Tony's Radio Shows

"Forces All-Star Bill" - First Series

This show immediately replaced "Calling All Forces", filling the same slot - Mondays, 2100-2200, on the BBC Light Programme (no repeats). The compere changed weekly.

15-9-52

Transmission :Hancock appeared, as compere in the 7th programme, transmitted on 15th September 1952.It was recorded the previous day (14-9-52).

Cast : Also appearing were Joy Nichols, The Five Smith Brothers, Dick James, Winifred Atwell, Fred Yule, Graham Stark, The George Mitchell Glee Club and the BBC Augmented Dance Orchestra conducted by Stanley Black.

Script by Spike Milligan and Larry Stephens.

Produced by Dennis Main Wilson.

"All-Star Bill"

This series took over the same slot after eight editions of "Forces All-Star Bill". The compere changed weekly.

13-10-52

Transmission : Hancock appeared as compere in the 3rd edition, on 13th October 1952. It was recorded the previous day (12-10-52).

Cast : The show also starred Edmund Hockridge, The Beverley Sisters, Stephan  Grappelli, The Hedley Ward Trio, Graham Stark, The George Mitchell Glee Club and the BBC Dance Orchestra conducted by Stanley Black.

Script by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.

Produced by Dennis Main Wilson.

"Forces All-Star Bill" - Second Series

This series replaced "All-Star Bill" after 13 editions, but in a new slot - Tuesdays 2000-2100 on the Light Programme. It was transmitted fortnightly, alternating with "The Forces Show" (with Richard Murdoch, Kenneth Horne and Sam Costa).

Forces All-Star Bill : Second Series. January - May 1953
Show No.Broadcast DateCast List
16-1-53 Ted Ray (compere), with Tony Hancock, Graham Stark, and Joan Heal; and Josef Locke, Betty Driver, Kenny Baker, The George Mitchell Glee Club, and Stanley Black and his Concert Orchestra.
2 20-1-53 No compere (the show was in effect compered by the announcer, Robin Boyle), with Tony Hancock, Graham Stark and Joan Heal; and Bonar Colleano, Zoe Gail, Edmund Hockridge, Stephan  Grappelli and musicians as in the first show.
3 3-2-53 # without Hancock #
4 17-2-53 # without Hancock #
5 3-3-53 Michael Howard (compere), with Tony Hancock, Graham Stark and Joan Heal; and Anne Shelton, Dick James, and musicians as in the first show.
6 17-3-53 Bonar Colleano (compere), with Tony Hancock, Graham Stark and Joan Heal; and Josef Locke, Mary Small, The Three Monarchs and musicians as in the first show.
7 31-3--53 # See below for regular cast # with guests : Terence de Marney, The Beverley Sisters, Jimmy Young and Monia Liter.
8 14-4--53 # See below for regular cast # with guests : John Slater, Wilbur Evans, Tessie O'Shea, and Harold Smart.
9 28-4-53 # See below for regular cast # with guests : Dennis Price, Rawicz and Landauer, Muriel Smith, and The Five Smith Brothers.
10 12-5-53 # See below for regular cast # with guests : Max Bygraves, Bruce Trent, Jean Carson, and The Ray Ellington Quartet.
11 26-5-53 # See below for regular cast # with guests : Arthur Askey, Vanessa Lee, The Radio Revellers, and Eddie Calvert.

Transmission : Tuesdays, 2000-2100, fortnightly, BBC Light Programme. Repeated Saturdays, 1155, fortnightly, BBC Home Service. Recorded the previous Sunday.

Regular cast : # For show number 7 and until the end of the series (show number 11), there was no compere. The regular team was : Tony Hancock, Graham Stark and Geraldine McEwan; with the George Mitchell Glee Club; and Stanley Black and his Concert Orchestra.

Scripts (for the entire series) by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson

Produced by Dennis Main Wilson (Nos. 1-6) ; Alistair Scott-Johnston (Nos. 7-11).

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