ £1.10 per issue from I received a handwritten card from the show’s co-producer (and honoured guest - Keith Fisher 26 French’s Well, Horsell, Woking, along with Kevin McNally) Neil Pearson, thanking us for making him and Kevin so wel- Surrey GU21 3AS come at this year’s Bournemouth Reunion. Neil writes: “Kevin and I had a wonderful WEBSITE ADMINISTRATOR Martin Gibbons day. Many thanks for your hospitality and great good luck for the future” You can see 9 Shelley Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8NS the advert for next year’s Reunion on this issue’s back page, and we’ll be announcing E: [email protected] our honoured guests in our next issue and on our website (www.tonyhancock.org.uk). AUDIO & VIDEO LIBRARIAN Mick Dawson As you can see on our front cover and the opposite page, we were saddened to hear of 84 Meadway, Barnet, Hertfordshire EN5 5LB the passing in August of the death of Bill Kerr, who had reached the grand old age of E: [email protected] 92. It’s a shame that we never managed to fly him over to meet us all here in England, MERCHANDISING OFFICER but happy that Mick and Ros Dawson spent such an enjoyable day with him in 2005. Dryden Pennington Mick’s memories of that day (opposite page) will bring a smile to your face, which - I’m The Old Chapel, Redbridge Road, Nr. Cross- sure - is how ‘The Boy from Wagga Wagga’ would wish to be remembered. God Bless ways, Dorset DT2 8DY you Bill and thanks for the memories! E: [email protected] As this is our final issue before the Christmas festivities, it falls to me to thank all mem- OFFICIAL RESEARCHER * New Position * Lyn Phillips bers of The Tony Hancock Appreciation Society for their continued support during - 10 Whitley Grange, Old Road, Liskeard, Corn- what has been - an eventful year, to put it mildly! and to wish all readers a very merry wall PL14 6DQ Christmas and a good and peaceful New Year. Our next issue is ARCHIVIST * Situation Vacant * due out in January next year, so please send your contributions To apply please contact The President in by mid-December. Chickity Snitch!

THE MISSING PAGE OCTOBER 2014 3 Dear Bighead Hancock, I hate you and everybody down our street hates you! Letters for publication should be sent to the Editor at his address on page 2

From Lyn Phillips of Cornwall Whilst writing, I would also like to From Bob I was, as I’m sure we all were, deeply respond to Anthony Green’s letter in Naylor via saddened to learn of the passing on the last issue of The Missing Page. Email the 28th of August of Mr Bill Kerr at Mister Green is of course entitled to I have been the age of 92. I’d like to record the his opinion but I have to disagree a member following in writing because I feel it with most of what he said about both of the so- is a tribute not just to Bill, the actor THAS and the quarterly publication; ciety for but also to Bill, the man. The annual dinner is a centrepiece of many years. Un- On that dreadful day, 25th June 1968, the society’s event calendar and de- fortunately, Anthony Green’s obser- Bill was in Australia when he heard serves its full page ad to ensure eve- vations about the Missing Page and what had happened, to Tony. Despite ryone notices it and has the opportu- the THAS are of course substantially the ten-hour time difference, he rang nity to attend. correct. His comments are in fact Alan Simpson in London feeling that His idea of an interview with Messrs. true of all fanzines. Particularly so, the news should be given as a friend Galton and Simpson is actually a when the performer in question is rather than learning about it from good one if they are willing. Perhaps no longer performing. Specialist pe- the media, a thoughtful gesture that a call to members to pose questions riodicals covering almost any inter- was typical of the man. which the writers could then answer est area, always have a lot to say at Bill will be sadly missed and I am in a later issue could be arranged? their outset. Then run out of steam a few years later when almost every- sure we all send our condo- As the original perpetrator of the thing on the subject has been pretty lences and sympathies to crossword I have to say I quite enjoy well much said. his family. them. I also enjoy the Film Fun re- The Editor replies: prints (How long did this run for in As a result magazines begin to scrape the barrel and the quality and rele- The news of the sad death of Bill Kerr the original comic? Does Missing vance of what is presented becomes came just a few days before my wife Page intend to run them all?) I’ve poorer. Early editions of Railway and I flew to Australia to visit friends always thought it would be fun to Cuttings (that lovely A5 size) were and family in Sydney and Carns. Un- have new stories presented in the So- full of interesting articles and fea- fortunately, we were not able to travel ciety magazine. If there are any bud- tures, many covering the areas An- to Perth to where he lived, but - like ding writers willing to script a one thony Green highlights as absent Lyn (and the following letter) - we page effort, I -as a budding artist- from recent Missing Pages. But for send our condolences to his family and will happily give it a go at illustrat- how long can you go on regurgitating remember the wealth of talent that he ing them. the same stuff? bought to Hancock’s Half-Hour and Is THAS a spent force? I don’t think his subsequent film and television so. One of its aims is to promote Han- The H-H-HExchange & Mirth section career. cock and without the magazine I used to have lots of advertisements from people buying and selling Han- From Dave Candlish of Gateshead doubt I would have heard about the recent recording of lost stories from cock recordings and merchandise. I was saddened to read of the recent original scripts. I like the fact Miss- Today everything is readily available death of the last of the main cast in ing Page collates snippets from the on CD and DVD so the need to search Bill Kerr. I have drawn this picture of media as the chances of my catching in order to build your Hancock col- him in a ‘matinee idol’ pose, which I any articles published in the Daily lection has gone. In the last magazine hope fellow fans will like Mail or its ilk would otherwise be not a single Hancock item was adver- very slim indeed! tised. It’s difficult to appeal to everyone all The real problem of course is any pe- the time. Last issue, for Mr Green, it riodical is only as good as the people was the Lady Don’t Fall Backwards submitting articles. I appreciate how type thrillers. For me it is the cata- easy it is, to sit back contribute noth- logue of the various versions of Han- ing yourself, and then criticise those cock recordings that have been re- who are at least making an effort on leased, but the crux of the matter is; your behalf. the magazine is only as good as its’ Nevertheless the criticism is well members contributions. If you don’t founded and I think it is time to draw like it, do something about it and a halt to the paper magazine. The so- contribute to it! ciety should concentrate its efforts Hic Hac Hoc! on its web-page. Here proper news items, such as the forthcoming BBC

4 THE MISSING PAGE OCTOBER 2014 Radio 4th broadcasts of the ‘lost The Editor replies: H&RB Boardroom for a cup of tea. scripts’ can be reported, and the Can any of our readers shed any light After a few minutes, I noticed a man trivia used to fill the Missing Page, on Carolyn’s query? sitting at a table. It was Alan Simp- dispensed with. son OBE – H&RB’s President! As he From Robin Parker via Email wasn’t engaged in conversation at Bob Naylor I have been a fan of Hancock’s Half that precise moment, I took the lib- From Keith Hawkins via Email hour since the 1950s (although I erty of chatting to him. We talked While I agree with some of the com- was only young then!). My query re- mainly about the Society, the (un) ments in Anthony Green’s letter in lates to the script of the radio pro- likelihood of fresh Hancock “finds” the July edition of The Missing Page, gramme ‘A Sunday Afternoon’. At in people’s attics, the excellent qual- I do not think either THAS or The one point, Hancock half sings a line ity of the BBC’s recordings of the Missing Page is a spent force. Unfor- which sounds like “Life came to Mrs. original radio shows, the difficulty tunately there are less and less con- Winthrop.” I have searched on line of “remastering” TV shows, and the temporaries of T.H. left alive, and in- but can find no reference to any- new radio half-hours covering the evitably some issues will be more thing similar. Can you help me iden- missing episodes The Hancock Fes- difficult to fill with new material tify what this refers to, or maybe I tival, The New Neighbour, The Mat- than others, but I for one find that I have mis-heard the line? ador, The Breakfast Cereal and The still enjoy reading (and sometimes Is the script available on line any- Newspaper. Alan told me how de- re-reading) my quarterly Missing where, where I could check it? Many lighted he was with the re-record- Page. I also think that most mem- thanks for your help. ings, and had a particular word or bers are not just in the THAS be- two of praise for Kevin McNally as cause they get a quarterly news- Robin Parker “the lad ‘imself”. In turn, I was de- letter. Incidentally I find that just The Editor replies: lighted to hear that I shouldn’t rule having my THAS sticker on the back Well this is a new one of me Robin, out the possibility of further con- window of my car elicits quite a lot but let’s see if any of our readers can temporary recordings of lost epi- of comments from people with fond help you! sodes in due course. memories of the Lad Himself and I From Ted Masters of London The fifteen minute half time break have on occasion found myself chat- went by in an instant. I kept apol- ting with someone in some car park I was struggling and had been ogising to Alan for taking up his about their favourite Hancock’s Half for sometime, on a crossword for time, and for talking about Han- Hour. The Missing Page (my 19th!), the cock issues that he must be pes- bottom left hand corner had been tered about every day. Alan was an Keith Hawkins giving me grief, so I gave up on it. absolute gentleman throughout the The Editor replies: Then, that very day The Missing quarter of an hour, he made it clear Well Anthony Green’s letter in our Page came in the post. In it, a letter he didn’t mind talking about things last issue, has certainly stirred things from Alex and Claudia saying how other than football, and that there up! I’m grateful to Dave (for his fine much they enjoyed the crosswords, was no need to apologise. which, I must admit, was very pleas- drawing of Bill Kerr), Bob and Keith’s On the journey back home after the ing. The outcome - one completed letters, as they highlight the old match I thought of many more ques- crossword - thank you both. I must saying that ‘ you can please some of tions I would have liked to asked take this opportunity, however, to the people all of the time, and all of had there been more time available apologise for earlier efforts where I the people some of the time, but you but, as a rather starstruck 57-year- included a preposition for example can’t please all of the people all of the old, I was so very grateful for the op- (I was desperate) or worse time!’ However, as it’s current editor, portunity of a brief 1-1 with one of I’ll continue to try and do so and am my all-time heroes! always grateful for constructive crit- icsisms. The Editor replies: Ken Brazier From Carolyn Bryant via Email Thanks for your letter Ted and for The Editor replies: A very interesting letter Ken and As an addict of Tony Hancock - your other one which is printed next an ideal opportunity to include this please could you tell me the name to the solutions of your crossword in recent photograph of Alan Simpson. of the song that appears in the back- our last issue Do any of our ground of “ The Old School Reun- From Ken Bazier via Email other readers ion “ - it sounds like it was as actual I am a Director at Enfield Town have similair old school anthem of some sort. Football Club. On 23rd September, anectodotes Have searched everywhere but hit we had an away match at Hampton about meeting a blank. and Richmond Borough. We lost Ray, Alan or Greatly appreciated. Many thanks if 1-0, but that’s not important, nor is anyone con- you can help it the purpose of this letter! nected with Carolyn Bryant At half-time I ventured into the Hancock?

THE MISSING PAGE OCTOBER 2014 5 FILM FUN RESTORED (30 June 1962) by Nigel Parkinson Held over from our last issue, we’re grateful to resident Dandy and Beano catoonist - not to mention stalwart THAS member - Nigel Parkinson, for lovingly restoring another Film Fun comic strip featuring ‘Lord’ Tony Han- cock (but no Sid James). This one dates from 30th June 1962 and they went on for about another year before the strip ended when Film Fun was amalgamated into Buster TRIVIA CORNER - by Mike West THE REAL CURSE OF THE McHAN- every match mentioned was a home rious anomaly. Tony Hancock doesn’t COCKS? AND THE VERY LATE win. Not a draw in sight! even get a mention in a text otherwise FOOTBALL RESULTS FOR 7th NO- Here then are the football results for overflowing with the names of the VEMBER 1959 7th November 1959 as Tony ought to stars Moira worked with. Odder still, In a Summer dominated by sporting have heard them: “Hancock’s Haif Hour” is glaringly ex- events in far off exotic Brazil you can cluded from the detailed and compre- Football League Division 2 hensive listing of Moira’s many stage, be forgiven for not being aware of the Cardiff 2 - Swansea 1 (Home Win) briefly raised hopes in May 2014 that film, TV and radio appearances at the Charlton Athletic 3 - Sunderland 1 (Home Win) back of the book. Even her brief cast- the long-lost name of Gateshead FC Sheffield United 1 - Ipswich 0 (Home Win) would be returning to the football re- ing as another hapless radio bache- sults. It was not to be and the Wemb- Football League Division 3 lor’s girlfriend In “A Life of Bliss” is ley score of Gateshead 1- Cambridge Brentford 3 - Chesterfield 0 (Home Win)* noted, yet missing, for some reason, United 2 in the Conference promo- Colchester 2 - Newport 1 (Home Win) is the full series she did with Tony. tion play-off final meant the Head’s Reading 1 - Bradford City 0 (Home Win)* What, I wonder, did Hancock and the exile continues for at least another Southampton 2 - QPR 1 (Home Win) Hancock’s Half-Hour crowd do to season. Southend 6 – Accrington Stanley 1 (Home Win) upset Moira so much that she wanted Football League Division 4 In fact it was 55 years this past to erase them from her official life Carlisle 1 - Southport 0 (Home Win) summer since the original Gateshead stony? Chester 3 – Wokington 1 (Home Win) FC were unexpectedly voted out of This omission aside it is a frank and Crystal Palace 4 - Rochdaie 0 (Home Win) the Football League for the usually entertaining read. Which makes it Exeter 3 - Aldershot 1 (Home Win) pardonable crime of coming third even less understandable that she Notts County - 2 Millwall 1 (Home Win) from bottom in the Fourth Division. should draw such a dense veil over Oldham 3 - Gillingham 1 (Home Win) her time in Hancock’s Half-Hour. I’m sure some of you will have read Watford 2 - Barrow 0 (Home Win) to this point thinking you have inad- * Not read out in the episode. By way of contrast Moira devotes vertently picked up an aged copy of several pages to the death of the Ca- Also mentioned in the episode are Charles Buchan’s Football Weekly nadian actor Paul Carpenter who two matches from the previous Sat- and are wondering what all this has appeared unbilled in the first radio urday, 31st October 1959. Namely got to do with Tony Hancock... Well, series version of “Cinderella Han- the Football League Division 1 match Gateshead FC may not have achieved cock”. Paul died suddenly from the between Nottingham Forest and much In the way of trophies or media after effects of a car crash, aged just Chelsea (another Home Win, 3-1 to attention over the years but they do 42, during rehearsals for a stage play Forest) and the Football League Divi- have the distinction of being men- with Moira. sion 2 match between Aston Villa and tioned in one of the best lines in a Plymouth, a 2-0 Home Win. Someone who does mention Tony in very funny TV ‘Hancock’s Half-Hour’ a more recent autobiography is Diana (Series 5, Episode 10, “The Football Melly*. Albeit fleetingly and perhaps Pools”, 23rd November 1959) when dubiously. On page 44 of the Vin- Tony laments that his future wealth tage Books Paperback Diana (wife and happiness is dependent on, “the of George and sister in law of Moira whims and foibles of eleven pairs of Lister’s radio Series 2 replacement dirty great boots from Gateshead”. Andree) mentions in passing listen- Is it just a coincidence that the men ing to Tony Hancock on a car radio from Gateshead- dirty great boots during the summer evenings of 1967. and all! were unfairly sent into the But how accurate Is her memory be- football wilderness just months after cause according to Roger Willmut the nation’s favourite comedian had the only Hancock’s Half-Hour radio WHAT! NO HANCOCK? a go at them on national TV? Could it repeat in 1967 was “Hancock in be the “Curse of the McHancocks” at I recently read Moira Listers auto- Hospital” broadcast at 11.50 AM on work across the border? biography, “The Very Merry Moira”. Spring Bank Holiday Monday 29th Admittedly somewhat belatedly it If you have read this far you might May. was published 45 years’ ago in 1969! also be interested to know that (Which trivia buffs will know was just (Moira Lister, The Very Merry Moira, Tony’s scripted pools forecasts in three days before the official UK re- Hodder and Stoughton, 1969, ISBN that episode were based on an actual lease of The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s 340 10632 8) fixtures-coupon produced a few Lonely Hearts Club Band” album on weeks earlier for Saturday 7th No- My main reason for reading the book Thursday 1st June 1967!) vember 1959. However, in the real was to discover what Moira thought * Diana Melly, Take a Girl Like Me: Life world his predictions would have not of working with Tony etc. but THAS With George, Vintage Books, 2006, won him a penny. Without exception members may be interested in a cu- ISBN 0099490552

8 THE MISSING PAGE OCTOBER 2014 MALCOLM CHAPMAN’S LEGACY IN THAS ARCHIVES PART 4 - by Martin Gibbons

At our 2013 Bournemouth Reunion the THAS was invited by Soo Chapman to look through the late Malcolm Chapman’s incredible Tony Hancock archive to take items for our archives. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Soo for her generosity in donating a signif- icant number of items to the Society. The cataloging of the items has not yet taken place and the fourth and final part of this article deals with the one piece of Super 9 Film that have been added to the THAS archive Film on super 9 – a world of home entertainment from Ken Films Selected scenes from Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines THAS WEBSITE UPDATE - by Martin Gibbons

Well, it’s been a busy few months what with the Reunion Dinner, the re-recording of missing radio episodes of Hancock’s Half Hour and Hancock back on the telly. But did you know that there’s a ‘Latest News’ section on the website to keep you up to date with what’s happening for all things Hancock! ety by Soo Chapman SITUATIONS VACANT – thank ON THE COMMITTEE OF THE you Soo TONY HANCOCK for such a APPRECIATION SOCIETY collection. Also, over MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY the coming Responsibilities include: months, Dealing with Membership Enquiries work will and providing Membership Packs to be contin- new members. Maintaining the Soci- uing on the ety’s Computer Database and mail- Episode ing out our quarterly magazine and Film guides sec- ARCHIVIST tions and Responsibilities include: we will Custodian of the entire Archive Col- start on lection of the THAS (as this com- the Thea- prises of several large items - some- tre Appear- New sections are also being added one with access to storage facilities ances as well. Oh, and watch out to the Member’s only section of the would be ideally suited) for the appearance of THAS on Fa- website which includes a signifi- cebook (when I can work out how EDITOR OF MISSING PAGE cant archive of the Film Fun comic to do it!) Responsibilities include: strips for member’s to view and download and, of course the latest If anyone has any contribution for Receiving, Collating and Prepara- edition of The Missing Page’ is the website (whether it is a scanned tion of all content for the Society’s also available to view in the Mem- copy of a Theatre Programme or a quarterly magazine and preparing bers only section. ‘Stone me! All me Film Fun comic that we don’t have original copy to send to our printer. comic strips on line’. in our archive or an article or item Access and knowledge of computer of research) please do forward it to based desktop publishing pro- If you don’t yet have a log in, please me for consideration for inclusion grammes would be beneficial, but let me know and I’ll set this up for on the website or The Missing Page not obligatory. you. Magazine. For further information or to apply So what’s happening next? Well, So that’s it from me. I’m going to for any of the above positions, please we should have some more copies have me tea and biscuits…but no contact Andrew Clayden at his de- of Film Fun to upload soon. These badge! tails on page 3 have all been donated to the Soci-

THE MISSING PAGE OCTOBER 2014 9 EXCLUSIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH RAY & ALAN - by Andrew Clayden

In answer to Anthony Green’s suggestion in our last issue (TMP Vol 6 - No 3) and to celebrate the Sixtieth Anniversary of the very first broadcast of Hancock’s Half-Hour on the BBC, I am extremely grateful to Tessa LeBars who kindly put forward the following questions to Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, that were asked exclu- sively on behalf of our Society. If readers have any other questions that they wish to ask Ray and Alan, please send them into the Editor at his address on page 3 in the hope that they are agreeable to supply their answers in a future issue of The Missing Page.

Apart from Tony, were all the other had seen him play The Dauphin in he had a horror of playing anything actors your first choices for their George Bernard Shaw’s St Joan and even remotely off colour. In any case respective roles? he was hired to do all the incidental we were our own strict censors. Yes. Moira Lister came into the show voices. How close to the actual recording from Star Bill along with Tony. Bill Can you recall any auditions being dates did you get before finishing Kerr was on old friend of Tony’s from held for that first broadcast and some of your scripts? the wartime entertainments and we any memories/anecdotes regard- Mostly on radio they were nearly were friendly with him so that was ing them? a natural dovetailing. Sidney was always finished a week in advance slightly different. We wanted some- There were no auditions held as eve- although on some memorable occa- one to play Tony’s crooked agent/ rybody’s performance was already sions, due to writers’ block, we were friend/business acquaintance. We known. Our one misconception was late in delivery and were supply- also knew the actor we wanted but a character called Coatsleeve Char- ing Dennis Main Wilson in the early unfortunately we didn’t know his lie, one of Sid’s sidekicks, played by hours of the mornings preceding name. We knew he was in The Lav- Gerald Campion. All his speeches recordings. It was not uncommon ender Hill Mob so we hunted around were interspersed with sniff sniff as during those few late night work- and found a small cinema where it he wiped his nose on his coat sleeve. ings for Dennis to turn up at Alan’s was showing in Putney. We went One of our few totally misguided con- mother’s where we were writing, to see it but got in half way through, ceptions. Needless to say the charac- at midnight, laden with nourishing somehow missed the closing cred- ter did not survive further than the fish and chips to see us through the its, so sat the whole film round again one episode. night. This obviously did not apply to find out it was Sidney James. It Did the BBC ever have to ‘blue to television scripts as the sets had was well worth the effort as we later pencil’ any of your scripts? to be built and so plenty of notice found out. Kenneth Williams arrived was required and scripts were fin- Never. Tony would have blue pen- ished earlier. by virtue of Dennis Main Wilson who cilled anything dubious himself as

10 THE MISSING PAGE OCTOBER 2014 What was the happiest or most amusing. The literature of the genre umentary about Sunday afternoons memorable thing that you did was considered to be the work of in the fifties. It is not up to us to with Hancock? James Hadley Chase and Mickey select our position in social history It is difficult to pick out one thing, Spillane, which will give you some but if we’re there we are delighted. there were bits and pieces through- idea of the troughs reached by Darcy Richly deserved says our Agent. out the nine years we were work- Glinto and Ben Sarto. What do you think Hancock’s re- ing together. Individual episodes Is Bill Kerr’s “stunting on a punt” action would be - if he were alive would include The Blood Donor and anecdote true or did he just think today - about the fact that there is Twelve Angry Men. The individ- it made a good story? an Appreciation Society celebrat- ual lines such as “Does Magna Carta We do not know the story but we ing him? mean nothing to you, did she die in hope it’s true. He would be delighted if somewhat vain?” Or Tony on being asked if he embarrassed. was a doctor “No I never really both- Do you think that some of your ered”. And of course everbody’s fa- scripts have now become com- Finally, have you any message to vourite “a pint, that’s very nearly an ments of social history? For ex- our members in The Tony Hancock armful”. ample “Sunday Afternoon at Appreciation Society? Home” is something that we prob- Thank you for all your efforts. Keep With reference to Darcy Sarto in ably wouldn’t want to return to The Missing Page did you ever at it. Keep pestering the BBC for re- whereas when we are laughing at peats. Keep buying the products. read anything by Darcy Glinto “Hancock in Hospital” I find myself and/or Ben Sarto and if so can you Keep telling your friends and chil- thinking if only it was like that dren, especially the ones not yet remember what it was and what now. you thought about it? born. If we play our cards right we Funnily enough we were recently can keep it going for another sixty Yes we did read their works. They asked to contribute to a social doc- years. were complete rubbish but highly

NEW RELEASES TO CELEBRATE 60 YEARS OF HANCOCK - by Martin Gibbons

the set which track number the second The Leaving of Cheam (interview) episode on each disc starts at! The Missing Page Next, towards the end of October, Radio Details will be provided on the website 4 will be broad- casting The Miss- as soon as they are available. ing Hancocks. This series was detailed in full in the last magazine so this has not been re- peated here. The entire series is due for release on the 18th December; the artwork is not As the 60th Anniversary yet available. of the first broadcast of Finally, early in No- Hancock’s Half Hour fast vember, Radio 4 approaches in November, there’s a Extra will be broad- lot of activity at the BBC! casting a Hancock Released on the 18th September (No special which will 9781471368004) this CD set contains feature a number all surviving episodes of the first two of recordings from series of Hancock’s Half Hour. Pre- the Society’s ar- sented in a box the size of a double CD chive. album, the 10 CDs (which don’t have any At the time of writ- sleeves or protective covers) are simply ing, the Hancock stacked on a spindle within the box. special is expected There is no booklet but the inside of the to include: front cover lists all the episodes of the Educating Archie first two series including those that are Face To Face missing. The CDs contain index points ‘Ancock’s Anthology throughout but there is no indication in

THE MISSING PAGE OCTOBER 2014 11 SOLUTIONS and apology to last issues’ HANCOCK CROSSWORD by Ted Masters

Apology from Crossword Compiler: Ted Masters “I am sorry for all the head scratching that must have gone on amongst those of you who attempted the crossword in our July issue. To explain how the error on 5 Down (Oranges) and 13 Across (Lawyer) came about would be too complicated. I would like to state that this is entirely down to me and that the editor is in no way responsible and I can only apologise to him and readers of The Missing Page” Editor: Andrew Clayden adds his t’uppenworth Don’t beat yourself up Ted, we all make mistakes - I clearly remember mine when I agreed to be editor of The Missing Page, shortly followed by my promotion to that of President of our beloved Tony Hancock Appreciation Society! Wishing you a Happy Christmas and looking forward to next issues’ crossword

Now’s the time to book your place for The Tony Hancock Appreciation Society ANNUAL BOURNEMOUTH REUNION DINNER To be held at THE QUEENS’ HOTEL & SPA Meyrick Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire BH1 3DL

SUNDAY 3rd MAY 2015 Dinner 6.45pm for 7.15pm All this for only £30.00 Honoured Guests to be announced shortly Check our website at tonyhancock.org.uk for up to date announcements In order to see all that The Queens’ Hotel offers and book your room direct, visit their website at: www.queenshotelbournemouth.com or telephone 01202 554415. Don’t forget to mention that you are attending the THAS function and they will offer you our Special Discount of only £45.00 per person. All those who attend will be given * A Complementary Cocktail and Glass of Wine with their Meal * A Free ‘Goodie Bag’ containing many rare items of Hancock Memorabilia * Autograph (limit to 2 items per person) & Photo Opportunities with our Honoured Guests Apart from all the above and Meal (see Menu right) we’ll also have all of the following: * Sunday Afternoon Hancock Quiz * Rare Video Screenings Menu * Display of Rare Hancock Archives Cream of Leek and Potato Soup * THAS Merchandise Stall Traditional Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding & Red Wine Sauce * Live Auction of Rare Hancock Related Material All served with Chef’s Seasonal Potatoes and Vegetables All this for the Low Price of Only £30.00 Apple Tart Tarin with Creme Fraiche To book your place at this prestigious event, Cheese Board for the table to share please write direct to THAS Treasurer: Ken Clarke at his Freshly Ground Coffee and Mints. address of 24 Heenan Close, Frimley Green, Camberley, Surrey GU16 6NQ enclosing your payment (made payable to THAS) of only £30.00 per person by 23rd April 2015 at the latest. Don’t forget to enclose your Name, Address and Email Address along with whether you’d prefer the Vegetarian Alternative from our Menu, plus a SAE if you’d like a reply.

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