Hancock's Half Hour - "The Blood Donor" (06-23-61)

The Blood Donor (Aired June 23, 1961)

The series broke from the variety tradition dominant in British radio comedy into the sitcom or Situation comedy genre. Instead of sketches, guest stars and musical interludes, humour developed from the characters and situations. Hancock's experiences were based in reality and observation. From the playlet "Look Back In Hunger" in The East Cheam Drama Festival episode, Galton and Simpson showed they were in touch with developments in the British theatre, the use of sighs and silent pauses in common with the work of Harold Pinter which began to emerge towards the end of the series' run. The measured pacing of these episodes were groundbreaking in the days of fast-talking Ted Ray, where every second of airtime had to be filled.

THIS EPISODE:

June 23, 1961. "The Blood Donor" - BBC Network. Anthony Hancock arrives at his local hospital to give blood. "It was either that or join the Young Conservatives", he tells the nurse (Whitfield), before getting into an argument with her about whether British blood is superior to other types. Tony Hancock, Patrick Cargill, Hugh Lloyd, Frank Thornton and June Whitfield, Suzy Aitchison as the nurse. Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, and was produced by Duncan Wood. 26:12. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.