Film Details 2 - 1956 - 1972

Wicked as They Come (1956) as Frank Allen

Plot Outline: A poor but beautiful woman sets her sights on rising to the top, and lets nothing stand in her way - including murder.

Dry Rot (1956) as Flash Harry

Plot Outline: In this comedy three bookies attempt to win back their recent losses by kidnapping the favored horse and substituting it with a heavily drugged nag.

Ramsbottom Rides Again (1956) as Black Jake

Plot Outline:British parody of an American western, an Englishman travels to Canada to run the ranch he recently inherited from his grandfather, a crusty old sheriff.

The Extra Day (1956) as Barney West

Plot Outline: The Extra Day is a portmanteau film in the tradition of the earlier Derby Day. The ball gets rolling when Joe Blake (Richard Basehart), the assistant to film director Kurt Vorn (Laurence Naismith), routinely summons a group of movie extras for a few necessary retakes. The audience then learns the "backstories" of the various extras. Starving artist Steven Marlow (George Baker), who has been doing crowd work to pay the bills, is the object of movie star Michele Blanchard's (Simone Simon) affections, even though he doesn't know it. Prizefighter Barney West (Sidney James) worries that he'll lose his extra job if his face is messed up in the ring. Socialite Toni Howard (Josephine Griffin) works in films to get away from the social whirl; her callback to Vorn's set nearly scotches her impending marriage to a famous singing star. And so it goes until the extras are assembled and Vorn yells "action."

Trapeze (1956) as The Snake Charmer

Plot Outline: Mike Ribble was once a great trapeze artist, and the only to have completed a triple somersault, before his accident. Tino joins the circus, and manages to covince Mike to teach him the 'triple'. Meanwhile Lola, a tumbler, wants to get in on the act.

The Crime of the Century (1956) as Abbie

Plot Outline: Television thriller drama series

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1956) [TV-Series 1955-1960] as Master Henry

Plot Outline: Episode - Outlaw Money
A long-running series of adventures featuring Robin of Locksley Robin Hood and his group of Sherwood-Forest-based freedom fighters

The Buccaneers (1956) [TV-Series 1956-1957] as Master Henry

Plot Outline: Episode - Hand of the Hawk
Captain Dan Tempest was an ex-pirate who received a pardon from the King and turned privateer after his stronghold of New Providence was taken over by Crown soldiers. Tempest and Lt. Beamish, the Crown-appointed deputy governor, were uneasy allies, fighting the Spanish privateers who were ravaging the Caribbean.

The Iron Petticoat (1956) as Paul

Plot Outline: Captain Vinka Kovelenko defects from Russia, but not for political reasons. She defects because she feels discriminated against as a woman. Captain Chuck Lockwood gets the order to show her the bright side of capitalism, while she tries to convince him of the superority of communism. Naturaly, they fall in love, but there's still the KGB, which doesn't like the idea of having a defected Russian officer running around in London.

Hancock's Half Hour [TV-Series 1956-1960] as Sidney James

Plot Outline: Began as a radio programme in November, 1954.
Hancock's Half Hour was a ground-breaking and influential BBC radio comedy series of the 1950s starring Tony Hancock, with Sid James, Hattie Jacques, Bill Kerr and Kenneth Williams. Moira Lister appeared in the first series of the radio show, before being replaced by Andre Melly for the second and third series. The lead female role was then taken by Hattie Jacques.
The show was written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, and produced by Dennis Main Wilson. The distinctive tuba-based theme tune was composed by Wally Stott.
The series broke with the variety tradition dominant in British radio comedy at that time, and instead of sketches, guest-stars and musical interludes, the humour developed from the characters and situations. Both the television and radio versions were based around Hancock's dilapidated fictional home at 23 Railway Cuttings, East Cheam, still one of the most famous addresses in British comedy history.
The television version appeared in 1956 under the same name and with the same writers, and alternated with the radio version until 1959. The basic situation was similar, but only Sid James transferred from the radio series, although Kenneth Williams and Hattie Jacques made guest appearances in early episodes. The television version did, however, draw on a stock company of actors to play the supporting characters in each episode. Semi-regulars included Liz Fraser, John Le Mesurier, Hugh Lloyd and Arthur Mullard.
The final series in 1961 was retitled Hancock because it was shortened to 25 minutes, and did not feature Sid James. Some of the most celebrated episodes of the TV series were produced during this final series, including The Blood Donor, The Bedsitter and The Radio Ham.
Some episodes of both the radio and television series were wiped. No episodes survive from the first season of the TV series. The remaining radio episodes have been released on CD box sets from 2000 to 2003. See below for details.
In a list of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes drawn up by the British Film Institute in 2000, voted for by industry professionals, Hancock's Half Hour was placed 24th.
During 1956-1957 Hancock also starred in a sketch show made by Associated-Rediffusion for ITV which, being live, alternated with his BBC appearances.

Radio series
Most radio episodes were recorded between one day and three weeks in advance, except in the case of Series 6 which was mostly recorded over a three-week period in June, 1959 to avoid clashing with Series 5 of the television show.
Series 1
16 episodes, November 2, 1954 - February 15, 1955 Regular cast: Tony Hancock, Bill Kerr, Moira Lister, Sid James, Alan Simpson Episodes 5, 7, 8, 9 and 15 no longer exist.
The loss of Episodes 5 and 15 is particularly unfortunate since they feature the only "Hancock" guest appearances by Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers respectively.
Series 2
12 episodes, April 17 - July 2, 1955 Regular cast: Harry Secombe (Episodes 1 - 4), Tony Hancock (Episodes 4 - 12), Bill Kerr, Sid James, Andre Melly, Kenneth Williams, Alan Simpson Episodes 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10 and 12 (more than half the series, including all of Harry Secombe's guest appearances) no longer exist.
Shortly before the series was due to be recorded Hancock walked out on a theatre performance suffering from "nervous exhaustion" and flew to Rome. Harry Secombe was brought in at short notice to replace Hancock and starred in the first three episodes, and made a guest appearance in the fourth. Hancock himself returned for the fourth episode and completed the series as scheduled.
Series 3
20 episodes, October 10, 1955 - February 29, 1956 Regular cast: Tony Hancock, Bill Kerr, Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Andre Melly, Alan Simpson Episodes 4 through 12, 15 and 16 - more than half the series - no longer exist.
Series 4
20 episodes, October 14, 1956 - February 24, 1957 Regular cast: Tony Hancock, Bill Kerr, Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Hattie Jacques (debut in Episode 5) Episodes 3, 5 and 9 no longer exist.
Series 5
20 episodes, January 1 - June 3, 1958 Regular cast: Tony Hancock, Bill Kerr, Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Hattie Jacques All episodes still exist.
Christmas Special
"Bill and Father Christmas" Cast: Tony Hancock, Bill Kerr, Sid James, Hattie Jacques, Warren Mitchell This episode still exists.
Special remake series for BBC Transcription Services 4 episodes, recorded November 23 - November 30, 1958 Regular cast: Tony Hancock, Bill Kerr, Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Hattie Jacques These episodes are remakes for overseas sales, rewritten to remove any topical or UK-specific references.
All episodes still exist.
Series 6 14 episodes, September 29 - December 29, 1959 Regular cast: Tony Hancock, Bill Kerr, Sid James All episodes still exist.

Television Series
Series 1
6 episodes, broadcast live, every 2 weeks, July 7 - September 14 1956 No recordings exist.
Series 2
6 episodes, broadcast live, every 2 weeks, April 1 - June 10 1957 Episode 1 exists on a telerecording.
Series 3
11 regular episodes plus Christmas special, "Hancock's 43 Minutes", broadcast live, September 9 - December 23, 1957 Episodes 5, 9, 10, 11 and "Hancock's 43 Minutes" exist on telerecordings.
Series 4
13 episodes; episodes 1 - 4 pre-recorded on telerecordings, 5 - 13 live, broadcast December 26, 1958 - March 27, 1959 (skipping February 27) Episodes 1, 3, 4, 11 and 12 exist on telerecordings.
Series 5
10 episodes, pre-recorded on videotape, broadcast September 25 - November 27, 1959 The entire series exists on telerecordings.
Series 6
10 episodes, pre-recorded on videotape, broadcast February 19 - May 6, 1960 The entire series exists on telerecordings.
Series 7
Shortened to 25 minutes per episode and retitled "Hancock" 6 episodes, pre-recorded on videotape, broadcast May 26 - June 30, 1961 The entire series exists on telerecordings.
Chronological listing of Hancock's radio and television broadcasts, 1954 - 1961
Hancock's Half Hour, radio Series 1: November 2, 1954 - February 15, 1955
Series 2: April 17 - July 2, 1955
Series 3: October 10, 1955 - February 29, 1956
The Tony Hancock Show, Series 1 (Associated-Rediffusion for ITV): April 4 - June 1, 1956
Hancock's Half Hour, television Series 1: July 7 - September 14 1956
Hancock's Half Hour, radio Series 4: October 14, 1956 - February 24, 1957
The Tony Hancock Show, Series 2: November 16, 1956- January 25, 1957
Hancock's Half Hour, television Series 2: April 1 - June 10 1957
Series 3: September 9 - December 23, 1957
Hancock's Half Hour, radio Series 5: January 1 - June 3, 1958
Hancock's Half Hour, television Series 4: December 26, 1958 - March 27, 1959
Series 5: September 25 - November 27, 1959
Hancock's Half Hour, radio Series 6: September 29 - December 29, 1959
Hancock's Half Hour, television Series 6: February 19 - May 6, 1960
Series 7: May 26 - June 30, 1961
Information gathered from Answers.com

Quatermass 2 (1957) as Jimmy Hall

Plot Outline: Professor Bernard Quatermass is still angry that the British government won't green-light his Moonbase project when he discovers that someone has built a working replica of his project at Wynnerton Flats. And now some mysterious meteorites have fallen on the area - could the two be linked? Quatermass investigates and discovers that the plant is producing synthetic food for a race of aliens hoping to invade the planet - aliens who have started to possess key government officials.

Hell Drivers (1957) as Dusty, Truck Driver

Plot Outline: Nominated for BAFTA Film Award.
A corrupt road haulage company forces its drivers to make death-defying cross country chases to collect bonuses. Director Cy Endfield's thriller features a compelling British cast, including a young Sean Connery in a small role.

The Man Inside (1958) as Franklin

Plot Outline: A bookkeeper for a jeweler steals a priceless jewel and flees across Europe. A detective tracking her across the continent soon discovers that he's not the only one looking for her and begins to suspect that there's more to the case than just an ordinary jewel theft.

Too Many Crooks (1959) as Sid

Plot Outline: Accident-prone Fingers runs a pretty unsuccessful gang. They try and rob wealthy but tricky Billy Gordon - who distrusts banks and fears the Inland Revenue - but he sees Fingers and the boys off. So they decide to kidnap his daughter, only to end up with his wife Lucy. Gordon makes out he couldn't be more pleased, spuring Lucy to take charge of the hopeless bunch of villains.

Watch Your Stern (1960) as Chief Petty Officer Mundy

Plot Outline: When the details of a secret torpedo are destroyed by an incompetent seaman, the crew of the ship rally round, when the Admiral needs the plans to show to a visiting scientist.

What a Whopper (1961) as Harry

Plot Outline: A writer attempts to raise some cash by writing a book about the Loch Ness Monster. No publisher will take it because they all think there isn't really a monster. The writer and some of his friends make a fake monster and take photographs and then travel to Scotland to see if they can convince the locals.

The Green Helmet (1961) as Richie Launder

Plot Outline: Fast-paced actioner, an aging race-car driver finds that he is losing his competitive edge. He tries racing under the sponsorship of an American tire company. He soon falls in love with the sponsor's daughter who pleads with him to stop driving. Adding more pressure to the man's life is his younger brother who swore to his mother that he would not drive until his older brother retires. The older brother still wants to prove himself, and so enters a 1,000-mile Italian race. When his mechanic-navigator is killed, the aging driver quits and the younger brother finally gets to drive.

Double Bunk (1961) as Sid

Plot Outline: A battered houseboat on the Thames provides the setting for this romantic British comedy. Two newlyweds rent the leaky floating home. The trouble begins when the husband decides to move the scow to a better location. The rickety barge disrupts river traffic. Next the two get lost in a fog bank. When it finally lifts, they find themselves in France. Fortunately, their landlord's yacht is moored nearby and they are able to borrow some petrol. The landlord bets that he can beat them across the Channel with his yacht. The race begins. The yachtsman gets terribly drunk and his cannot stay on course. The newlyweds win the race.

What a Carve Up! (1962) as Sid

Plot Outline: Ernie's uncle Gabriel has just died but to claim his inheritance he must spend the night in the ancestral home with the rest of his relatives. Before long the guests begin to drop dead.

"Taxi!" [TV-Series 1963-1964] as Sid Stone

Plot Outline: Comedy / Drama tv series, 26 episodes starring alongside Ray Brooks.

The Big Job (1965) as George Brain

Plot Outline: An inept gang of bank robbers, led by George The Brain, are caught and sentenced to 15 years hard labour each. When they are released from prison they start out to collect the money they had stolen and which George had hidden in a hollow tree during the chase in which they were caught. The only trouble is that the tree was in the middle of a lonely lane when they were imprisoned; now, 15 years later, the tree is in the backyard of a Police Station...

George and the Dragon [TV-Series 1966-1968] as George Russell

Plot Outline: George Russell is the chauffeur/handyman for rich retired Colonel Maynard, working at the latter's comfortable home. He is also an incorrigible lech, his sexual advances having prompted the resignations of 16 cook/housekeepers, all beautiful young foreigners, inside three months. Then an indomitable woman, a widow named Gabrielle Dragon, is appointed to the position. Considering her un-beautiful looks and personality, George has no wish whatsoever to interfere with Dragon (her maiden name: she reverted to it upon the death of her husband) but right away, in the opening episode, he perpetrates a mock-amorous advance in the hope that it will drive her away. Her retort, she threatens to punch his 'crinkly nose in' sets the tone for the rest of the series: George has met his match and life chez Maynard is never going to be the same. When not at odds with each other, George and Gabrielle join forces to foil the Colonel's plans to bring order to the place, sometimes helped by Ralph, the compost-smelling gardener (Keith Marsh).

Two in Clover [TV-Series 1969-1970] as Sid Turner

Plot Outline: A pair of stressed-out nine-to-fivers turned their backs on the rat race, in their case, a City insurance firm, where they worked as invoice clerks - and retreated to the country village of Fletchley in their Morris-Minor, intent on turning over new leaves. They bought a smallholding, Clover Farm, and soon became bogged down in all manner of...strife, finding the lifestyle less glamorous and, with no knowledge of how to manage chickens, pigs, sheep and cows, more mucky than they had imagined. They also found the locals unwelcoming.Sid James - the perpetual 'Sid', his surname this time being Turner - played his customary crafty-cockney character, with one eye on the birds and the other on the beer, and his jowls bobbing with every dirty chuckle.

Bless This House [TV-Series 1971-1976] as Sid Abbott

Plot Outline: Domestic sitcom, with most of its humour rooted in generation-gap blues, Bless This House dominated the station's comedy output for half a decade. It starred Sid James in what, for him, was his first appearance on TV as a family man, although the obsessions for which he was previously known - his beer, his bird-fancying (the birds being young women, of course), his pipe and his football - remained a constant.

As the cheery but regularly frustrated Londoner (he must have said 'Oh my gawd' in every episode), a successful travelling stationery salesman by trade, Sid thought himself head of a household that also numbered his wife Jean (well played by Diana Coupland) and two young-adult children: Mike (Robin Stewart), aged 18 (at first), whose dress and philosophies reflected the late-hippy period and gave Sid cause to worry about his son's sexual preferences; and Sally (played by Sally Geeson, sister of film actress Judy), who, though just 16 at the start of the first series, embraced not only the principles of the free love generation but, it was suggested, partook of it too. Neighbours Trevor and Betty frequently popped in to stir the troubled waters, the excessively laddish Trev seeing Sid's point of view (usually over a pint at the Hare and Hounds, on Clapham Common in south London) and Betty seeing Jean's. Plots incorporated all the standard sitcom situations: misunderstandings, small lies growing out of all proportion, conclusion jumping, fantastic coincidences and pride-fuelled fiascos - but it was all delivered with a rude energy and helped along by Sid James's and Diana Coupland's likeable screen personae. Snubbed by the critics perhaps, but the public watched it in droves and episodes regularly appeared in the national ratings top ten

Tokoloshe (1971) as Blind Man

Plot Outline: A young Zulu lad (Saul Pelle) is sent away from home by his mother so that he will not die from a witch doctor's curse. He travels through the countryside as inconspicuously as he can but still meets briefly with the Zulu Chief (played by Buthelezi, himself). Once in town, he is conned into becoming part of a gang of robbers but eventually winds up helping and being helped by a blind white man

All This, and Christmas Too! (1971) (TV) as Sid Jones

Plot Outline: A single seasonal special, shown by ITV in the year when there was no Carry On production for the small screen (these had been made in 1969 and 1970, with more to follow in 1972 and 1973). But though Sid James and Kenneth Connor - veterans of that long-running venture - were cast here with Carry On-like names, Sid and Willy, the script had more in common with James's current TV sitcom Bless This House: at odds with the younger generation, Sid is a pipe-smoking, hassled father of two, one of whom is named Sally.

Click Here for The Carry ons!

Web Hosting · Blog · Guestbooks · Message Forums · Mailing Lists
Allwebco Web Templates · Build your own toolbar · Accept Credit Cards · Audio, Fonts, Clipart
powered by bravenet.com