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Hancock's Half Hour: Season 1

Broadcast between 2nd November 1954 and 15th February 1955, this series comprised 16 episodes of which 10 survive. The series was broadcast on Tuesdays at 21:30 (except episode 15 which went out at 20:00). There were no immediate repeats. 


Cast comprised Tony Hancock, Bill Kerr, Moira Lister, Sidney James and Alan Simpson (except no. 6)

1

The First Night Party

Tuesday, 2 November 1954 at 21:30:00 UTC

In which Hancock throws a party to celebrate his new radio show and hires a venue from Sid. But just who is the owner?

2

The Diamond Ring

Tuesday, 9 November 1954 at 21:30:00 UTC

In which Hancock, begging 'a penny for the guy', finds a diamond ring in his takings. But Moira believes that the ring is for her and Hancock asks Sid to make a copy. But which ring is the original?

3

The Idol

Tuesday, 16 November 1954 at 21:30:00 UTC

In which Hancock receives a fan letter and it goes to his head. Moira and Bill arrange for the girls from the pickle factory to mob him but once they've started the question is how to stop them!

4

The Boxing Champion

Tuesday, 23 November 1954 at 21:30:00 UTC

In which Hancock is under orders to loose weight, goes to Sid's gym and accidentally knocks out Sid's boxing champion. So Sid enters Hancock into the championship instead.

5

The Hancock Festival

Tuesday, 30 November 1954 at 21:30:00 UTC

After listening to a Somerset Maugham play on the radio, Hancock takes to writing. This episode contains 3 of 'A. Somerset Hancock's' plays: 'The Moon and Fourpence Halfpenny', 'The Casino', and 'The Outpost'.

6

The New Car

Tuesday, 7 December 1954 at 21:30:00 UTC

In which Hancock buys a car from Sid but not only is it stolen, it is a police car!

7

The Department Store Santa

Tuesday, 14 December 1954 at 21:30:00 UTC

Hancock is forced to stop drawing unemployment benefit by the Ministry Of Labour and takes a job as Santa in Sid's department store.

8

Christmas at Aldershot

Tuesday, 21 December 1954 at 21:30:00 UTC

Hancock plans an extravagant Christmas. But then his and Bill's Z-reservist call-up papers arrive and they are faced with Christmas in the army under Sergeant James.

9

The Christmas Eve Party

Tuesday, 28 December 1954 at 21:30:00 UTC

Hancock holds a very noisy party and is brought to court by all of his neighbours. The episode presents (in flashback) Hancock's view of what took place as well as his neighbours' version of events.

10

Cinderella Hancock

Tuesday, 4 January 1955 at 21:30:00 UTC

In true pantomime fashion, Bill forces Hancock to do the housework and forbids him to go to the National Film Ball. However, he manages to escape and goes as Sheikh Aly Aga Khancock but his costume has to be back by midnight.

11

A Trip to France

Tuesday, 11 January 1955 at 21:30:00 UTC

Hancock longs to sample life across the English Channel and sets sail for France. But Sid has a spot of smuggling planned.

12

The Monte Carlo Rally

Tuesday, 18 January 1955 at 21:30:00 UTC

Hancock takes part in the Monte Carlo Rally but Sid provides the car - an 1896 model.

13

A House on the Cliff

Tuesday, 25 January 1955 at 21:30:00 UTC

Hancock decides that he wants to build his own house. The estate agent is Sid and Hancock ends up building 3 houses as well as a railway between them. But how stable is the cliff?

14

The Shekih

Tuesday, 1 February 1955 at 21:30:00 UTC

Hancock decides his future lies in films and takes up his first role in a film being shot in Sid's film studio..with the film shot with a box camera!

15

The Marriage Bureau

Tuesday, 8 February 1955 at 20:00:00 UTC

Hancock is offered a new job on the proviso that he is married. Hancock goes to the Sid James' Marriage Bureau to find a wife and ends up being left in charge.

16

The End of the Series

Tuesday, 15 February 1955 at 21:30:00 UTC

"It's the end of the series and all the cast reminisce on how they first met."

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