TV Express scrapbook: Eric Sykes part 2

 (* © TV Publications Ltd.)

TV Express scrapbook: Eric Sykes part 1

Eric Sykes is one of the few remaining writers of the Associated London Scripts group who helped create the golden age of British radio comedy - The Goons, Hancock's Half Hour, etc. - and some of television's finest moments. A good outline of Sykes' career can be found on Wikipedia but here I'm concerned with a couple of things that appeared in TV Express. The first article speaks for itself...

TV Express Scrapbook: Tony Hancock and Sid James

More features on the stars of yesterday from the pages of TV Express, these two relating to the comedians Tony Hancock and Sidney James.

The two had been working together for years on Hancock's Half-Hour and had made the successful switch to television together. But with the end of the TV show's sixth series, James was dumped by Hancock who feared that he and James would be seen as a double act.

TV Express Scrapbook: Gerry Anderson

Today's scrapbook pages are a couple of features about Gerry Anderson shows, Four Feather Falls and Supercar.

(* © TV Publications Ltd.)

TV Express Scrapbook: No Hiding Place

'No Hiding Place' was based on the long-running TV series which was broadcast between 1959 and 1967, a total of 236 episodes. The show starred Raymond Francis as Det. Chief Supt. Tom Lockhart and Eric Lander as Det. Sgt. Harry Baxter, who were also the stars of the comic strip. After 140 episodes, Lander was replaced in 1964 by Johnny Briggs as Det. Sgt. Russell.

The strip version of 'No Hiding

TV Express Scrapbook: Col. Pinto

More art by Ron Embleton following up yesterday's 'Biggles' strip. The strip actually makes an error from the very beginning -- Oreste Pinto's rank was Lieutenant-Colonel, not Colonel as ascribed by TV Express, although I learn from Wikipedia that Lt.-Col. is often shortened unofficially to Col. You can find out more about Pinto if you scroll down.

     (* © TV Publications Ltd.)

TV Express Scrapbook: Biggles

Here are a couple of scans from the pages of TV Express from 1960 introducing the Biggles strip that began running in 1960. The artwork is by Ron Embleton and followed on from his work on 'Battleground' and 'Wulf the Briton' (which came to an end on the rear cover of issue 306, hence 'Biggles' appearing only on the front). Embleton was working at the top of game at this time -- was he ever off