Round the Horne

Round the Horne: Complete Series #1

by Barry Took

Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden, and Hugh Paddick star in 17 episodes of the anarchic 1960s radio comedy, including the 1967 Christmas special. Round the Horne arrived on BBC radio in 1965, bringing laughter to Sunday lunchtimes throughout the land. Over the course of 16 weekly episodes it carved a niche in the history of broadcast comedy, a sketch show which prodded the boundaries of propriety and innuendo. At its heart was the suave and upstanding Kenneth Horne, around which revolved the multiple naughty personas of Kenneth Williams, Betty Marsden, Hugh Paddick, and Bill Pertwee. Among the parade of regular characters were Julian and Sandy, the camp couple of resting thespians happy to turn their hands to anything; Rambling Syd Rumbo, the musical cordwangler; Fiona and Charles, the passionate duo; and J. Peasemold Gruntfuttock, the world s dirtiest man. Meanwhile regular film parodies, spoof sagas, and musical interludes peppered the mix. In addition to the 16 episodes of Series Four, this edition also includes the 1967 Christmas special episode "Cinderfella" and "The Bona History of Julian and Sandy," in which Maureen Lipman takes a vada at Round the Horne s most flamboyant omipalonies. 9 hours approx. "

Audio CD

First published June 20, 1965

About the author

Barry Took was an English writer, television presenter and comedian.

Reviews

[Stephen Theaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I laughed many times. Many, many times.