Hancock's Half Hour is a BBC television comedy series of the 1950s and 60s written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. The series starred Tony Hancock with Sid James. The final series, renamed simply Hancock, starred Hancock alone. Comedian Tony Hancock starred in the show, playing an exaggerated and much poorer version of his own character and lifestyle, Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock, a down-at-heel comedian living at the dilapidated 23 Railway Cuttings in East Cheam. The series was influential in the development of the situation comedy, with its move away from radio variety towards a focus on character development.
WritersAlan Simpson, Ray Galton
The First TV Show
Jul 6, 1956
Hancock has a broken leg but Sid insists that the show must go on and so the show is broadcast from Hancock's hospital bed.
The Artist
Jul 20, 1956
Hancock decides to become an artist and buys up some old canvases to paint over. However, one is a stolen Rembrandt and one of Sid's cronies is forced to buy up all of Hancock's paintings to retrieve it.
The Dancer
Aug 3, 1956
At last Hancock secures a film role... but only if he can dance. Sid provides lessons for Hancock and enters him into a local dancing Championship Contest, but is forced to become his partner in the competition (in drag)!
The Bequest
Aug 17, 1956
Uncle Obadiah leaves Hancock a fortune provided that he gets married. Hancock starts to look for his future wife with the help of the Sid James Marriage Bureau.
The Radio Show
Aug 31, 1956
Broadcast from the National Radio Show, Earl's Court, this episode comprised a number of sketches including the The Red Army Choir... British style!
The Chef That Died of Shame
Sep 14, 1956
The cast play the parts in the story of 'Iggins, a cook who becomes a well respected chef but subsequently fails and loses everything due to drink.
