Born: January 24 1924
Died: April 20 1992
(by Peter Tatchell, from LAUGH MAGAZINE #22, 2001)
It’s been said that Benny Hill was the most famous comedy artist in the world. His shows were (and, in some cases, still are) regularly screened in over a hundred countries around the globe. Comedian, pop singer, mime, clown … he was one of the most popular funnymen in the last fifty years, a man who also scripted the sketches and composed the musical numbers he performed.
And apart from Benny, you can count on the thumbs of one hand the only other performer to have starred in his own television programme for four decades … Bob Hope. And like Benny, Bob rationed himself to a handful of specials every year.
Born Alfred Hill in Southampton in 1924, a childhood fascination with the theatre led to tentative steps towards a stage career in his mid-teens. The Second World War intervened and, while in the army, he adopted the name Benny (feeling it had a more American show biz ring to it). By the end of the war he was appearing in Stars In Battledress productions, before being demobbed in late 1947.
The forces had unearthed a new generation of comedy talent … names like Hancock, Howerd, Edwards and a foursome who would soon be known collectively as The Goons. For Benny Hill, civvy street meant appearances in revues and summer seasons with occasional work on B.B.C. radio shows like Beginners Please and Variety Bandbox and as a regular in such long-forgotten series as Listen, My Children and The Third Division. For a time, he also worked as straight man for Reg Varney, but didn’t seem to be much at ease delivering one-liners direct to the audience.
Benny felt more at home in character, hiding behind a funny voice and wearing an outlandish costume. He preferred to appear in sketches and do impressions of the famous, and thought the infant world of British television might offer more scope for his ideas. To take stock of his talents, he spent several months off work creating dozens of scripts, before approaching B.B.C. producer Ronnie Waldman with a large bundle of his handiwork. Waldman was so impressed by the originality of the newcomer that he scheduled Hill to fill a 45-minute timeslot later that month with a selection of the sketches.
The special was billed as Hi There! and, though failing to garner much enthusiasm from the press of the day, it proved popular with the minimal numbers of viewers who owned television sets at the time. The B.B.C. liked what they saw and Benny was signed to a radio series called Anything Goes and eventually to host a monthly TV-variety programme The Centre Show in 1953 and Showcase a year later.
British television had created its first star and, by the mid-1950s (when the arrival of I.T.V. effectively jump-started the medium), the B.B.C. had elevated Benny to star in his own occasional series of specials. Soon after, he was voted the TV Personality of the Year (for 1954/5) and appeared in the first of several Royal Variety Performances. Benny Hill had found a career path that would sustain him for over thirty years … a variety mixture of regular characters, saucy musical numbers and parodies of popular shows of the day.
Hill didn’t confine his efforts to B.B.C. television. In 1956 he starred in a feature film called Who Done It? (and later appeared in lesser roles in Light Up The Sky, Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Italian Job). He hosted specials on commercial television for Lou Grade’s A.T.V. company, and could be seen in the West End in such stage productions as Paris By Night and Fine Fettle, and later in a brief summer season engagement in Let’s Make A Night Of It.
By 1962 (following the success of the Galton & Simpson Comedy Playhouse format, which spawned the mega-hit Steptoe And Son), the B.B.C. convinced Benny to venture down the sitcom trail himself with a series of unrelated 30-minute playlets. He created three seasons titled Benny Hill before returning to his usual variety specials.
With Johnny Speight having adapted his successful Arthur Haynes television scripts for a B.B.C. radio version, Benny decided to follow the same route and was happy to recycle some of his better material to form The Benny Hill Show on the Light Programme.
Despite his popularity in Britain, Benny still yearned for success in the U.S., and in 1967 signed with A.T.V. to star in two colour specials as part of a series of summer replacements for Red Skelton on the C.B.S. network. The venture wasn’t a success, but it did convince him that he should embrace the new colour technology when it was formally introduced on British screens in late 1969.
And, in a momentous decision, he abandoned the B.B.C. and signed with Thames, who had just been awarded London’s weekday commercial licence.
Benny Hill and Thames Television enjoyed twenty years of enormous success, and his enduring fame rests on the 59 one-hour specials he produced for them. Benny had long before abandoned the tension and uncertainty of performing live in a theatre … he now insisted on the security of working to an invited audience of fans, supported by his stock company of players. He felt comfortable with regulars such as Henry McGee, Bob Todd and bald-headed Jackie Wright, who started out as little more than an extra before a wave of popularity resulted in Benny writing him speaking parts in sketches. Old favourites such as Fred Scuttle and newcomers like the word-mangling Chinaman Mr. Chow Mein became perennial favourites on the shows, and before long Benny even had a hit-single on the pop charts called Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West) which started out as a vocal in one of his routines. The Thames shows led Benny back to the big screen too … he filmed a theatrical short called The Waiters, and a couple of years later transferred 90-minutes of television highlights to a moneymaking feature release called The Best Of Benny Hill.
Unlike the B.B.C. specials, Benny’s Thames work was now being seen on commercial television screens in far off Australia, to very healthy ratings … but America was still to be conquered. It wasn’t until 1979 when a distributer of Thames product in the U.S., Don Taffner, decided to offer half-hour versions of the shows to independent stations across the country. Billed as a latter day equivalent to The Jackie Gleason Show (with blackouts, regular characters and colourful dancers), the footage was tightly edited to leave out any dialogue or material the Americans wouldn’t understand. And, one by one, stations from coast to coast began screening the programmes to amazing response from viewers. Within months, Benny Hill skyrocketed from total unknown to television’s favourite funnyman.
In Britain, Thames continued on with their usual three Benny Hill specials each year and by the early 80s a raunchy dance group dubbed Hill’s Angels (inspired by the success of Kenny Everett’s Hot Gossip) had become an integral part of the programme. Several years later, a noticeably older and more avuncular Hill added a handful of cute youngsters to his performing team and they became known as Hill’s Little Angels. These later programmes relied more on one-joke quickies and visual material, which were more appropriate for editing into the half-hour format required for the American syndicated editions.
With a career that prospered well into the 1980s, Benny eventually fell foul of the self-appointed guardians of political correctness who decided humour about buxom blondes, jealous wives, mothers-in-law and all other remnants of burlesque and the saucy seaside postcard should be replaced by cynical observational analysis of the mundanities of everyday life. The speech police decreed that punchlines were out … four-letter words were in.
It wasn’t so much the style of his humour, though, that led Thames Television to create a blaze of publicity by suddenly terminating Hill’s contract in 1989, rather that his format had become stale and the constant repetition of gags (or even entire routines) had resulted in a noticeable downturn of ratings. Hill himself was now into his mid-sixties, and the cherubic grin and twinkling eyes had lost some of their cuteness when coupled with grey hair and extra chins.
The Thames decision was a colossal jolt to his ego, and Benny found it hard to understand how someone so popular around the world could now be banished from the television screens of his homeland. It was also a surprise to Don Taffner, whose company found itself without new product to syndicate.
To solve the problem, Taffner (along with ex-Thames supremo Phillip Jones) decided to independently produce a new batch of specials set in major cities around the globe, under the umbrella title Benny Hill’s World Tour. The first was taped with outside footage shot in New York and soon after, ITV company Central Television indicated it was also eager to secure his services.
Benny seemed on the road to a major revival, but things were not to be. Heart troubles put him in hospital twice in early 1992 and having been unable to reach him over the Easter weekend, his director friend Dennis Kirkland broke into his flat to discover the star had died whilst watching television. Television had been his life, and was with him to the end.
TELEVISION
Hi There! (B.B.C., Aug 20 1951. 45 min)
The Centre Show (retitled The Forces Show from Oct) (B.B.C., Tuesdays. 45 min)
Benny hosted this monthly variety programme on Jan 20, Jun 9, Aug 25, Sep 15, Oct 20, Nov 24 and Dec 21 1953
Showcase (B.B.C., Mondays. 45 min)
Benny hosted this monthly variety programme on Mar 15, Mar 29, Apr 26, May 24, Jun 21, Jul 19, Aug 16 and Sep 13 1954
The Benny Hill Show (B.B.C./A.T.V., Saturdays. 45 min)
January 15 1955
February 12 1955
March 12 1955
January 5 1957
February 2 1957
March 2 1957
March 30 1957
April 27 1957
June 1 1957
(ATV) November 9 1957
(ATV) December 14 1957
February 1 1958
March 1 1958
March 29 1958
April 26 1958
(ATV) November 29 1958
(ATV) December 27 1958
(ATV) January 24 1959
(ATV) April 2 1960
(ATV) April 30 1960
(ATV) May 28 1960
(Benny was seen in a half-hour excerpt of the Weymouth stage production Let’s Make A Night Of It on the BBC on August 1 1960)
(Benny starred in four editions of Sydney ATN7’s variety show Curtain Call from Oct 22 to Nov 12 1960)
February 4 1961
March 4 1961
April 1 1961
November 4 1961
November 25 1961
December 16 1961
Benny Hill
(sitcom playhouse, scripted by Benny Hill and Dave Freeman)
Series 1: B.B.C., Fridays Feb 23 to Mar 30 1962 (6 x 30 min)
Portrait Of A Bridegroom (with June Whitfield, Patricia Hayes)
A study of a bridegroom, seen through the eyes of several relatives and friends
A Pair Of Socks
The story of a year in the life of a pair of socks
The Constant Viewer
Bert Noggswith is a television addict who identifies himself with the programmes he watches
The Changeling
An old tramp tells how he was one of two babies accidentally swapped 60 years before
The Before Man
Mervyn Cruddy, a man who works as the loser in tv commercials, tries to find a lady friend
Aunt Mirabelle
A woman plots to become a rich widow
Series 2: B.B.C., Fridays Nov 30 1962 to Jan 11 1963 (7 x 25 min)
The Mystery Of Black Bog Manor
A reporter visits the owner of a priceless diamond collection
Cry Of Innocence
A humble newspaper buyer comes to the attention of the police because he resembles the man they are investigating
The Time Bicycle (with Graham Stark)
A time traveller from 1902 has trouble adapting in the present
Mervyn’s Christmas Pudding
details unknown
The Secret Of Planet Seven (with Graham Stark)
An astronaut is tempted by a group of minute space women
The Shooting Of Willie The Kid (with John Bluthal, Maggie Fitzgibbon, Bill Kerr, Graham Stark)
A visitor arrives in the wild west when his uncle is thought to have been killed by Willie the Kid
The Vanishing Man
A gas-fitter makes off with the Slate Club money whilst besotted by a balalaika player
Series 3: B.B.C., Tuesdays Sep 3 to Oct 8 1963 (6 x 25 min)
Mr. Apollo (with Yootha Joyce, Graham Stark)
An unfit health king finds himself in court because of a typographical error
The Visitor
A farm lad offers to help a couple who lose a cuff link on a visit to the country
Mr. Jolly (with Patricia Hayes, Dermot Kelly)
A series of visitors cause problems for the head of Laughter Unlimited
The Trouble Maker
An electrician’s mate causes havoc at a cocktail party
The Dresser
The inexperienced nephew of a stage manager is given a job in the theatre
The Taxidermist (with Dermot Kelly)
Two strangers decide to become taxidermists
The Benny Hill Show (BBC1, Saturdays. 45 min)
November 6 1964 (Friday)
(* segment in Christmas Night With The Stars: Dec 25 1964)
April 10 1965
April 24 1965
May 8 1965
May 22 1965
November 6 1965
November 27 1965
December 18 1965
January 8 1966
(ATV) October 8 1967 SPOTLIGHT
with Noel Harrison, Abbe Lane, Patricia Hayes, Julian Orchard
(ATV) December 26 1967
with The Seekers, Vince Hill, Nicholas Parsons, Arthur Mullard, Rita Webb
April 20 1968
November 20 1968
December 11 1968
December 26 1968
(telerecordings survive of the above BBC shows in bold type)
The Benny Hill Show (Thames, 60 min colour)
November 19 1969
with Henry McGee, Eira Heath, The Ladybirds, Michael Sharvell-Martin, David Battley, Kenny Parry, John Wright
Ye Olde Wishing Well/Anna Marie/Awful TV Moments/Eurovision Link To Monte Carlo/Honeymoon On The Border/Lower Tidmarsh Voluntary Hospital/Marathon Viewer Of Crimea Cuttings/European Song Contest/Ting-A-Ling-A-Loo
December 25 1969
with Nicholas Parsons, Robertson Hare, Eira Heath, Rita Webb, The Ladybirds, Michael Sharvell-Martin, David Hamilton
Fishing By Hat/Juanita Bonita Dolores/Holiday Sport Spectacular/Come Back Thelma/The Short Happy Life Of Maurice Dribble/Awful TV Moments/Is This Your Life? (incl. Fred Scuttle)
February 4 1970
with Henry McGee, Eira Heath, Los Paraguayas, Rita Webb, Nicole Shelby, Michael Sharvell-Martin, Davids Hamilton, John Wright
Whicker In Swamp/Colleen/The Audition/Hotel Sordide en Paris/Tour Guide/Ballet/Making A Commercial/The Old Fiddler/Awful TV Moments/Tommy Tupper In Tupper-Time/The Suzy Bar
March 11 1970
with Nicholas Parsons, Eira Heath, The Ladybirds, Patricia Hayes, Jimmy Thompson, Nicole Shelby, Michael Sharvell-Martin, David Hamilton
Benovite Advert/Garden Of Love/The Hitch-Hiker/Fred Scuttle, Audience Researcher (incl. Rogue Nudist)/Awful TV Moments/After Dinner With Charlotte Fudge/Ventriloquist And Tortoise/Dickie Dido (incl. Golden Days)/Musical Monk/Clumsy Dancer/Pub Poetry – The Birds And Bees/The Sound Of Frankenstein
April 20 1970
Montreux edition(30 min)
with Nicholas Parsons, Eira Heath, Rita Webb, The Ladybirds, Michael Sharvell-Martin
How To Get Rid Of Your Wife/Musical Monk/Short & Happy Life of Maurice Dribble
June 3 1970
Eddie In August (30 min)
with Nicole Shelby, Douglas Hill, Jill Easter, Tommy Godfrey, George Roderick
October 28 1970
with Nicholas Parsons, Patricia Hayes, Two’s Company, Bob Todd, Jack Wright
The Newly-Painted Park Bench/The Hippy On The Train/Look No. 7/Viewing At The Equator/The Masks Of Love/Poster Hangers/Don’t Tread On Bulla/Awful TV Moments/Mr. Show Business, Fred Scuttle (incl. The Underworld Water Of Jacques Custard)/Wind Of Change/East Meets West Interviews Mr. Chow Mein/Pub Poetry – Ted/Jose’s Cantina
December 23 1970 (recorded in b/w)
with Nicholas Parsons, Trisha Noble, The Ladybirds, Jack Wright, Liz Fraser
Rubber Balloons/Broken-Hearted Lover’s Stew/Look No. 7/Holiday King, Fred Scuttle/Dickie Dido (incl. Rachel)/The Hole-In-The-Wall Gang/Awful TV Moments/Lower Tidmarsh Volunteer Fire Brigade/Opportunity’s Knocking (incl. Ernie)
January 27 1971 (recorded in b/w)
with Nicholas Parsons, Kiki Dee, Petticoat & Vine, Patricia Hayes, Rita Webb, Jenny Lee-Wright, Jack Wright
Take Off My Dress/I’m Flying South/Shameful Moments In Sport/Henry And Alice And Bob And Mary/Awful TV Moments/Detective Inspector Scuttle/Love Will Find A Way/Top Of The Tops (incl. In The Papers, Dustbins Of Your Mind, Only The Lonely, I’ll Never Know)
February 24 1971 (recorded in b/w)
with Nicholas Parsons, Nanette, Bob Todd, Jenny Lee-Wright, Lesley Goldie
Employee With Boss’s Tastes/Greek Girl/Undercover Sanitary Inspector/Reverend Gray/Awful TV Moments/Learning All The Time/Goodnight George/Uplift (incl. Art Gallery Curator Scuttle, Quick-Change Artist, Interview, Pepys’ Diary)
March 24 1971
with Nicholas Parsons, Andree Melly, Johnny Greenlands, The Ladybirds, Bob Todd, Jenny Lee-Wright, Jack Wright, Lesley Goldie
Multi-cheating Wife/The Egg Marketing Board Tango/French For Starters/The Messenger/The Grass Is Greener/Supermarket Ballet/Mike and Bernie Winters’ Script/Cinema: The Vintage Years – Passengers Of Love/Awful TV Moments/Opportunitie Knokkes/Political Punch and Judy/Mr. Chow Mein, the Waiter
November 24 1971
with Henry McGee, Andree Melly, Bob Todd, The Ladybirds, Jenny Lee-Wright, Jerrold Wells, Jack Wright, Bella Emberg
Transformation By Elevator/The Beach At San Tropez/Awful TV Moments/Filthy-Minded Puritan In Stocks/At Home With Henry McGee: Mr. Chow Mein/St. John Bossom, Poet/A Cruise On The S.S. Rumpo/Fun In The Kitchen With Fanny And Johnny/The Movie Shakers – Mervyn Cruddy At The N.F.T. (incl. The Lovers, Home Is The Hero)
December 22 1971
with Nicholas Parsons, Rita Webb, Bob Todd, The Ladybirds, Clovissa Newcombe, Ronnie Brody
A Bald Head Is Like A Wife’s Bottom/Gypsy Song/Fred Scuttle, Talent Scout/Pub Poetry – The Dimpton Drinking Club Outing/N.I.T. (incl. African President, Language Professor, Alphabetical Dialogue)/The Great Pretender/Awful TV Moments (in German)
February 23 1972
with Henry McGee, Paula Wilcox, Bob Todd, Percy Thrower, Sylvia McNeil, Jenny Lee-Wright, Jack Wright
Great News Chocolate Advert/Zanduna/Fred Scuttle’s Keep Fit Brigade/The 17th Century Poetry Of Soloman St. John – Fam And Fufan/Director Pierre de Terre (incl. Cyril’s Interrupted Spanish Lesson)/The Head Gardener At Landleigh Hall/Awful TV Moments/Mr. Chow Mein At Customs/Medley Of Celebrity Goodnights
March 22 1972
with Nicholas Parsons, Bob Todd, Zienia Merton, The Ladybirds, Jenny Lee-Wright, Lesley Goldie, Jack Wright
Nazi Infiltrators In Pub/Wild Women/School Children At St. Soloman’s/Pub Poetry – Fishing/Nursing Home Ballet/Dickie Dido On Flying (incl. How I Love You So)/Awful TV Moments/Scuttlevision Prepares For Channel 4 (incl. Poetry And Jazz)/Little Things Mean A Lot/Mr. Chow Mein And Wife/Harvest Of Love
October 25 1972
with Hugh Paddick, Bob Todd, The Ladybirds, Jack Wright, Bettine Le Beau
Romancing A Poker Machine/Dustbins Of Your Mind/Colonel Eatwell, Army Catering/I.T.V.’s Most Loyal Viewer/Butch Cafferty, Hollywood Superstar/Fad Eyed Fal/Woodstick/Awful TV Moments/Berlin Youth Choir
December 27 1972
with Nicholas Parsons, Bob Todd, Jimmy Thompson, Jenny Lee-Wright, Jack Wright
Vicar’s KNICKERS Sign/The Gamekeeper’s Daughter/Awful TV Moments/Scuttle’s Funboy Club/Pub Poetry: Village Christmas/Awful Advert Moments/Yackanory/Portable Television/Dickie Dido – Europe (incl. Common Market Square Dance)
February 22 1973
with Henry McGee, Bob Todd, Pat Ashton, Jack Wright
Loud Leather/Backwoods Medley/Scuttle’s Security/Will Shakespeare, TV Scriptwriter/Awful TV Moments/Mr. Chow Mein Interprets/Jack Wright’s £49 Holiday/Lover Come Back To Me
March 29 1973
with Henry McGee, Bob Todd, Lee Gibson, Jon Jon Keefe, The Ladybirds, Jack Wright
Beanz Meanz Beanz/I’m Mad About You (vocal: Lee Gibson)/Confrontation: Mervyn Cruddy Exposes Thames TV/Mirror Ballet/Poetry Corner (incl. Drink, That Which Could Not Be Done)/The Deputy/Jewish New Yorker/Awful TV Moments/Dalton Abbott Railway Choir (incl. Gather In The Mushrooms)
December 5 1973
with Henry McGee, Bob Todd, Lesley Goldie, Kay Frazer, Jack Wright
Benny’s Clingwrap Advert/Valencia/Spot Black/Tische Und Sonn/Cinema Audience Watch Big Eddie/State Of The Nation Aftermath/Phone In: Humphrey Bumphrey/A Musical Afternoon In The Park
December 27 1973
with Henry McGee, Andree Melly, Bob Todd, Lesley Goldie, The Ladybirds, Jack Wright, Jon Jon Keefe
Ring For The Batman/Older Women/Scuttle’s Channel Tunnel/The Great British Dancing Competition/Departure Lounge: Mervyn Cruddy, Call Boy/Little Bo Peep
February 7 1974
with Henry McGee, Bob Todd, Lesley Goldie, Diana Darvey, Design, David Hamilton, Jack Wright
Gondor Tobacco Advert/Pub Poetry: Faith by E.M. Barrister/Sydney, The Bongo Drummer/Meryn Cruddy – Spy Catcher/Film Time – Director Sam Speilor (incl. Lulubelle, Baby Boy)/Talent Discovered At The Halfway Inn/Mr. T.V. Times Contest
March 13 1974
with Nicholas Parsons, Bob Todd, Jerrold Wells, Diana Darvey, Jack Wright, Bella Emburg
It’s A Little Boy!/Evangelical Advice/Awful TV Moments/Scuttle Escorts/Match Of The Week: Golden Goalies/Coalpits/The Short And Happy Romance Of Ted Tingle/Spanish Guitar Scene
January 8 1975
with Henry McGee, Bob Todd, Stella Moray, Diana Darvey, Jack Wright, Lee Gibson
Irish Escapees/The Island Of Luana (incl. Striptease Song)/Gavin Blod – The Man And His Music/Long Dry Summer/Newer Faces – The Versatile Brentwoods
March 12 1975
with Henry McGee, Bob Todd, Diana Darvey, Anna Dawson, Patrick Newell, Lee Gibson, Jack Wright
Mighty Deodorant Advert/Rose Of El Paso/Fred Scuttle, Thames TV Producer (incl. Affair At Marcel’s Barber Shop)/Great Mysteries With Orson Buggy – The Catch/Film Talk – J. Arthur Mein (incl. Behind The Bamboo Curtain)
Sept 24 1975 (originally scheduled May 26)
with Henry McGee, Stella Moray, Don Estelle, Eddie Buchanan
The Dream Makers – Clyde Jarrow (incl. The Family)/Fred Scuttle’s Backing Group/Feuding Umbrellas/The Stamp Collector/Tex Cymbal – Golden Boy (incl. Lonely Boy)
December 17 1975
with Henry McGee, Jack Wright, Dilys Watling, Eddie Buchanan
Lulubelle/Shopping Centre Cinema Adverts/Is There Anything In It? – Mahatma Scuttle/Waltz Talk/Jack And Jill/Bongo And Maraccas Backing Duo/Pub Poet: The Vicar Of St. Paul’s/El Paso
February 18 1976
with Henry McGee, Jack Wright, Eddie Buchanan, Moira Foot, Love Machine
You Can’t Eat Your Own Food Here/Jake/Word Of Sport (incl. Mrs. Biscuit, Show Jumper)/Luke And Tinker’s Nursury Rhymes/Last Work Of Paul Finch, Short-Sighted Poet/Disco Talk/Strangers In The Night/Music While They Work
March 24 1976
with Henry McGee, Bob Todd, Jack Wright, Eddie Buchanan, Brenda Arnau, Jenny Lee Wright
The Natives Of Luana (incl. Native Song Translated)/The Handyman/Captain Scuttle, Space Ace/Chinese Cookery With Fannee And Jonnee Claddock/Murder On The Oregon Express/Lower Tidmarsh Volunteer Fire Brigade (incl. Robin Hood)
April 21 1976
with Paul Eddington, Jack Wright, Eddie Buchanan, Susie Baker, Bella Emberg
Busker Song: So Many Girls/ Movin’ On/Who’s Afraid Of Virgin Wool/This Is Your Life: Ted Proudfoot/Sale Of The Half Century/Getting To Know You (From Germany)/Is There Anything In It?: Emily Grimley/Biology With Bellamy/Supersonic (incl. Flowers That Bloom In The Summertime, I’ll Never Know)
January 26 1977
with Henry McGee, Rita Webb, Jack Wright, Jenny Lee-Wright, Eddie Buchanan, Diana Darvey, Reflections, Sue Upton
Bianca/Sum Awards (incl. New Avengers, Mastermind, I Claudius)/Return Of The Bongo & Maraccas Backing Duo/Pam Ayres – Pets/Nor Iron Bars A Cage/Short-Sighted Political Correspondent/Bionic Baby/Thanks To The Wonderful Cast/Beach Bully
February 23 1977
with Henry McGee, Rita Webb, Jack Wright, Jenny Lee-Wright, Eddie Buchanan, Love Machine
Eskimo Nell Poem/Girls Are Made To Love And Kiss/Villain Of The Year Award (incl. Sgt. Scuttle)/Zipper Martin, Quick Change Artist/Reluctant Bridegroom/Victorian Scandals/The Flash Dancers/Double-Date/Scouts And Guides Annual Fete
March 23 1977
with Henry McGee, Rita Webb, Dilys Watling, Jack Wright, Eddie Buchanan
Tipsy Announcer/Starsky And Hutch/Casanova/Manuel The Accoustic Drummer/Show Jumping Grannies (incl. Colonel LLewellyn Todd)/Beach Romance With Figure Watcher/Widescreen Movie – Deep In My Ear/Girls, Girls, Girls (incl. Cheating Husband, Shop Assistant, Pregnant Bride, New Teacher)/Westminster Follies Puppet Show/Chow Mein Package Tours/Milk Marketing Board Band (incl. Streaker’s Ball)
April 12 1978 Benny Hill In Australia
(aired in Australia on the 0/10 Network October 11 1977)
with Ron Shand, Victoria Quilter, Max Phipps, Barry Otto, Lorna Lesley, Jimmy Clifford
Les Girls Dancers/Archie’s Angels/Mr. Chow Mein, Chinese Minister Of Culture/Daydream Of A Homeless Man/Lady Godiva/Benny Kelly, Outlaw/Big Daddy/A Day At The Beach
May 30 1978
with Henry McGee, Jack Wright, Charles Stapley, Dee Dee Darlington
Married Life/First Impressions: Carpenter Brothers From Ireland/Digger Blue/Infidelity At The Hotel Sordide/Thames TV Floor Manager, Fred Scuttle/The Widow/South Bank Show (incl. Spinning Wheel, Dave Allen, The Deputy, Mr. Mayor, Marvin Lubtich, Graffiti)
December 26 1978
with Henry McGee, Jenny Lee Wright, Felicity Buirski, Roger Finch, Johnny Vyvyan, John Quayle
Coconut Milk/Man vs Machine: Scuttle’s Super Brain (incl. Grand Wheelchair Rally)/Diben Telephone Exchange/Holiday Time: Dimton-On-Sea, Costa Patatas/Star Turns (incl. Can We Go Round Again?)/Friday Night Fever
March 14 1979
with Henry McGee, Jack Wright, Jenny Lee Wright, Geraldine, Sue Upton, Roger Finch, Johnny Vyvyan and Patricia Hayes
Daddy And Me Slept Together/At Benny’s Place/Educated Feet/National Health vs. Private/Leprechaun TV/Coliseum Poetry/Golddigger Romance/Hot Gossamer Dancers/Wonder Gran Meets Dracula
April 25 1979
with Henry McGee, Jack Wright, Helen Horton, Roger Finch, John Quayle
Maria/Awful TV Moments/Fred Scuttle At Cote D’Azure TV Festival/Carmen With Subtitles/O’Jack/In London Tonight: Cyclist With Cold, Irishman/Yield To The Dawn/Lean On My Crutch – New Yorker/Cheapo Film: The Police Raid In Waterloo Station/Saloon Poetry
February 6 1980
with Henry McGee, Bob Todd, Jack Wright, Helen Horton, Pat Ashton, Sue Upton, Roger Finch
Any Other Men In Your Life?/The Scarlet Pimple/Hollywood Grates: Chubby Dodds/Chez Ben Gala By The Beach/Women’s Lib Television (incl. Sale Of The Century, Sport, Charlene’s Angels)
March 5 1980
with Henry McGee, Bob Todd, Jack Wright, Helen Horton, Jenny Lee Wright, Rita Webb, Sue Upton, Roger Finch
Johnny Boy/Painting Party/Mr. Chow Mein At The Industrial Tribunal/Madame Louise Summer Collection/Chirpy Chuckles, The Jester/The Fudpuckers/Butch Cafferty And The Fundance Kid
April 16 1980
with Henry McGee, Bob Todd, Jack Wright, Helen Horton, Pat Ashton, Sue Upton, Roger Finch
Viennese Operetta/Dimpton-On-Sea Amenities Office, Fred Scuttle (incl. TV Romania – Clown Pantomine, Station 007, New York – 1994, Women’s Lib Television – Male Dancers)/Name That Tune/Hill’s Angels: New York, New York/Les 3 Mousquateres
January 7 1981
with Henry McGee, Bob Todd, Jack Wright, Sue Upton, Roger Finch, Bella Emberg, Ken Sedd
Wedding Night Phone Call/Gypsy Maria/The Loser/Not A Lot Of People Know That/Clown In Ring/Wishing Well/Meeting People – Gaston Le Clerc, Young French Poet/Hill’s Angels – Exercising/Wonder Gran vs. Dr. Jackal And Mr. Hide
February 11 1981
with Henry McGee, Bob Todd, Jack Wright, Sue Upton, Roger Finch, Bella Emberg, Ken Sedd
Unsightly Crow’s Feet/Down On The Farm/Lower Tidmarsh Volunteer Fire Brigade/Fred Marceau in The Statue/Interactive News At Ten/Castaway Poet/The Poster Girl/Hill’s Angels: Keep Young And Beautiful/Undercover Sanitary Inspector/Hulkess At Bus Stop
March 25 1981
with Henry McGee, Bob Todd, Jack Wright, Sue Upton, Roger Finch, Helen Horton, Louise English
Subdued Soccer Fan/Greek Song/Friends To Tea: Gaston and Louise Le Clerc/Big Poppa and Family (The Hillbillies, The Sheriff, The Doctor)/News At Ten (incl. Report From Amanda, Fanny And Johnny, David Bellamy, Hill’s Angels)/Man Wanted At The Grange
January 6 1982
with Henry McGee, Bob Todd, Jack Wright, Bella Emberg, Alison Bell, Jon Jon Keefe
Kitty Loves Whiskers/Paradise Island/Schoolmaster’s Role Call/Hotel Splendide (incl. Chinese Waiter, Hill’s Angels)/Street War In Dimpton – Traffic Wardens Versus Street Cleaners/The Monte Carbolic Show (incl. I Want To Play In Your Band)
February 10 1982
with Henry McGee, Bob Todd, Jack Wright, Bella Emberg, Alison Bell, Jon Jon Keefe
The Birds/Unlucky Luke/Learning All The Time/Talking Point: Youth In Asia/A Rainy Day In The High Street (incl. Hill’s Angels Street Party)/Schoolgirl: The Tale Of Miss Brodie/The Video Recorder
January 5 1983
with Henry McGee, Jack Wright, Kathy Staff, Bob Todd, Jenny Lee Wright, Louise English, Alison Bell, Jon Jon Keefe
Sheepshearer’s Dream/We Are The Lifeguards/Shadowplay/Friends To Tea: Mr. Chow Mein’s Chinese Opera/Television Censor Emily Grimley/Jackie’s Honeymoon Cruise/Superteech Meets Wicked Wanda
March 16 1983
with Henry McGee, Jack Wright, Kathy Staff, Bob Todd, Louise English, Jenny Lee Wright, Jon Jon Keefe
This Needle May Hurt/Gay Caballero/Holiday: South Of France/Rev. John McFudpucker/Western Hero/Clown Goes Shopping/Punks In The Nick/The Toughest Bloke In The Pub/Schoolboy With Slingshot
January 16 1984
with Henry McGee, Jack Wright (old footage), Bob Todd, Louise English, Jenny Lee-Wright, Jon Jon Keefe, Sue Upton, Jade Westbrook
The Pains Are All In Your Head/Home For The Summer/Scuttlevision Cable TV/A Drunk Heads Home/Stupid Cupid/Club Bizarre/Fingers McNee, Bank Robber/Goodnight From Thames TV/Beach Babe
April 25 1984
with Henry McGee, Jack Wright (old footage), Bob Todd, Louise English, Jon Jon Keefe, Sue Upton, Erica Lynley, Len Keyes
Invention Of The Wheel/The League Of Helping Hands/A Vagabond/Hill’s Angels At Health Spa/Lecture On The Human Body/Boys vs. Girls Street Fight/The Hot Shoe Show/Show Under-Running By Two Minutes/St.John Thomas Hospital Opening
January 2 1985
with Henry McGee, Jack Wright (old footage), Bob Todd, Louise English, Jon Jon Keefe, Carl Wayne, Derek Royle, Len Keyes
Two Sacks Of Phones/Schoolmaster – Questionairre (incl. How Far Man Has Progressed)/Olive, The Chemist Shop Manageress/Benito’s Victorian Music Hall (incl. Please Don’t Pull The Privy Down)/The B Team
April 8 1985
with Henry McGee, Bob Todd, Jon Jon Keefe, Louise English, Jenny Lee-Wright, Sue Upton, Len Keyes
That’s The One!/What A World/Life On The Street/For Ever Love LP/Schoolmistress – Feminine Dictionary/Benito’s By The Beach/Cinema Manager, Fred Scuttle (incl. Hullo Sailor)
May 27 1985
with Henry McGee, Jack Wright (old footage), Bob Todd, Jon Jon Keefe, Louise English, Erica Lynley, Sue Upton, Len Keyes, Jade Westbrook
Honeymoon Room Service/Costa Coco/Weather House Couple/Punk Directions To The Post Office/The Lover/Verdict On Corruption And Depravity/Carmen/Dibbles Health Farm
March 12 1986
with Henry McGee, Anna Dawson, Bob Todd, Jon Jon Keefe, Louise English, Len Keyes
Errant Tattooist/Captain Benny’s Twenties Cruise (incl. A Girl In Every Port, You Made Me **** You)/The Bucket/T.V. Executives Plan Biblical Soao Opera/Chez When/I’m Not A Sexist/Short-Sighted Handyman At Girl’s School
March 31 1986
with Henry McGee, Bob Todd, Anna Dawson, Jon Jon Keefe, Louise English, Jenny Lee-Wright, Sue Upton, Jerold Wells, Jade Westbrook
See-Through Top And Bra/I’ll Never Know, In The Papers/The Dreams Of A Philandering Husband/The Herd/Cabaret At The Cafe De L’Opera/Sexual Harrassment In The Workplace/My Life As An International Sex Symbol/Subtitled Television/Cross Strasse/The Painter At Rembrandt’s Cottage
April 16 1986
with Henry McGee, Anna Dawson, Bob Todd, Helen Horton, Jon Jon Keefe, Lorraine Doyle, Kathy Staff, Len Keyes, Sue Upton
I’ve Forgotten My Cheque Book/Bijou Burlesque/Funny Old World/Russian Propoganda/Pub Poetry: Anecdotes/Barney And Miriam: Swinging Neighbours/Editing The Signwriter Film/Cagney And Lacey
January 13 1988
with Henry McGee, Bob Todd, Anna Dawson, Jon Jon Keefe, Jerrold Wells, Derek Deadman, Johnny Hutch, Sue Upton and Hill’s Little Angels
If You’d Kissed Me That Way/Brooklyn Benny (incl. It’s A Hard Life)/The Halitosis Kid/Celebrity Menu/Playgirl Club/Kid’s Day Out/National Smile Week
April 27 1988
with Henry McGee, Bob Todd, Anna Dawson, Jon Jon Keefe, Derek Deadman, Johnny Hutch, Sue Upton
Argument With Dustman/Bronco Benny/Joggers/Love Birds/Norfolk Turkey/Chicago-Go Gala Night (incl. Kosher Comic, Tanya & Her Performing Men)/San Embargos Presidential Welcome
February 8 1989
with Henry McGee, Bob Todd, Anna Dawson, Jon Jon Keefe, Johnny Hutch, Duggie Small, Sue Upton, Hill’s Little Angels
The Milkman’s Ceiling/Yokel Benny (incl. Cockney Girls, Benny’s Square Dance)/Little Angels’ Birthday Party/The Daily Scuttle/Sport/Late Arrival At Guild Dinner/The Crook Report
April 5 1989
with Henry McGee, Bob Todd, Anna Dawson, Jon Jon Keefe, Johnny Hutch, Duggie Small, Sue Upton, Hill’s Little Angels
Eating From Dog’s Bowl/Anna Maria/Historical Heroes/Mr. Chow Mein, Waiter/Hill’s Angels Photo Call/Kaberet Mit Otto Schtuk (incl. Laurel & Hardy)/Musical Blackmail/Jungle Explorer
May 1 1989
with Henry McGee, Bob Todd, Anna Dawson, Jon Jon Keefe, Johnny Hutch, Derek Deadman, Jerrold Wells, Lorraine Doyle, Sue Upton, Hill’s Little Angels
Granny Loves The Spinning Wheel/Pepys Diary/The Good Guys/The Cheddars At The Marriage Counsellor/TV Show Titles (incl. Tales Of The Unexpected, The Bill, Boon)/Schoolmaster: The Language/Little Angels Fishing Picnic
(videos survive of all Benny’s Thames specials)
Benny Hill: Clown Imperial (BBC1, December 20 1991. 60 min)
Benny Hill’s World Tour (Carlton, Apr 12 and May 16 1994 as Benny Hill Unseen. 2 x 30 min)
with Henry McGee, Bob Todd, Anna Dawson, Jon Jon Keefe, Johnny Hutch, Sue Upton, Joey Faye
A Bank Raid Not An Office Party/I’m Glad To Be Here/Ask Dr. Ruth/How To Meet Beautiful Women/A Streetcar Named Desiree/Mr. Chow Mein, Ventriloquist/Hood’s Rendezvous
Heroes Of Comedy (CH4, January 12 1998. 60 min)
The Unforgettable (ITV, December 14 2001, 35 min)
Living Famously (BBC2, February 10 2003. 60 min)
RADIO
Listen, My Children (B.B.C. Home Service, June 1 to July 20, 1948. 8 x 30 min)
with Robert Beatty, Benny Lee, Jon Pertwee, Harry Secombe, Peter Watson, Patricia Hayes, Carole Carr
The Third Division (B.B.C. Third Programme, January 26 to March 2 1949. 6 x 30 min)
with Robert Beatty, Benny Lee, Bruce Belfrage, Patricia Hayes, Harry Secombe, Peter Sellers, Michael Bentine, Carole Carr, Robert Moreton
Anything Goes (B.B.C. Light Programme, February 21 to April 3 1952 – not Mar 13. 6 x 30 min)
with Cherry Lind, Jack Watson, Johnny Morris and the Ivor Raymonde Seven
Archie’s The Boy (B.B.C. Light Programme, Nov 11 1954 to Mar 24 1955. 20 x 30 min)
with Peter Brough, Beryl Reid, Graham Stark, Shirley Eaton, Peter Madden
Star Parade
featured three editions titled The Benny Hill Show (Light Programme: March 28, May 30 and August 25 1963)
Benny Hill Time
Series 1: B.B.C. Light Programme, Feb 23 to May 17 1964 (13 x 30 min)
* Benny’s Bandbox:Light Programme, January 1 1965
Series 2: B.B.C. Light Programme, Feb 21 to Mar 28 1965 (6 x 30 min)
Series 3: B.B.C. Light Programme, Feb 27 to Apr 10 1966 (7 x 30 min)
with Peter Vernon, Jan Waters (series 1 and 2), Patricia Hayes (series 2 and 3)
scripts by Benny Hill
tributes
The Best of British Laughs – Benny Hill
BBC Radio 4 November 21 1971 (30 min)
There’ll Never Be Another – Benny Hill
BBC Radio 2 August 8 2000 (60 min)
Benny Hill – the Untold Story
BBC Radio 2 October 6 2009 (60 min)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
The Benny Hill Story
by John Smith (W.H. Allen, 1988)
The Illustrated Benny Hill
by Gary Morecambe (Elm Tree Books, 1989)
Saucy Boy – The Life Story Of Benny Hill
by Leonard Hill (Grafton Books, 1990)
Star Turns – The Life And Times Of Benny Hill And Frankie Howerd
by Barry Took (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1992)
Benny – The True Story By His Best Friend
by Dennis Kirkland, with Hilary Bonner ( Smith Gryphon, 1992)
The Real Benny Hill
by Margaret Forwood (Robson, 1992)
Benny Hill – Merry Master Of Mirth
by Robert Ross (Batsford paperback, 1999)
Benny Hill – King Leer
by Jeremy Novick (Carlton Books, 2000)
Funny, Peculiar – The True Story Of Benny Hill
By Mark Lewisohn (Sidgwick & Jackson, 2002)
DISCOGRAPHY
Memories Are Made Of This / Who Done It?
Columbia 78rpm DB 3731, 7″ single SCM 5238
I Can’t Tell A Waltz From A Tango / Teach Me Tonight
Decca 7″ single 45F 10442
Gather In The Mushrooms / Pepys Diary
Pye 7″ single 7N 15327
Gypsy Rock / Transistor Radio
Pye 7″ single 7N 15359
Benny Hill Parade #1
Pye EP nep 24144
Gather In The Mushrooms
Pepys Diary
Gypsy Rock
Transistor Radio
Lonely Boy / The Piccolo Song
Pye 7″ single 7N 15405
BAM-ba 3688 / The Harvest Of Love
Pye 7″ single 7N 15520
Harvest Of Love
Pye EP nep 24174
The Piccolo Song
Lonely Boy
BAM-ba 3688
The Harvest Of Love
What A World / I’ll Never Know
Pye 7″ single 7N 15974 (1965)
My Garden Of Love / The Andalucian Gypsies
Pye 7″ single 7N 17026 (1966)
Benny Hill Sings (?)
Pye LP NPL 18133 (1966),
Moving On Again
The Andalucian Gypsies
In The Papers
Golden Days
Flying South
My Garden Of Love
I’ll Never Know
Wild Women
Jose’s Cantina
Rose
The Egg Marketing Board Tango
Those Days
The Old Fiddler
What A World
Benny Hill Sings Old Favourites
Pye/Golden Guinea LP GGL 0363 (1966)
The Harvest Of Love
I’ll Never Know
Gypsy Rock
The Piccolo Song
Jose’s Cantina
Transistor Radio
Lonely Boy
BAM-ba 3688
What A World
Those Days
Gather In The Mushrooms
Benny At The B.B.C.
Decca LP LK 4723 (1965)
(reissued in 1971 as The World Of Benny Hill Decca PA 116)
Interviews
Layabouts Picnic
Film Director-Producer J. Arthur Scuttle – From Moscow With Love
The Sunday Ben
Down Your Way Visits Dalton Abbot
Warlords Of East Grinstead
The Holiday King Mr. Fred Scuttle
The Jolly Robbers
Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West) / Ting-A-Ling-A-Loo
Columbia 7″ single DB 8833 (1971)
Words And Music
Columbia LP SCX 6479 (1971)
(reissued in 1972 as Benny Hill Sings Ernie Music For Pleasure MFP 50040)
Ernie
Anna Marie
Broken-Hearted Lovers’ Stew
Colleen
Rachel
The Beach At San Tropez
Suzy
Ting-A-Ling-A-Loo
Ted
Tour Guide
Interview
Making A Commercial
The Birds And The Bees
Fad Eyed Fal / The Dustbins Of Your Mind
Columbia 7″ single DB 8940 (1972)
This Is Benny Hill
E.M.I. LP THIS 27
(reissued in 1977 as Words And Music E.M.I./Note LP NTS 135,and as Ernie E.M.I. CD 7 99733 2)
Ernie
Anna Marie
Broken-Hearted Lovers’ Stew
Colleen
Rachel
The Beach At San Tropez
Suzy
Ting-A-Ling-A-Loo
The Dustbins Of Your Mind
Fad Eyed Fal
Ted
Tour Guide
Interview
Making A Commercial
The Birds And The Bees
The Golden Hour Of Benny Hill
Pye/Golden Hour LP GH 524 (1972)
The Harvest Of Love
Gypsy Rock
Piccolo Song
Pepys Diary
Transistor Radio
Lonely Boy
BAM-ba 3688
Gather In The Mushrooms
Moving On Again
The Andalucian Gypsies
The Egg Marketing Board Tango
In The Papers
Golden Days
Flying South
My Garden Of Love
I’ll Never Know
Wild Women
Jose’s Cantina
Rose
Those Days
The Old Fiddler
What A World
The Best Of …
Continuum CD (1993)
Ernie
Bianca
Gypsy Dance
New York Rap
Star Names
Just Wanna Be In Your Band
Down On The Farm
Unlucky Luke
Pepys Diary
Older Woman
Cafe Ole
Graffiti
Lifeguards
Go Round Again
Benny Hill Sings (?)
Castle CD PACD 008 (1990)
Ernie
Pepys Diary
Transistor Radio
Gypsy Rock
The Piccolo Song
Lonely Boy
Gather In The Mushrooms
Harvest Of Love
BAMba 3688
Moving On Again
The Andalucian Gypsies
The Egg Marketing Board Tango
In The Papers
Golden Days
Flying South
My Garden Of Love
I’ll Never Know
Wild Women
Jose’s Cantina
Rose
Those Days
The Old Fiddler
What A World
Broken-Hearted Lovers Stew
The Beach At San Tropez
Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West)
E.M.I. CD single 8 80068 2
Ernie
Ting-A-Ling-A-Loo
The Dustbins Of Your Mind
Fad Eyed Fal
On Top With Benny Hill
Spectrum CD 550 765 2 (1995)
Gather In The Mushrooms
Harvest Of Love
My Garden Of Love
Pepys’ Diary
In The Papers
Jose’s Cantina
Flying South
What A World
The Andalucian Gypsies
Transistor Radio
The Egg Marketing Board Tango
Lonely Boy
Gypsy Rock
Wild Women
I’ll Never Know
The Old Fiddler
Bamba 3688
The Piccolo Song
The Ultimate Collection
Pulse CD PLS CD 273 (1998)
Gather In The Mushrooms
Transistor Radio
Harvest Of Love
Pepys’ Diary
Gypsy Rock
The Piccolo Song
Lonely Boy
Moving On Again
The Andalucian Gypsies
The Egg Marketing Board Tango
Bamba 3688
What A World
I’ll Never Know
My Garden Of Love
In The Papers
Golden Days
Flying South
Wild Women
Jose’s Cantina
Rose
Those Days
The Old Fiddler
Ernie
Benny Hill Time
B.B.C. double-cassette ZBBC 1722
features broadcasts of
February 23*
March 8*
March 15*
April 5 1964
(* misdated on sleeve)
VIDEOS
Benny And The Jests (B.B.C. United States and Australia only)
extracts from B.B.C. shows of 1958, 1961, 1965, 1967 and 1968
Beat The Clock
24 Hours – Anglo French Friends League
Director Fred Scuttle’s The Knock
Sportsview – Show Jumping
Soap Box Jury
Scuttle’s Fun Boy Club
Orchestrated Breakfast
The Stamp Collector
Hollywood And The Stars
The Y.M.C.A.
Strangers In The Cinema
Bennies From Heaven (B.B.C. United States and Australia only)
extracts from B.B.C. shows of 1964, 1965, 1966 and 1967
Trooping The Colour
Eurovision English Lesson
German Commercials
Viewer Researcher Fred Scuttle and Shows That Didn’t Make It (incl. The Old Fiddler)
Making A Commercial
Adverts (Indigestion, Gravy, Run-down Wife, Cleanser)
Expose Of A Male Model
The Egg Marketing Board Tango
J. Arthur Clinker’s Quickie Movie
Medieval Royal Conspiracy
The Good, The Bawd And The Benny (B.B.C. United States and Australia only)
extracts from B.B.C. shows of 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1968
Wife Swapping In A Lift
Opportunity Calls (incl. In The Papers)
Scuttle-Air
Knicker’s World: Continental Divorce
The Strolling Ones (incl. Rose)
On The Orient Express
Sexual Harrassment
Armand And Michaela Menace
Police – Friend Or Foe?
Laddyboys: Tex Cymbal (incl. My Garden Of Love)
The Best Of Benny Hill – Volume 1
Thames Video and Laser Disc (120 min)
The Best Of Benny Hill – Volume 2
Thames Video (104 min)
The Best Of Benny Hill – Volume 3
Thames Video (110 min)
Benny And Friends
Thames Video (55 min) 1984
It’s Benny Hill
Thames Video (52 min) 1986
The Crazy World Of Benny Hill
Thames Video (55 min) 1988
Benny Hill’s Greatest Hits
Thames Video (90 min) 1990
The Very Best Of Benny Hill
The World’s Favourite Clown (Clown Imperial)
Thames Video (52 min) 1992
Benny Hill’s World – New York
? (58 min)
* in the U.S.A., the following NTSC tapes all featured 60 minutes of highlights from the Thames shows …
Benny Hill’s Video Revue
Benny Hill’s One-Night Video Stand
Benny Hill’s Video Sideshow
Benny Hill’s Home Video Drive-In
Benny Hill’s Video Follies
Benny Hill’s Video Spotlight
Benny Hill’s Crazy World
DVDs
Benny Hill – The Lost Years
B.B.C. DVD (U.S. only)
reissues the videos Benny and the Jests, Bennies from Heaven and The Good, The Bawd and the Benny
plus a bonus 35 minute compilation of more extracts from BBC shows of 1965:
The Bully on the Beach
Vintage Years of Cinema presents Passengers of Passion
Ready, Steady, Go (incl. Only the Lonely, Movin’ on Again)
This Week’s Record Releases (incl. Those Days)
TV Drama Director Jean-Paul Scuttle – One Step Behind
Benny Hill – The Naughty Early Years – volume 1
A & E 3DVD
includes 11 Thames specials: November 19 1969 to December 22 1971
plus documentary The World’s Favorite Clown (aka Clown Imperial)
Benny Hill – The Naughty Early Years – volume 2
A & E 3DVD
includes 10 Thames specials: February 23 1972 to March 13 1974
plus documentary BIOGRAPHY: Benny Hill – Laughter and Controversy
Benny Hill – The Naughty Early Years – volume 3
A & E 3DVD
includes 10 Thames specials: January 8 1975 to March 23 1977
plus Eddie in August
* Benny Hill in Australia (aired in UK April 12 1978) not included in the A & E sets
Benny Hill – The Hill’s Angels Years – volume 4
A & E 3DVD
includes 10 Thames specials: May 30 1978 to March 25 1981
plus documentary I Was a Hill’s Angel
Benny Hill – The Hill’s Angels Years – volume 5
A & E 3DVD
includes 9 Thames specials: January 6 1982 to May 27 1985
plus documentary Hill’s Angels – Off the Record
Benny Hill – The Hill’s Angels Years – volume 6
A & E 3DVD
includes 8 Thames specials: Marxch 12 1986 to May 1 1989
plus documentary Hill’s Angels in Conversation
The Benny Hill Annual – 1970
Network 2DVD
includes 4 Thames specials: November 19 and December 25 1969 and February 4 and March 11 1970
plus Eddie in August
The Benny Hill Annual – 1971
Network 2DVD
includes 5 Thames specials: October 28 and December 23 1970 and January 27, February 24 and March 24 1971
The Benny Hill Annual – 1972
Network DVD
includes 4 Thames specials: November 24 and December 22 1971 and February 23 and March 22 1972
The Benny Hill Annual – 1973
Network DVD
includes 4 Thames specials: October 25 and December 27 1972 and February 22 and March 29 1973
The Benny Hill Annual – 1974
Network DVD
includes 4 Thames specials: December 5 and 27 1973 and February 7 and March 13 1974
The Benny Hill Annual – 1975
Network DVD
includes 4 Thames specials: January 8, March 12, September 24 and December 17 1975
The Benny Hill Annual – 1976
Network DVD
includes 3 Thames specials: February 18, March 24 and April 21 1976
The Benny Hill Annual – 1977
Network DVD
includes 3 Thames specials: January 26, February 23 and March 23 1977
* Benny Hill in Australia (aired in UK April 12 1978) not included in the Network releases
The Benny Hill Annual – 1978
Network DVD
includes 2 Thames specials: May 30 and December 26 1978
The Benny Hill Annual – 1979
Network DVD
includes 2 Thames specials: March 14 and April 25 1979
The Benny Hill Annual – 1980
Network DVD
includes 3 Thames specials: February 6, March 5 and April 16 1980
The Benny Hill Annual – 1981
Network DVD
includes 3 Thames specials: January 7, February 11 and March 25 1981
Benny Hill’s World Tour – New York
Umbrella/DLT DVD
The Benny Hill Collection
Flashback DVD & CD
a reissue of the 1993 Continuum CD The Best of Benny Hill
plus 30-minutes of music videos and out-takes filmed for the album
Laughterlog.com 