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Hancock's Half Hour: Season 2

Broadcast between 19th April 1955 and 5th July 1955, this series comprised 12 episodes of which just 5 survive. The series was broadcast on Tuesdays at 21:30 (except episode 2 which aired at 20:00) with a Sunday repeat at 15:00 (except episode 10, which was replaced by a further repeat of episode 7 because of an unfortunate topical reference). 


Cast comprised Tony Hancock (except episodes 1 -3), Bill Kerr, Sidney James, Andree Melly, Kenneth Williams and Alan Simpson (except no. 10)

1

A Holiday in France

Tuesday, 19 April 1955 at 21:30:00 UTC

Harry Secombe and Bill leave for a holiday in Southend but they get on the wrong train and end up in Paris where they first meet Andree.

2

The Crown Jewels

Tuesday, 26 April 1955 at 20:00:00 UTC

As Hancock is absent, Bill is staying with Harry Secombe. They decide to show Andree the sights of London but get caught up in Sid's plot to steal the Crown Jewels.

3

The Racehorse

Tuesday, 3 May 1955 at 21:30:00 UTC

Harry has 10 bob left so Bill decides to spend it on a racehorse. The fact that it only has three legs doesn't deter Sid from entering it in the Britannia Steeplechase.

4

A Visit to Swansea

Tuesday, 10 May 1955 at 21:30:00 UTC

Hancock returns and finds Bill and Andree in his flat. He agrees to thank Harry Secombe for standing in for him so they head off to Swansea and find Harry down a coalmine.

5

The Holiday Camp

Tuesday, 17 May 1955 at 21:30:00 UTC

Hancock starts work for Sid running Sid's holiday camp...but it's a converted army camp on an active artillery practice range.

6

The Chef That Died Of Shame

Tuesday, 24 May 1955 at 21:30:00 UTC

The cast play the parts in the story of 'Iggins, a cook, who becomes a well respected chef but subsequently fails and looses everything due to drink.

7

Prime Minister Hancock

Tuesday, 31 May 1955 at 21:30:00 UTC

Hancock stands for Parliament and dreams that he has been elected and becomes Prime Minister.

8

The Rail Strike

Tuesday, 7 June 1955 at 21:30:00 UTC

This was one of the most topical shows broadcast as there was a national rail strike taking place at the time the episode was broadcast. In the episode, Sid and Hancock decide to run their own train pulled by the original 'Rocket' stolen from the Science Museum. They head to Brighton but only get as far as Battersea.

9

The Television Set

Tuesday, 14 June 1955 at 21:30:00 UTC

Hancock can't afford to buy a television set from the shops so buys a DIY build your own TV kit from Sid. After some help from the 3 year old boy from next door, the set works. But then Hancock's other neighbour arrives�

10

The Three Sons

Tuesday, 21 June 1955 at 21:30:00 UTC

This episode tells the story of old Ebidiah Hancock and his three sons, all of whom are played by Hancock. There's Rodney (in the Navy), Gideon (a gangster) and Anthony (a doctor).

11

The Marrow Contest

Tuesday, 28 June 1955 at 21:30:00 UTC

In which Hancock has grown what he hopes is a prize winning marrow. But before he can enter it into the Council's vegetable competition, it is threatened with Mayor Sid James' road widening scheme.

12

The Matador

Tuesday, 5 July 1955 at 21:30:00 UTC

Hancock is looking for a cheap holiday and asks Sid for advice. Sid's suggests Spain but he has an ulterior motive because he is looking for a bullfighter!

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