CHRISTMAS AT ALDERSHOT

Hancock's Half Hour (Radio) First Series - Programme 8

Hancock's plans for a luxurious Christmas are upset by the arrival of his and Bill's Z-reservist call-up papers. They face the prospect of an Army Christmas under Sergeant James.

Cast
Tony Hancock
Bill Kerr
Moira Lister
Sidney James
Alan Simpson
Kenneth Williams

Programme Guide

Another programme threaded with a Christmas theme.

Hancock and Bill are served their reservist call-up papers. So, it's back to the Army for our reluctant heroes and, far from enjoying the Yuletide festivities, they have to contemplate the prospect of a cold, cold Christmas, under the watchful eye of Sergeant Sid James.

Galton and Simpson may have formed the idea for this show out of the feature film that Tony and Sid made earlier that year: "Orders are Orders". If this had been the fourth radio series, Bill Kerr would have been eligible, no doubt, to rejoin the Royal Australian Mounted Kangaroos. However, in the early series, Bill was Hancock's "clever" friend. Whilst displaying "wise guy" tendencies, he was, nevertheless, nearly as gullible as Hancock when it came to Sid's schemes, only cottoning on to the confidence trick just before Hancock did.

Bill, who was originally characterised as the same as Hancock, was gradually written down until he became, more or less, a brainless dolt, from whom Hancock could score points. Even then, it was never quite as simple as that. Within the dictates of any given plot, Bill might be required to perform outside his normal characteristics simply to fit the storyline. This elasticity of form was necessary; it provided the unpredictability to keep the interest of the audience, which it did.

As Bill's character slowly evolved to become more and more a "witless wonder", it could be seen that more laughs could be gained at Bill's expense. In addition, when Bill's character was firmly defined as a "dolt", Bill Kerr the actor gave his best performances of the radio series. The quality of writing and performing was such that Bill the simpleton, was, at times, given to displaying child-like qualities of innocence that were not only pure in their simplicity, but also fine moments of comic skill. Bill Kerr's part in "Hancock's Half Hour" is often overlooked, but his contribution should not be underrated.

It is not as easy as it appears to be convincing as an innocent, but Bill Kerr achieved this without becoming tiresome, or falling into the trap of going over the top, to become an unsympathetic moron. Whilst comparisons should really be avoided, surely Stan Laurel at his innocent best would not have been shamed by Bill's best preformances.

Copyright © THAS 2001