Mailbag

Craig Stewart

I have just visited the Official Tony Hancock Appreciation pages on the Web, and I think they are excellent. A great job has been done and I hope it leads to even greater admiration for The Lads irrepressible work. I have been an avid Hancock fan ever since I first heard two radio repeats back in the early 80's as a young teenager. Since then I have built up a collection of 34 half hours, not bad, since only 103 were ever produced. But, as ever, I would like to hear more. Personally I much prefer his radio work to his TV appearances; the interaction of Hancock with Sid, Bill, Kenneth and Hattie were never equalled on his TV work. Radio also allows a bit more of one's own interpretation.

Has a Hancock's Half Hour 7 BBC Collections tape just come out ? If so, which episodes does it include ?

Yes, the tape, Hancock's Half Hour 7, consists of: "Hancock's Happy Christmas", "The Emigrant", "Hancock's School" and "Hancock's Car". We have details of this and all other BBC audio and video cassettes on the market. - Nigel.

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Brian Booth, Canada

The first issue of INTERNET HAM is brilliant, what can I say, keep up the GREAT work. I like the idea of publishing footnotes to explain the context of historical references. I'm old enough (46) to remember the events of the time but I can see how others may be confused. My wife is from Hong Kong (speaks English like Benny Hill) and of course she has been bombarded with Hancock since we met, and she is always asking me what stuff means, (try explaining a "punch up the bracket" and "slap and tickle" to someone whose first languages not English), so footnotes would really help.

I also have to agree that "The Radio Ham" and "The Blood Donor" are not Hancock's greatest works. "The Economy Drive", "The Lift", "The Reunion", "Lord Byron Lived Here", "The Poison Pen Letters" are all better in my humble opinion. And I also have to agree that the radio shows are better than the TV shows, the TV scripts were fine but I think the infancy of TV contributed to the poor quality of some of the shows. For example, the scene in "The Economy Drive" where Hancock's tray has moved ahead and he is pitching bread rolls at it is done very poorly, you can hardly see what is happening, no fault of Hancock's of course, just poor production, I guess they hadn't learnt how to do the cuts properly at that time.

Moving on...I was disappointed with the copy of "The Punch and Judy Man" that I had bought (along with "The Rebel" on the same tape) because a lot of the footage had been cut out. I think the version of "The Rebel" on that tape is also cut up a bit. I seem to remember Oliver Reed had created robotic painting machines that were stimulated by music and they end up killing him, this was not in the copy I have. I may be mistaken, it may be from another movie, but I can't help feeling that I don't have an uncut copy.

- Can anyone else remember these robotic painting machines? - if so let me know. Also, Hancock made Galton & Simpson cut a scene from The Rebel which had Sid James putting in an appearance - does anyone know what this scene was? - Nigel.

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Jill and Richard Whitfield, Australia

We are both very interested in Tony Hancock and would like to know how we could join the society? Are their any other members in Australia? We found you on the internet and are very pleased with what we have seen so far. There are many Hancock supporters here in Australia. As oversees members would we be able to borrow some the unique material you have in your collection. Had you considered posting a list of email addresses of THAS members? This could be greatly appreciated especially by members not in the UK I would be interested in your comments

Looking forward too your reply

Laurence Watson, USA

I'm an ex-pat Brit (been in the USA for 13 years now). My kids go to bed each night listening to Hancock's Half Hour episodes; we take them on road trips and when we stay at hotels. I have all the BBC-issued tapes and cassettes, and also some I recorded off-air back in the late 70s. However, I have lost some prized episodes over the years. I can't fathom out why the Beeb only releases an episode or two every half century. I'll be dead long before they release even half of the archive. You guys seem to have an amazing number of lost episodes. Did you do a raid on Broadcasting House ? Any chance of getting hold of copies ? Anyway, glad to see fellow Hancock fans, and keep up the good work with your Web site.

Andy Thomas, UK

At last I have found heaven, please will you tell me how I can get access to your audio tapes, I never new that Hancock had made so many shows. I would love to have some, I have been after THE CAR for years "knock down those horrible chickens" .I look forward to hear from you.
JOYSALIN KNOCKERSBERRY A TYPIST FROM UNO.

Dave Francis, USA

Hello Nigel.. my name is Dave and I'm from the U.S. I would like to know, if you can help me out, if there is anywhere I can order these audio tapes of Tony Hancock....my father was born in Liverpool and loves to listen to Tony...but can't find the tapes over here.. if you can get back to me with some info on this I would appreciate it...thnx

As you can see, I've had lots of e-mails asking me where you can get Hancock tapes from. The answer is to join the Society. As a member, you'll have access to the comprehensive THAS archives of audio and video tapes. THAS also has a video tape library in Canada for the US and Canadian TV format. If living outside the UK makes joining THAS and hiring tapes difficult then drop the THAS President a line. Perhaps you could start a THAS branch or cassette library in your country - Nigel.

Other e-mails about the site

Mick Curtis, UK

Hi - just thought I'd drop a line - the original THAS web page was good, but "The Internet Ham" is a superb idea, and, on the evidence of it's first issue, full of promise - keep up the good work.

Steve Arnold, UK

Excellent, a gripping read, etc. etc...I managed to read the lot last night, and long live the Ham. I read and thoroughly enjoyed the "New Shoes" script. Do you have any more? I hope to be able to see these 'found' scripts in the not too distant future.

Blair Pinder, Canada

I just discovered the THAS on the Internet and am relieved that the Information Highway does indeed have a reason for being. I have been a Hancock fan for over thirty-five years and constantly listen to the audio tapes of his shows while working. (I often find myself speaking "Hancock-like" to my friends). I will be sending in an application form to join the society as soon as possible. My wife and I will be visiting England this May, and one of the MUST things I do is look for more Hancock memorabilia. I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and can assure you there are many more Hancock fans here. I shall be visiting this site often and thank you and others for keeping it going.

Andy Hull, USA

Wonderful! What a delight to find your home page whilst surfing the web. Not much chance of seeing Hancock here in sunny southern California. Keep up the good work, looking forward to the next issue