A fascinating collection of uncommon and remastered radio & TV material starring Tony Hancock

Within this fourth treasury of rare archive material, our irrepressible hero forms an association to save lots of Fred’s Pie Stall, in a recently restored 1959 radio episode of Hancock’s About half Hour. In the BBC TV series comes The Italian Maid (1959) where Tony and Sid are bowled over by the lovely Silvano.

Two 1952 editions of Contacting All Forces line up alongside a 1953 release of Star Bill, and an extract from about Hancock’s About half Hour Collectibles: Quantity 4 The Country wide Radio Awards 1951 features Hancock inside a rare Educating Archie sketch.

In Hancock’s Helpers, from 2004, Russell Davies talks about Tony Hancock’s on-air and off-air relationship along with his co-stars, whilst a 2009 release of Great Lives examines the legacy from the lad ‘imself. Hancock and Son, from 1998, traces the composing relationship of Galton & Simpson.

In Briers on Hancock (1984) Richard Briers presents an affectionate tribute to Tony’s storage, with contributions from Dennis Primary Wilson, Denis Norden, George Fairweather, Ray Galton, Alan Simpson, John Lloyd, John Freeman, Sid Wayne and Expenses Kerr.

Also included in this treasury are interviews with Paul Merton, Roger Wilmut and Freddie Hancock, who almost all talk about the life and career of Tony Hancock. An added bonus PDF booklet talks about each item in the framework

of Hancock’s broadcasting career, with insights into how many of these lost or uncommon items were discovered.

Marking the legacy of one of our greatest comedy entertainers, this collection is crucial for devotees of Tony Hancock and Hancock’s Half Hour.

Made by Tom Ronald

A BBC Studios production