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The Best of Hancock
- GenresHumor
168 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1987
6 people want to read
About the author
Ray Galton
126 books3 followersRaymond Percy Galton OBE was an English radio and television scriptwriter, best known for the Galton and Simpson comedy writing partnership with Alan Simpson. Together they devised and wrote 1950s and 60s BBC sitcoms including Hancock's Half Hour (1954–1961), the first two series of Comedy Playhouse (1961–1963), and Steptoe and Son (1962–1974).
[With thanks to Wikipedia]
[With thanks to Wikipedia]
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 10, 2021
The one and only Tony Hancock - probably the best British radio comedian of all time. And with the brilliant writing team of Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, the trio created one of the truly great BBC radio series 'Hancock's Half Hour' which was then adapted into a hit television series.
Sadly after dispensing with Galton and Simpson, Hancock failed in his attempt at a movie career and eventually ended up in Australia performing one-man shows (including a notorious show in Melbourne which had to be abandoned after twenty minutes because he was too drunk to stand - a performance attended by my sister!) and a disastrous TV series. In 1968, the very troubled Hancock committed suicide at the age of 44 while living in Sydney. A tragic end to one of the great comedians.
This book presents ten of the most famous Galton & Simpson television scripts including the classic 'The Blood Donor,' 'The Poison Pen Letters,' 'The Radio Ham' and 'The Missing Page' (all available on records and tapes) produced between 1959 -1961 for BBC-TV. Casts included stalwart Sid James, Hugh Lloyd, John Le Mesurier, Patricia Hayes, June Whitfield and Patrick Cargill.
Perhaps difficult to fully enjoy these scripts unless you have the sight and sound of Hancock, but they are an excellent keepsake and document of some of Britain's finest comedy writing.
Book comes with an added bonus of 12 pages of rare photos of Hancock, the writers and cast. Plus a delightful series of lifelike Hancock cartoons by John Ireland.
Hypochondriac, skinflint and first-class misery, Anthony Aloysius St. John Hancock, of 23 Railway Cuttings, East Cheam was also the funniest creation of his generation.
If you are unfamiliar with Hancock, get familiar because if you don't, you are missing out on a real treat.
Sadly after dispensing with Galton and Simpson, Hancock failed in his attempt at a movie career and eventually ended up in Australia performing one-man shows (including a notorious show in Melbourne which had to be abandoned after twenty minutes because he was too drunk to stand - a performance attended by my sister!) and a disastrous TV series. In 1968, the very troubled Hancock committed suicide at the age of 44 while living in Sydney. A tragic end to one of the great comedians.
This book presents ten of the most famous Galton & Simpson television scripts including the classic 'The Blood Donor,' 'The Poison Pen Letters,' 'The Radio Ham' and 'The Missing Page' (all available on records and tapes) produced between 1959 -1961 for BBC-TV. Casts included stalwart Sid James, Hugh Lloyd, John Le Mesurier, Patricia Hayes, June Whitfield and Patrick Cargill.
Perhaps difficult to fully enjoy these scripts unless you have the sight and sound of Hancock, but they are an excellent keepsake and document of some of Britain's finest comedy writing.
Book comes with an added bonus of 12 pages of rare photos of Hancock, the writers and cast. Plus a delightful series of lifelike Hancock cartoons by John Ireland.
Hypochondriac, skinflint and first-class misery, Anthony Aloysius St. John Hancock, of 23 Railway Cuttings, East Cheam was also the funniest creation of his generation.
If you are unfamiliar with Hancock, get familiar because if you don't, you are missing out on a real treat.
July 13, 2025
The Best of Hancock is a compilation of ten of the funniest and beloved television scripts from the Hancock’s Half Hour TV series, which aired between 1959 and 1961. Many of these scripts were previously released on video cassette and were re-broadcast by the BBC in 1986.
Much has been said about Tony Hancock, the flawed comic genius, a victim of his own success. However, for this collection, it’s the scripts that do all the talking. The writing of Galton and Simpson produced some of comedy’s most unforgettable moments, setting a high standard by the dawn of the 1960s. Anthony Aloysis St John Hancock was an excellent match for Tony Hancock’s comedic persona, and the fact that audiences continue to laugh at these shows nearly seventy years after their original airing highlights not only the timelessness of the writing but also the impeccable timing of Hancock’s performance, whether as a solo act or alongside notable comedy actors such as Sid James, Patricia Hayes, John Le Mesurier, and Hugh Lloyd.
In this collection, we are presented with the scripts for The Economy Drive, The Two Murderers, Twelve Angry Men, The Big Night, The Cold, The Missing Page, The Poison Pen Letters, The Radio Ham, The Lift, and The Blood Donor.
If you have experienced Tony Hancock’s performances on radio or television, you will find it easy to grasp the tone, delivery, and humour as you peruse these pages, which are all accompanied by John Ireland’s atmospheric specially commissioned cartoons. The Best of Hancock is perfect for those who wish to enjoy a quick laugh during any half-hour of escapism – H-H-Happy reading!
Much has been said about Tony Hancock, the flawed comic genius, a victim of his own success. However, for this collection, it’s the scripts that do all the talking. The writing of Galton and Simpson produced some of comedy’s most unforgettable moments, setting a high standard by the dawn of the 1960s. Anthony Aloysis St John Hancock was an excellent match for Tony Hancock’s comedic persona, and the fact that audiences continue to laugh at these shows nearly seventy years after their original airing highlights not only the timelessness of the writing but also the impeccable timing of Hancock’s performance, whether as a solo act or alongside notable comedy actors such as Sid James, Patricia Hayes, John Le Mesurier, and Hugh Lloyd.
In this collection, we are presented with the scripts for The Economy Drive, The Two Murderers, Twelve Angry Men, The Big Night, The Cold, The Missing Page, The Poison Pen Letters, The Radio Ham, The Lift, and The Blood Donor.
If you have experienced Tony Hancock’s performances on radio or television, you will find it easy to grasp the tone, delivery, and humour as you peruse these pages, which are all accompanied by John Ireland’s atmospheric specially commissioned cartoons. The Best of Hancock is perfect for those who wish to enjoy a quick laugh during any half-hour of escapism – H-H-Happy reading!
May 9, 2024
4.2/5
‘Twas a great experience having to feel like going back in the late 1950’s, and reading the scripts of some of the best 10 stories of the comedic television series “Hancock’s half-hour” written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
Among the 10 scripts that I’ve read, ‘The two murderers’ and ‘The Blood Donor’ were my favorites. Although, it would’ve been quite an experience to read the scripts while watching the show, unfortunately, there aren’t any episodes that I could find. Nevertheless, it was hilariously enjoyable and amusing to read!
‘Twas a great experience having to feel like going back in the late 1950’s, and reading the scripts of some of the best 10 stories of the comedic television series “Hancock’s half-hour” written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
Among the 10 scripts that I’ve read, ‘The two murderers’ and ‘The Blood Donor’ were my favorites. Although, it would’ve been quite an experience to read the scripts while watching the show, unfortunately, there aren’t any episodes that I could find. Nevertheless, it was hilariously enjoyable and amusing to read!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews