Hancock's Half Hour is a BBC radio comedy, and later television comedy, series of the 1950s and 60s written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. The series starred Tony Hancock, with Sid James; the radio version also co-starred, at various times, Moira Lister, Andrée Melly, Hattie Jacques, Bill Kerr and Kenneth Williams. The final television series, renamed simply Hancock, starred Hancock alone. Comedian Tony Hancock starred in the show, playing an exaggerated and much poorer version of his own character and lifestyle, Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock, a down-at-heel comedian living at the dilapidated 23 Railway Cuttings in East Cheam. The series was influential in the development of the situation comedy, with its move away from radio variety towards a focus on character development.
Hancock's Half Hour (Season 5)
The Economy Drive 0.0
Air date: 1959-09-25
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Hancock and Sid return from holiday to discover that Sid has failed to cancel any deliveries and has left every electrical appliance in the house on. Hancock decides that in order to make ends meet he and Sid must go on an economy drive. But Hancock soon encounters difficulties in the local self service café, and the stairs at home prove problematic as well.
The Two Murderers 0.0
Air date: 1959-10-02
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Sid asks Hancock to lend him the money to open a fish and chip shop but Hancock refuses. Sid tells Hancock that he'll get the money somehow, but how will he do it? Hancock believes that Sid is planning to murder him, but Sid is convinced that his own life is in danger.
Lord Byron Lived Here 0.0
Air date: 1959-10-09
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Hancock's house is falling down and needs a lot of work. In order for the National Trust to renovate it for him he needs to convince them that someone famous lived there. Sid shows Hancock evidence that Byron lived at Railway Cuttings. But is the poet Byron or someone more recent?
Twelve Angry Men 0.0
Air date: 1959-10-16
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Hancock is the foreman of the Jury and stands alone in declaring the petty criminal innocent. But when Sid discovers how much he is earning a day as a juror, he joins Hancock's side and sets about trying to convince the others.
The Train Journey 0.0
Air date: 1959-10-23
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Hancock is faced with a very long train journey to Giggleswick and decides to liven up the journey, but only succeeds in irritating all his fellow passengers.
The Cruise 0.0
Air date: 1959-10-30
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Hancock goes on a cruise but quickly becomes fed up when the only woman interested in him is large and over-amorous. However, when he becomes convinced that the ship is sinking he soon has other things on his mind.
The Big Night 0.0
Air date: 1959-11-06
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Hancock is really looking forward to a big night out with Sid and two girls. But his preparations turn to disaster when his shirt is ruined at the launderette and his barber doesn't have a steady hand with his razor.
The Tycoon 0.0
Air date: 1959-11-13
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Hancock is on the verge of ruin because his shares have plummeted in value. He attends a shareholder meeting but falls asleep and dreams of Sid who once again twists him.
Spanish Interlude 0.0
Air date: 1959-11-20
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Sid is struggling to find work for Hancock and the latest roles he has secured involve Hancock standing in national dress outside Indian restaurants. Hancock decides to try new locations and goes to Spain where he is unsuccessful as a nightclub comic. Penniless and unable to return home, Sid manages to find a new job for Hancock. The question is: how successful will he be as a bullfighter?
Football Pools 0.0
Air date: 1959-11-27
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Hancock only needs one more draw to secure the top payout on the Football Pools. As the match is a local one with a late kick-off, Hancock and Sid go along to cheer on each team equally.
Seasons
Episodes 6
Episodes 6
Episodes 12
Episodes 13
Episodes 10
Episodes 10
Episodes 6