40 Episodes from Series 9-13 of the Classic BBC Radio Comedy

Take It From Here: The Later Years

Vintage shenanigans from the much-loved classic radio show starring Jimmy Edwards, June Whitfield and Dick Bentley 
 
Take It from Here (first broadcast between 1948 and 1960) was one of the most influential radio shows of all time, sweeping in a new era of comedy and introducing an enduring pair of writers: bright young things Frank Muir and Denis Norden. Their literate scripts, and the madcap adventures of the show's stars - Dick Bentley, Jimmy Edwards, Joy Nichols, June Whitfield and Alma Cogan - ensured 11 years of classic capers. The show is best remembered for introducing The Glums, who featured regularly. In 1959, Muir and Norden moved into writing for television, and the BBC brought in the now legendary writers Barry Took and Eric Merriman for the final season. 
 
This Later Years collection features 40 surviving episodes from Series 9 to 13. 
 
©2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P)2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Eric Merriman

Ian Carmichael

Joan Sims

Hugh Paddick

A Vintage BBC Radio 4 Comedy

The complete series of the fast-moving 1960s sketch show 
 
A leading light of British stage and screen from the 1950s onwards, Ian Carmichael made a career out of playing the amiable, bumbling nincompoop in films such as Private's Progress and I'm All Right Jack, and TV shows including Bachelor Father and The World of Wooster. This dithering persona was expanded and amplified in his first radio comedy, Play It Cool. 
 
Written in 1964 by Beyond Our Ken's Eric Merriman, it sees him joined by Carry On's Joan Sims and radio veteran Hugh Paddick (Beyond Our Ken, Round the Horne) for a series that mixes music and comedy to provide a slice of 1960s cool. 
 
These six episodes feature a plethora of comic characters, and situations ranging from the potty to the pompous. Join our frolicsome trio as they send up big business and women's magazines; expose the behind-the scenes worlds of ballroom dancing and boxing; and turn the pages of history back to the Edwardian era in 'Scrapheap of 1907'. There's also international affairs, revealing tales of Hollywood, and the life of William Shakespeare - plus an insight into what might happen if the Cannes Film Festival came to Britain... 
 
Light-hearted, witty and slyly satirical, this sparkling series showcases all three of our comedy stars' skills, ably assisted by guest stars Gordon Faith and Anthony Sagar. Musical interludes are provided by Rosemary Squires, The Mike Sammes Singers and The Ken Thorne Orchestra. 
 
Production credits 
Written by Eric Merriman 
Starring Ian Carmichael, Joan Sims and Hugh Paddick 
With Gordon Faith and Anthony Sagar 
Produced by John Simmonds 
With music from Rosemary Squires, The Mike Sammes Singers and The Ken Thorne Orchestra 
 
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme, 26 July-30 August 1964 
 
© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Eric Merriman

Books by Eric Merriman

Series by Eric Merriman

Take It From Here

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