BBC TV Series 6

Short trailer made for Australian TV in which Hancock discusses some of his possessions and introduces Sid James. This trailer survives in the BBC archive but has not received a DVD release to date. Cast was just Tony Hancock and Sid James. A copy can be hired from the DVD library.

First broadcast March 4, 1960

(with John Le Mesurier, Hugh Lloyd, Patricia Hayes, Anne Marryott, Richard Statman, Herbert Nelson and Tom Clegg)

Hancock has suffered from cold after cold during the winter and has tried all of the various medicines on the market. In desperation, he tries the local witch-doctor but she fails to ‘draw out the cold’.  So Sid persuades Hancock that a keep-fit course is required – but one with unexpected results.

First broadcast March 11, 1960

(with Hugh Lloyd, George Coulouris, Gordon Philpott, Tottie Trueman Taylor, Peggy Anne Clifford, Joanna Douglas, Kenneth Kove, Gibb McLaughlin, John Vyvyan, Alec Bregonzi, James Bulloch, Frank Littlewood and Ray Grover)

Hancock takes out a murder mystery book from the library. When he discovers that the last page is missing, he is determined to work out who the culprit is. But when he finds that it’s too complicated to work out he decides to track down a copy of the complete book.

First broadcast March 18, 1960

(with Brian Oulton, Gordon Sterne, Joe Enrikie, Alec Bregonzi, David Lander and John Bramley)

Hancock decides that he will emigrate but no-one will take him.  Knowing Sid’s past, he asks Sid for assistance but the ‘luxury cruise liner’ Sid arranges has a very short gang plank and a very unusual crew!

First broadcast March 25, 1960

(with Sidney Vivian, Hugh Lloyd, Eileen Way, Cardew Robinson, Laurie Webb, Clive Dunn and Robert Dorning)

Hancock decides to hold a reunion with his wartime pals. But a lot of time has elapsed since he last saw them and people do change!

First broadcast April 1, 1960

(with Joan Heal, Hugh Lloyd, Robert Dorning, James Bulloch, John Vyvyan, Vi Stevens, Peggy Ann Clifford, John Bramley, Douglas Robinson and Denny Dayviss)

Sid has fallen in love with the conductress of a 93 bus but he doesn’t know how to approach her. Seeking Hancock’s advice, Sid travels on the bus but his attempts cause chaos both with the conductress and the driver… who is her husband!

First broadcast April 8, 1960

(with Terence Alexander, Annabelle Lee, Herbert Nelson, Alec Bregonzi, Robert Dorning, Patrick Milner and Michael Earl)

Hancock and Sid decide to earn some extra cash by signing on as babysitters. The pleasant evening is spoiled when they start arguing over the TV and the baby starts crying. But who are those two extra visitors?

First broadcast April 15, 1960

(with Brian Oulton, Robert Dorning, Elizabeth Fraser, Annabelle Lee, Laura Thurlow, Honor Shepherd, Laurie Webb, Barbara Evans, Gwenda Ewan, Arthur Mullard, George Crowther, Herbert Nelson, Harry Robbins, Stan Simmons, John Vyvyan, Bert Waller and Eleanor Fazan)

Hancock has had no success with the ladies so he decides to enrol in a charm school course and dreams about the outcome. But when he leaves the school, the reality is a little different!

First broadcast April 22, 1960

(with William Kendall, Herbert Hare, Hugh Lloyd, Robert Dorning, Tottie Trueman Taylor, Laura Thurlow, Joanna Douglas, Edward Malin, Murray Kash, Laurie Webb, Anthony Shirvell, Michael Earl, Kenneth Firth, Phillip Howard, John Vyvyan and Ann Bassett)

Hancock has broken his ancient camera so he decides to invest in the latest technology.  His attempts to take shots of diners in a restaurant end up with him being thrown out.  With the first payment on the equipment due, he needs a photo of an incident to sell to the local papers… but Sid’s idea involving Hancock as the subject go badly wrong!

First broadcast April 29, 1960

(with Robert Dorning, Cameron Hall, Hugh Lloyd, James Bulloch, Edward Malin, Lala Lloyd, Evelyn Lund, Brian Oulton, Leslie Perrins, Anne Marryott, Sidney Vivian, John Snagge, Astor Sklair, Sylvia Osborn, Frank Littlewood, George Crowther, Herbert Nelson, John Vyvyan, John Bramley, Michael Earl, James Langley, Michael Phillips and John Bosch)

It’s the centenary of the Borough of East Cheam and Hancock has arranged for the BBC to have exclusive TV rights to the celebratory procession. Unfortunately, the mayor has sold exclusive rights to ITV and the route of the procession doesn’t go past Hancock’s house where the BBC have set up.  Hancock is forced to take drastic steps and provide his own procession at short notice!

First broadcaster May 6, 1960

(with Patricia Hayes, John Welsh, Anna Churcher, Tottie Truman Taylor and Andrew Lieven)

Hancock is upset by a steady stream of unpleasant letters. But when the police keep a watch on the postbox where the letters are being posted, Sid discovers that Hancock has been writing the letters to himself… in his sleep!