Post by T Morgan on Feb 14, 2021 17:40:39 GMT
This series ran for 12 years on BBC Radio, from 1949 to 1961, yet only 25 episodes appear to survive in the BBC Archives - I am assuming that the only shows which have been repeated in recent years are the only ones which survive. See BBC Radio 4 Extra - Ray's a Laugh.
These are the episodes listed on the BBC programme website:
From 11/10/49
Ted is 'gonged' and argues with Kitty, and reporter George blunders again.
From 25/10/1949
Ted's horoscope is astoundingly accurate and George tries to solve a mystery.
From 01/11/1949
Ted and Kitty bicker over too much toothpaste, plus news of a curious will.
From 08/11/1949
Ted's wife Kitty buys a dog, while George interviews a double-octogenarian.
From 15/11/1949
Ted and Kitty quarrel over her frock and reporter George gets festive.
From 22/11/1949
Ted puts money on Kitty's dream and reporter George chases down a forger.
From 6/12/1949
Kitty suspects Ted is having an affair and reporter George dons disguise.
From 17/01/1950
Ted's wife Kitty goes to the sales while George chases a film star around Waterloo.
From 21/09/1950 (also held by British Library)
Ted and Kitty return from their holidays and George solves an art theft.
From 01/04/1954 (also held by British Library)
Ted and wife Kitty wrestle with finding a new cleaner.
From 03/10/1958
Will Ted be able to get over the shock after a new employee arrives?
From 17/10/1958
Ted wants to make some home improvements but can he manage to get a loan?
From 24/10/58
Ted needs new golf clubs, but the only way he can afford them is via cigarette coupons.
From 31/10/1958
Ted is feeling insecure. Maybe body building will increase his self-esteem?
From 05/12/1958
With a new dress code at work, can Ted live up to the sartorial rules?
From 02/01/1959
A clerical error means Ted thinks his bachelor days have returned.
From 16/01/1959
Ted is feeling very nervous. Why would a solicitor want to pay him a visit at home?
From 23/01/1959
After the loss of a family album, Kitty wants to recapture the past, so Ted buys a camera.
From 30/01/1959
Will Ted be able to cope when things take a decidedly chilly turn? With Kitty Bluett.
From 06/02/1959
Concerned about Ted’s memory, Kitty sends him to a hypnotist - with dramatic results.
From 13/02/1959
Ted decides to try and keep hens, but first the eggs hatch some surprises. From 1959.
From 27/02/1959
When Kitty enters a dress-making competition, she ends up with more than just one dummy.
From 13/03/1959
Ted plans to make a fortune by selling cider made to his mother-in-law’s secret recipe.
From 20/03/1959
Ted goes racing when a fortune-teller says someone with the initial ‘T’ will make money.
From 29/01/1960
When Kitty hears about Ted's raise, she wants to splash out.
Also surviving:
27/09/1949 (held in BBC Archives)
03/12/1953 (excerpts held by British Library)
30/10/1960 (excerpt held by British Library)
18/12/1960 (almost complete, at British Library: "Amateur recording of transmission. Recording is in two segments with a few seconds missed at tape change.")
15/01/1961 (second half only - off air recording held by British Library)
My interest stems from my research into Bob and Alf Pearson, a well-known musical act from this era. They were regulars on RAL from 1949 to 1951, after which the series lost the 'variety' element and became more of a traditional sitcom. The surviving shows offer a chance to hear the Pearsons performing on radio in their prime. It seems to have been something of a comeback for them, and led to a new record contract with Parlophone. On RAL, they often perform the same songs they were releasing on 78rpm singles at the time, so it's nice to hear them doing those 'live' as a comparison to the commercial recordings. From that era, only nine episodes "officially" survive from RAL. I've been ordering everything available featuring the Pearsons from the BBC Archives (on behalf of their family, via Contributor Access), and I'm told there might be a tenth episode from that period, so I'll await finding out.
I recently came across the Global British Comedy Collaborative when searching for Ray's a Laugh episodes. They also have an episode dated 27-Sep-1949 listed. I managed to make contact with the site owner, who sent me a copy of that episode, which is now the earliest known edition. It sounds quite low-fi compared to what the BBC have from that era, and I suspect it's an off-air reel-to-reel recording (the filename suggests it's reel-to-reel). It is listenable, but lacks the clarity of the BBC Archives episodes, which are still of broadcast quality. Those sound like they were recorded direct to disc on wax/metal masters, hence there is some low-level crackling, and the disc can be heard sticking on one episode. There's a big gap from 1951 to 1954.
I wonder if anyone else is aware of more RAL episodes? The main point of interest nowadays is the appearance of Peter Sellers in the cast. In the first series, he appears as a very camp, innuendo-laden character called Crystal Jollybottom. There's a good article on Ted Ray, including RAL, at Laughter Log.
It's a pity the BBC have only released four episodes commercially, on cassette, way back in 1990. I did email the BBC to ask if they could release more, but I got a bog-standard reply saying "we have no plans to release this series". CD releases probably wouldn't be commercially viable, but couldn't they do CD-quality digital downloads of such material, for those who wanted them? The whole series is now public domain anyway.
From Laughter Log, an episode guide:
Sketch show/sitcom with Ted Ray, Kitty Bluett (series 1-5,8-12), Patricia Hayes (series 1-5), Peter Sellers (series 1-6), Kenneth Connor (series 5-12).
script by Ronnie Hanbury (series 1), Eddie Maguire (series 1-5), Ted Ray (series 1-6), George Wadmore (series 1-7), Sid Colin (series 6-7), Talbot Rothwell (series 7), Charles Hart & Bernard Botting (series 8-12)
Series 1: Home Service, Mondays, 4 April to 30 May 1949
and Tuesdays, 7 June 1949 to 27 June 1950 (65 x30 mins)
Series 2: Home Service, Thursdays, 21 September 1950 to 26 July 1951 (45 x 30 mins)
Special: Ted And Kitty’s Christmas: Home Service, Monday, 25 December 1950 (30 mins)
Series 3: Home Service, Thursdays, 1 November 1951 to 17 July 1952 (not Feb 7 or 14) (36 x 30 mins)
Series 4: Home Service, Thursdays, 25 December 1952 to 25 June 1953 (27 x 30 mins)
Special: Ted And Kitty’s Easter Outing: Home Service, Monday, 6 April 1953 (30 mins)
Special: from National Radio Show: Home Service, Thursday, 3 September 1953 (30 mins)
Series 5: Home Service, Thursdays, 1 October 1953 to 29 April 1954 (31 x 30 min)
Series 6: retitled Ted Ray Time: Home Service, Mondays, 25 October 1954 to 18 April 1955 (26 x 30 mins)
Series 7: Home Service, Thursdays, 13 October 1955 to 5 April 1956 (26 x 30 mins)
Series 8: Light Programme, Thursdays, 25 October 1956 to 18 April 1957 (26 x 30 mins)
Series 9: Light Programme, Fridays, 4 October 1957 to 28 March 1958 (26 x 30 mins)
Series 10: Light Programme, Fridays, 26 September 1958 to 20 March 1959 (26 x 30 mins)
Series 11: Light Programme, Fridays, 11 September 1959 to 4 March 1960 (26 x 30 mins)
Series 12: Light Programme, Fridays, 2 September 1960 to 13 January 1961 (20 x 30 mins)
So I make that a total of 383 episodes, of which 26 are in the BBC Archives. Surely there must be more out there. The British Library have transcription discs of two episodes, but both are also held by the BBC. There could easily have been more sent abroad, perhaps?
These are the episodes listed on the BBC programme website:
From 11/10/49
Ted is 'gonged' and argues with Kitty, and reporter George blunders again.
From 25/10/1949
Ted's horoscope is astoundingly accurate and George tries to solve a mystery.
From 01/11/1949
Ted and Kitty bicker over too much toothpaste, plus news of a curious will.
From 08/11/1949
Ted's wife Kitty buys a dog, while George interviews a double-octogenarian.
From 15/11/1949
Ted and Kitty quarrel over her frock and reporter George gets festive.
From 22/11/1949
Ted puts money on Kitty's dream and reporter George chases down a forger.
From 6/12/1949
Kitty suspects Ted is having an affair and reporter George dons disguise.
From 17/01/1950
Ted's wife Kitty goes to the sales while George chases a film star around Waterloo.
From 21/09/1950 (also held by British Library)
Ted and Kitty return from their holidays and George solves an art theft.
From 01/04/1954 (also held by British Library)
Ted and wife Kitty wrestle with finding a new cleaner.
From 03/10/1958
Will Ted be able to get over the shock after a new employee arrives?
From 17/10/1958
Ted wants to make some home improvements but can he manage to get a loan?
From 24/10/58
Ted needs new golf clubs, but the only way he can afford them is via cigarette coupons.
From 31/10/1958
Ted is feeling insecure. Maybe body building will increase his self-esteem?
From 05/12/1958
With a new dress code at work, can Ted live up to the sartorial rules?
From 02/01/1959
A clerical error means Ted thinks his bachelor days have returned.
From 16/01/1959
Ted is feeling very nervous. Why would a solicitor want to pay him a visit at home?
From 23/01/1959
After the loss of a family album, Kitty wants to recapture the past, so Ted buys a camera.
From 30/01/1959
Will Ted be able to cope when things take a decidedly chilly turn? With Kitty Bluett.
From 06/02/1959
Concerned about Ted’s memory, Kitty sends him to a hypnotist - with dramatic results.
From 13/02/1959
Ted decides to try and keep hens, but first the eggs hatch some surprises. From 1959.
From 27/02/1959
When Kitty enters a dress-making competition, she ends up with more than just one dummy.
From 13/03/1959
Ted plans to make a fortune by selling cider made to his mother-in-law’s secret recipe.
From 20/03/1959
Ted goes racing when a fortune-teller says someone with the initial ‘T’ will make money.
From 29/01/1960
When Kitty hears about Ted's raise, she wants to splash out.
Also surviving:
27/09/1949 (held in BBC Archives)
03/12/1953 (excerpts held by British Library)
30/10/1960 (excerpt held by British Library)
18/12/1960 (almost complete, at British Library: "Amateur recording of transmission. Recording is in two segments with a few seconds missed at tape change.")
15/01/1961 (second half only - off air recording held by British Library)
My interest stems from my research into Bob and Alf Pearson, a well-known musical act from this era. They were regulars on RAL from 1949 to 1951, after which the series lost the 'variety' element and became more of a traditional sitcom. The surviving shows offer a chance to hear the Pearsons performing on radio in their prime. It seems to have been something of a comeback for them, and led to a new record contract with Parlophone. On RAL, they often perform the same songs they were releasing on 78rpm singles at the time, so it's nice to hear them doing those 'live' as a comparison to the commercial recordings. From that era, only nine episodes "officially" survive from RAL. I've been ordering everything available featuring the Pearsons from the BBC Archives (on behalf of their family, via Contributor Access), and I'm told there might be a tenth episode from that period, so I'll await finding out.
I recently came across the Global British Comedy Collaborative when searching for Ray's a Laugh episodes. They also have an episode dated 27-Sep-1949 listed. I managed to make contact with the site owner, who sent me a copy of that episode, which is now the earliest known edition. It sounds quite low-fi compared to what the BBC have from that era, and I suspect it's an off-air reel-to-reel recording (the filename suggests it's reel-to-reel). It is listenable, but lacks the clarity of the BBC Archives episodes, which are still of broadcast quality. Those sound like they were recorded direct to disc on wax/metal masters, hence there is some low-level crackling, and the disc can be heard sticking on one episode. There's a big gap from 1951 to 1954.
I wonder if anyone else is aware of more RAL episodes? The main point of interest nowadays is the appearance of Peter Sellers in the cast. In the first series, he appears as a very camp, innuendo-laden character called Crystal Jollybottom. There's a good article on Ted Ray, including RAL, at Laughter Log.
It's a pity the BBC have only released four episodes commercially, on cassette, way back in 1990. I did email the BBC to ask if they could release more, but I got a bog-standard reply saying "we have no plans to release this series". CD releases probably wouldn't be commercially viable, but couldn't they do CD-quality digital downloads of such material, for those who wanted them? The whole series is now public domain anyway.
From Laughter Log, an episode guide:
Sketch show/sitcom with Ted Ray, Kitty Bluett (series 1-5,8-12), Patricia Hayes (series 1-5), Peter Sellers (series 1-6), Kenneth Connor (series 5-12).
script by Ronnie Hanbury (series 1), Eddie Maguire (series 1-5), Ted Ray (series 1-6), George Wadmore (series 1-7), Sid Colin (series 6-7), Talbot Rothwell (series 7), Charles Hart & Bernard Botting (series 8-12)
Series 1: Home Service, Mondays, 4 April to 30 May 1949
and Tuesdays, 7 June 1949 to 27 June 1950 (65 x30 mins)
Series 2: Home Service, Thursdays, 21 September 1950 to 26 July 1951 (45 x 30 mins)
Special: Ted And Kitty’s Christmas: Home Service, Monday, 25 December 1950 (30 mins)
Series 3: Home Service, Thursdays, 1 November 1951 to 17 July 1952 (not Feb 7 or 14) (36 x 30 mins)
Series 4: Home Service, Thursdays, 25 December 1952 to 25 June 1953 (27 x 30 mins)
Special: Ted And Kitty’s Easter Outing: Home Service, Monday, 6 April 1953 (30 mins)
Special: from National Radio Show: Home Service, Thursday, 3 September 1953 (30 mins)
Series 5: Home Service, Thursdays, 1 October 1953 to 29 April 1954 (31 x 30 min)
Series 6: retitled Ted Ray Time: Home Service, Mondays, 25 October 1954 to 18 April 1955 (26 x 30 mins)
Series 7: Home Service, Thursdays, 13 October 1955 to 5 April 1956 (26 x 30 mins)
Series 8: Light Programme, Thursdays, 25 October 1956 to 18 April 1957 (26 x 30 mins)
Series 9: Light Programme, Fridays, 4 October 1957 to 28 March 1958 (26 x 30 mins)
Series 10: Light Programme, Fridays, 26 September 1958 to 20 March 1959 (26 x 30 mins)
Series 11: Light Programme, Fridays, 11 September 1959 to 4 March 1960 (26 x 30 mins)
Series 12: Light Programme, Fridays, 2 September 1960 to 13 January 1961 (20 x 30 mins)
So I make that a total of 383 episodes, of which 26 are in the BBC Archives. Surely there must be more out there. The British Library have transcription discs of two episodes, but both are also held by the BBC. There could easily have been more sent abroad, perhaps?
