old radio programmes in pre TV days

I'm trying to remember the name of a radio series broadcast in the 1940s. It was four men (I think) who debated topics in a mock serious way but never came to any kind of conclusion. I thought it was funny; and I think the title was clever in some way. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

Apart from Band Waggon, you mean? That was the BBC's very first regular comedy show - actually it was predominantly a music show, with Jack Hylton's band and singers, with about ten minutes, total, of comedy.

It was going to be cancelled, so Askey and Murdoch took over the wrioting, and it became an enormous success. I've not, so far, come across another Askey radio series - Arthur was a very early TV performer - even for Logie Baird's mechanical system - and after WWII was very creative in that field.
Before Your Very Eyes was the title of one such series. His daughter, Anthea, did work in radio in at least one series I recall, Wrinkles with Tom Mennard and Ballard Berkely.

Thanks, Feetle, I stand corrected. I'm sure there was another comedy series with Arthur Askey but can't think what it was.

@Daisy - yes the Postman; Jon Pertwee doing the voice he later used as Worzel Gummidge! "Buglin' buglin' - the 'ole time buglin'..."

@grandimars - some unkind people would say that Peter Brough was no ventriloquist! Sandy Powell, on Brough telling him where he would be working next week, said "Oh, you'll do well there - the lighting's terrible..."

In the USA, Edgar Bergen, with Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd had been broadcasting for years, in the Chase & Sanborne Coffee Hour programme - Charlie had memorable arguments with WC Fields.

I wondered if The McFlannels would be mentioned, so glad you did Anno.
We used to listen to two way family favourites on a Sunday and I always wondered what Singapore would be like. I found out many years later. I loved that place.

I remember all those mentioned with much fondness. The Clitheroe Kid was another favourite, I once passed Jimmy Clitheroe in the street in Halifax, as I was on my way to the dentist,and was shocked to see that his face was quite lined. A few years ago on Cromer Pier I saw a ventriloquist called Steve Hewlett, who had the original Archie Andrews puppet as part of his act. Apparently it was sold in 2005, and the new owner needed someone to do the voice. It is quite creepy to see it- but why did a ventriloquist on the radio never seem at all strange?

Waterlogged Spa - was that 'What does it matter what you do, as long as you tear 'em up?' - a sudden memory. The postman?

@annodomini - Arthur Askey and Richard Murdoch were in Band Waggon, not Much Binding, for which the regular cast was Murdoch with Kenneth Horne and Sam Costa and Maurice Denham : the last two were also in the first series of ITMA...

TIFH, with Jimmy Edwards and Dick Bentley originally had Joy Nicholls as the third member of the cast. When she left (I think she went back to Australia?) they recruited two ladies to fill her shoes, Alma Cogan for the singing, and June Whitfield for the comedy. Alma was heard in the Glums sketches, as Mrs Glum, upstairs, only ever heard as distant shrieks...

I like the sound of The McFlannels!

Much Binding was spun off from Forces Merry-go-round, alopng with Stand Easy (Charley Chester and Arthur Haynes) and Waterlogged Spa, with Eric Barker, Pearl Hackney and Jon Pertwee.

Educating Archie, it was years before I realised he was a dummy.

anno All very entertaining. Not keen on the phrase - those were the days...but, in my opinion, I thought that such programmes were "wholesome", unlike many so-called sit-coms of today. Just saying...

When we were children we were allowed to listen to 'Ray's a Laugh' with Ted Ray, 'Take it from Here'; with Jimmy Edwards and the perennial June Whitfield; 'Much Binding in the Marsh' with Arthur Askey and Richard Murdoch. And many more. Other Scots many remember 'The McFlannels' on a Saturday evening, a kind of comedy soap set in Glasgow, almost like a radio version of 'The Broons'.

RtH - wonderful! Great writers, Barry Took and Marty Feldman, and a superb cast - and the characters! Chou En Ginsberg, J Peasemold Gruntfuttock, Julian and Sandy, Fanny Haddock, Seamus Android... and the rock on which it was all anchored, Kenneth Horne.

My favorite, which is still broadcast on Radio 4 Extra is "Round the Horne", next broadcast Monday 8pm Radio 4 Extra.

Gary the Gardner did it last night for me! I do most things but not electrical. That includes the iron, washing machine, vacuum,etc

Galen Keep pressing the buttons one at a time and see what happens! where's your spirit of adventure gone?

Did it not come with a set of destructions?

Not that I often read them myself though! It was about 18mnths before I properly read the instructions for my digital camera.

Thank you for reminding me about a Life of Bliss - very funny at the time. I'd love to hear it again to see if it still makes me laugh.

The Goon Show - that was very popular.

My mum never missed the Archers and there was such a hullabaloo when Grace Archer died. People were really upset and the BBC was inundated with cards and flowers. Did people honestly believe she was a real person?

How do I find radio4extra on my digital radio?

Yes, she did exist, and was considered to be delish. I have just googled images of her and she is too. some of the photos very dated, but others stand the test of time pretty well.

Someone in the Navy Lark was always going on about his picture of Lilian Gish. Did she really exist, and if so, was she as gorgeous as he made her out to be?

Feetlebaum rather!

Feetelbaum provided the answer just 7 seconds before I posted my question. He must be psychic.

Thanks Daisyanswerdo...Psyche and A Life of Bliss...happy memories.

I don't remember Dick Barton. I do remember Paul Temple they did some updates recently.

The Navy Lark was one of my favourites.
The Men from the Ministry
Perhaps a forerunner of Yes Minister.
All the above are on Radio 4 Extra.
Wasn't there a rather ?semi religious music program on about same time of afternoon as Mrs Dale's diary called The silver Lining? I don't know why I think it might have been semi religious. at least it seemed very earnest.

Journey into space.

What was the program with George Cole and Psyche called?
That guy who did the dog was the bird impersonator man???
Percy Edwards? I believe.

I suppose all this recollection is good for the memory.
I really don't know where In my brain I store this crap!

Psyche was the dog in A Life of Bliss - played by Percy Edwards! George Cole was the diffident bachelor, David Bliss.

soop I puzzled over Sikey for a bit because I used to listen to George Cole and remembered the dog. I think it was spelt Psyche!

(which reminds me of a Punch cartoon showing two old codgers in a rowing-boat looking at the name on a nearby ship's bow: PSYCHE. 'Cor', says one, 'that's the rummest way of spelling FISH I ever saw'.