Hancock's Half Hour Collectibles: Volume 1: Rarities from the BBC radio archive

During my mid-teens, I watched each episode of ‘Quatermass and the Pit’ while my mother, sister and grandmother were in another room ... it really was that scary at the time! Also being a great fan of Tony Hancock (who wasn’t?) I naturally watched the ‘Hancock’s Half Hour’ parody. I well remember being greatly disappointed to find, many years later, that it was one of the ‘wiped’ episodes; therefore its inclusion here, albeit only the soundtrack, is most welcome.I have given 5 stars because of the importance of the contents, the dedication and work put into this volume by the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society and the great enjoyment it gives, and will give, me and many others.That said, I must voice my disapproval on certain areas. In no particular order:1. The track details are on the internal face of the CD case, making parts difficult to read.2. The CDs are housed on a spindle, meaning that other CDs have to be removed when wishing to play any disc bar the top one. Even ‘The Missing Hancocks’ are housed in proper jewel cases.3. Why on Earth did ‘collectables’ have to appear as the American spelling ‘collectibles’? After all, ‘Hancock’s Half Hour’ is a British institution and, as such, should it not be protected from Americanisation?4. The title itself is a misnomer. ‘Hancock’s Half Hour’ episodes appear only on 2 of the 5 CDs, with a ‘Best of...’ programme included on CD5.5. The accompanying (excellent) booklet is included on CD1 in PDF format. Anyone without a PC cannot access this, including several friends of mine who are of a similar age. IT discrimination?But, please don’t think I’m being ungrateful or pettifogging (now there’s a Hancockism for you!). I would not be without this collection and neither should anyone else who has the slightest affection for Tony Hancock. Hence, despite my criticisms, I repeat ... FIVE STARS.

Recommend for fans of the lad himself. It's a collection of previous released "Hancocks Half Hour" radio show with "certain jokes" put back. I don't know when or why they were removed; but a good guess is that they weren't considered acceptable in later years. Plus a selection of Hancock material from other shows.For me the highlight is the soundtrack from the TV episode called "The Horror Serial". Hancock has been watching "Quatermass and the Pit" and he's completely freaked out. The discovery of a large metal cylinder buried in his backyard is the cue for "Dr.Hancock" to take a stand against possible alien invasion. If only the video still existed!

One of the best being just that. Some really good episodes and some interesting extras. If you're a Hancock fan this one's hard to turn down

Somehow the gods of comedy weren't smiling down on me! Apart from the fact one disc froze, (tho I overcame the problem), I found the selection, just not very funny or interesting. I am well aware that could just be grumpy old me, but Hancock at his best was/is terrific listening, and I found this collection lacking in classic material. With great respect...why include the TV episode "The Horror serial" It's a soundtrack and contains long pauses which on TV you have the pleasure of his facial expressions. Here I kept thinking the CD had frozen!! Also, I didn't find it very funny (Sacrilige AW). So it went on - "The Student Prince is again, not one of the funnier episodes, and the excerpts from some of his very early Radio Shows, whilst interesting (I always liked "Educating Archie" Why? Not really sure!), aren't prime examples of his work. Obviously I am in a very small minority of ONE, but it's an honest review of a great man's comedy output. Perhaps further volumes will show his talent to better advantage. 4 stars because this is potentially a very good idea and well presented, except that we should have had a paper booklet and the info inside the case is impossible to read without removing the discs, it just didn't hit my funny bone.

Excellent Hancock. Waited for years to hear these nostalgic shows from wireless radio. Five packed CD.'s in this neat little package at an Amazon bargain price encouraged me to buy Volume 2. A must for his many fans !