Round The Horne: Marty Feldman and Barry Took

Kenneth Horne first went on the air in Britain in 1940 when, as a member of the R.A.F. he was instructed by his superior to organise a broadcast. After the war he combined a successful career in industry with radio and television work. Round The Horne was the last radio programme to reach a listening audience of 15 million people. Round the Horne was based on a revue format and contained parody and satire by larger-than-life characters including the camp pair Julian and Sandy, the disreputable eccentric J.Peasmold Gruntfuttock, and the singer of dubious folk songs, Rambling Syd Rumpo, who all became nationally familiar. The cast included Kenneth Williams (Carry On) Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden and Bill Pertwee (Dad's Army) all of whom had the ability to switch between characters - a talent described by the radio historians Andy Foster and Steve Furst as 'a cast of thousands played by the same four accomplished actors'. Horne's role was that of 'straight man' to the inspired lunacy that was swirling around him. The writers were comedians Barry Took, Marty Feldman and script writers Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke (Man About The House, George And Mildred, Never The Twain). This book contains several selected scripts and the Rambling Syd Rumpo Song Book together with information of the cast and 'characters'. With cartoon illustrations by Hewison.