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Friday 30th October 2020 |
If you're particularly organised, hopefully you'll be thinking about Christmas presents by now - we've mentioned it a few times already! The new items below would be great to put under the tree; meanwhile, archive specialists Network currently have a buy one, get one free sale on a range of box sets including classic comedies like The Benny Hill Show and Fresh Fields, so why not get something for yourself at the same time as organising a gift? And who's to say which one was free...?
Coming soon
The Strange World Of Gurney Slade... Again
As you might have read in our news story, this weird and wonderful, fourth-wall-breaking ATV series has been given a deluxe restoration, to celebrate its 60th birthday.
All six episodes have been restored in HD from the original 35mm film elements and are now available to order on this limited edition Blu-ray release, packed full of rare special features. For those not familiar, the series saw Anthony Newley star as an actor who walks off the set of a banal sitcom and into a fantasy world of his own imagination in a dreamlike odyssey. It's a true landmark in surrealist and meta comedy.
Paul Merton - The Series 1 & 2
Fresh from his appearances on Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Paul Merton starred in his own comedy series on Channel 4 way back in the early 90s.
First shown in September 1991, the show featured an intriguing mix of surreal sketches and stand-up routines, and it'll be out on DVD from 23rd November, including brand new commentaries with the star.
If you haven't already, do read our Comedy Rewind article in which comedy fan Rhianna Evans discusses why it's a show that's worth discovering.
The Ladykillers
To celebrate the 65th anniversary of Ealing Studios' flawless The Ladykillers, here's a new version... the first ever 4K restoration of the 1955 black comedy from the original 3-strip Technicolor negative, showcasing director Alexander Mackendrick's vision in its full glory.
You probably know this already: The Ladykillers follows the capers of a group of small-time crooks, taking on more they can handle in the form of their sweet, but slightly dotty, elderly landlady Mrs Wilberforce, and boasts an acclaimed, all-star cast including Alec Guinness, Peter Sellers and Frankie Howerd.
Don't Ever Leave Me
Made in 1949, this Rank classic comedy stars Jimmy Hanley as a car salesman who accidentally becomes a kidnapper.
When veteran small-time crook Harry Denton (Edward Rigby) is released from prison he moves in with his grandson Jack (played by Hanley). Harry can't resist returning to his old ways and decides to kidnap the daughter of a well-known actor...
This isn't the first release of this film, but this version should have a better picture than the previous issue.
Ghosts - Series 2
The second series of the hugely successful supernatural sitcom, written and created by the stars of Horrible Histories, Yonderland and feature film Bill. Take a look at these behind-the-scenes insights, and then get the DVD to see those moments in action.
A Christmas special will air in December, with Series 3 set to follow around this time next year.
How To Build A Girl
Caitlin Moran's film about Johanna Morrigan (Beanie Feldstein), a sixteen-year-old extrovert from the outskirts of Wolverhampton with raging hormones and gigantic dreams. Even though she loves her big, boisterous family, Johanna yearns to get out and make a name for herself - which she does, reinventing herself as revered and feared music critic, Dolly Wilde.
Jumping For Joy
It's a dog's life in this British comedy from 1956 starring Frankie Howerd. He plays a man fired from his job at the greyhound stadium, who takes pity on a fellow victim and adopts an injured greyhound called Lindy Lou, who would otherwise be destroyed. Soon, with the help of an amiable conman, he's taking on crooked bookies and race-track spivs.
Previously released on DVD, this new release promises, we're told, a cleaner, improved picture quality. Whilst not the outrageous humour for which he would later become best known, it remains a must-own for any Frankie Howerd fan.
Sally In Our Alley
Beloved by the British public for her string of hit pre-war films, Gracie Fields's Lancastrian earthiness, impish humour and memorable songs have endeared her to many generations of fans. Her screen debit, Sally In Our Alley sees Gracie as a good-natured coffee shop worker in this bittersweet wartime romance. It is presented here as a brand new high definition transfer from original film elements in its original theatrical aspect ratio.
Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing - The Complete Third Series
Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing Series 3 sees long-term friends and comedic royalty, Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse, return to the riverbanks. Across six episodes, this new series takes Bob & Paul to Scotland, Lea, Norfolk, Test, Somerford Lakes and Wye. It's a lockdown treat!
Dave Skinner & Henry Paker - Why Steve Was Late: 101 Exceptional Excuses For Terrible Timekeeping
Why Steve Was Late is a book of "hilarious (and even - occasionally - plausible!)" reasons for tardiness, handily dreamed up by someone else. Examples include "Overcome by the urge to alphabetise my pets" and "Forgot how trousers work".
Richard Herring - The Problem With Men: When Is International Men's Day? (And Why It Matters)
The new book from the current star of Taskmaster.
For almost a decade, Richard Herring has been answering sexist trolls on International Women's Day when they ask 'when is International Men's Day?' in the mistaken belief there isn't one. In The Problem With Men, Richard expands on his Twitter discussions and tackles some of the big questions surrounding the problems of toxic masculinity.
It's actually out on the 5th, before Men's Day (which is 19th November, which you'll already know if you follow Herring on Twitter).
Stewart Lee - March Of The Lemmings
Herring's former double-act partner also has a book out. This is a new paperback version of that, in which the 'Metropolitan Elitist Snowflake' writes on various topics.
It features extracts from his newspaper columns, a complete transcript of the Content Provider stand-up show, and Lee's caustic footnote commentary. March Of The Lemmings is billed as "the scathing, riotous record the Brexit era deserves".
Friday Night Dinner - The Complete Collection: Series 1 - 6
This box set includes all 37 episodes from Series 1 to 6 of the award-winning, smash hit comedy. Tuck into six glorious helpings of award-winning madness with the Goodmans as they get together for a Friday night dinner of food, family and major-league bickering.
A small selection of extras are included with Series 1 and 2, too. Lovely bit of squirrel.
Sandi Toksvig - Toksvig's Almanac 2021: An Eclectic Meander Through The Historical Year
Let Sandi Toksvig guide you on an eclectic meander through the calendar, illuminating neglected corners of history to tell tales of the fascinating figures you didn't learn about at school. From revolutionary women to serial killers, pirate nuns to pioneering civil rights activists, doctors to dancing girls, artists to astronauts, these pages commemorate women from all around the world who were pushed to the margins of historical record.
Steve Pemberton & Reece Shearsmith - Inside No. 9 - The Scripts: Series 1-3
We're excited about this set of books. They allow fans of the darkly comic twisted tales woven by Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith to discover more about how each 30-minute self-contained story sprang to life from the page. Each series is prefaced by a foreword from the show creators, giving readers and fans behind-the-scenes insight to this creative phenomenon. A collector's edition, in fancy packaging, is also available.
Tom Allen - No Shame
"When I was 16 I dressed in Victorian clothing in a bid to distract people from the fact that I was gay. It was a flawed plan." That's probably only a sentence Tom Allen could have written. His "very funny, candid and emotional ride" of a memoir will soon be in the shops.
Brothers In Law - The Complete Series 1-3
All three 1970s' BBC radio series of the classic legal comedy starring Richard Briers, newly restored and featuring an amazing array of guest stars. Inspired by Henry Cecil's 1955 comic novel of the same name, Brothers In Law first appeared on BBC One in 1962, providing Richard Briers with his first starring role on television as idealistic young barrister Roger Thursby.
Adapted by Richard Waring from TV scripts by Frank Muir and Denis Norden, it took to the airwaves in 1970, running for three years until 1972.
Cinderella: After Ever After
This was on last Christmas, and is now available to pre-order on DVD ahead of the next special (based on Jack & The Beanstalk). The premise of the fairy-tale based show asks 'What happens after 'ever after'?'
Cinderella (Sian Gibson) discovers that marriage to Prince Charming (David Walliams) isn't quite the fairy tale ending she'd hoped for...
Dentist On The Job
Original Carry On stars Bob Monkhouse, Kenneth Connor, Shirley Eaton and Eric Barker star in this sequel to 1960's Dentist In The Chair, now in high definition for the first time.
The launch of Proudfoot Industries' new toothpaste is a resounding failure, much to ire of its managing director. When a minion suggests they engage a dentist to endorse the product, it's pointed out that dentists would be struck off for such an endorsement - so what they really need are some clueless dentists with no common sense...
Legal, Decent, Honest And Truthful - The Complete Series 1-3
Frustrated copy man Ken Handley cannot help but conceive of the world in advert form. Over three series of this Radio 4 comedy (first heard in the 1980s) witness Ken coping with a drunken boss, straight-laced colleagues and an overactive mind, as we follow his exploits and moral dilemmas in this advertising satire. Martin Jarvis stars as Ken, alongside a cast that includes Miriam Margolyes, Imelda Staunton, Christopher Godwin and Joss Ackland.
On The Rocks - The Complete Series 1 And 2
It's the late 1930s, and even on the remote island of St Martin's in the Isles of Scilly war seems inevitable. But the islanders have their own battles to contend with, stuck on a rock flung 27 miles out into the Atlantic with only their natural grit and gallows humour to see them through. When a Penzance GPO man arrives to check on the post office, the islanders decide he must be the undertaker come to deal with the body of the late post office manager. And then they 'discover' that he is not an undertaker after all. So he must be a spy. Obviously.
Semi Circles - The Complete Series 1 And 2
Starring Paula Wilcox as and David Wood, this is a Radio 4 sitcom first heard in 1982. Helen and Ben are an upwardly mobile couple climbing the social ladder in suburbia. They have just moved into a semi-detached house, but discover that their taste for restoring their home to its original character is not shared by the neighbours...
Chambers - The Complete Series 1-3
All 14 episodes of the radio version of the legal sitcom about a group of barristers who never let justice get in the way of making money. Clive Coleman's comedy, set in perhaps the country's least spectacular law chambers, stars John Bird as John Fuller-Carp, with James Fleet as Hilary Tripping and Lesley Sharp and Sarah Lancashire as Ruth Quirke. Among the guest stars are Peter Serafinowicz, Sanjeev Bhaskar and Rebecca Front.
Electric Ink - The Complete Series 1 And 2
Old hacks meet new media in this BBC radio sitcom set in the changing world of the newspaper industry, starring Robert Lindsay and John Sessions. Maddox is an old-school journalist struggling to keep up with new technology. Meanwhile his online editor Freddy will happily regurgitate a press release and call it a story. But they have a grudging respect for each other, as Freddy helps Maddox stay afloat in the world of Twitter, Facebook and podcasting and Maddox shows Freddy how to land a real scoop.
For Better Or For Worse - The Complete Series 1-3
All three series of the BBC radio comedy about the turbulent relationship of an odd couple, starring Gorden Kaye and Su Pollard. Dithering undertaker's assistant Bernard Pringle has finally got engaged to his sweetheart, Iris Bickerdyke - but Iris still has to persuade her fiancé to buy her a ring...
Albert And Me - The Complete Series 1 & 2
Richard Beckinsale and Robert Lindsay star in this BBC radio sitcom about a single dad left holding the baby after his girlfriend runs off with the electrician. These 17 episodes follow character Bryan Archer's mishaps and adventures juggling work and childcare. He tries out as a cosmetic salesman, takes a driving job, finds employment as a temporary filing clerk, and more.
Paul Tonkinson - 26.2 Miles To Happiness: A Comedian's Tale Of Running, Red Wine And Redemption
Paul Tonkinson writes about his attempts to beat the much lauded 3-hour mark at the London Marathon. With a supporting cast of fellow comedians, this book is described as a "warmly written and wonderfully honest adventure-through-sport that will both entertain and inspire." The story of his alpine adventure to the Mayr Clinic with Michael McIntyre that pushes Paul to the limit is worth hearing.
Pippa Evans - Improv Your Life
Pippa Evans is an expert in saying Yes - and No. She's a master of thinking on her feet, but has also had to learn how to go with the flow. In this self-help book she's passing on everything she's learnt from her award winning improv career, as both a performer and teacher, so YOU can take centre stage in your own life.
23 Walks
This film is now available to pre-order. Dave (Dave Johns) and Fern (Alison Steadman) meet while walking their dogs in a North London park and over the course of 23 walks romance blossoms. But Dave and Fern haven't been completely honest with one another, and their future happiness is threatened by the secrets they have withheld.
Andi Osho - Asking For A Friend
Andi Osho's new novel about three best friends who come up with a plan to solve their relationship woes once and for all. Fed up with their love lives, Jemima, Meagan and Simi decide it's time to play the dating game by their own rules, so they're going to ditch the dating apps and ask people out in real life. The catch? They can only ask out potential dates for each other.
Jenny Eclair - Older And Wider: A Survivor's Guide To The Menopause
Older And Wider is Jenny Eclair's "hilarious, irreverent and refreshingly honest" compendium of the menopause. Her whistle-stop tour of the menopause in all its glory will make every woman realise that it really isn't just you. Jenny shares the surprising lessons she has learnt along the way as well as her hard-won tips on the joy of cardigans, dealing with the empty nest (get a lodger) and keeping the lid on the pressure cooker of your temper (count to twenty, ten is never enough).
Jen Brister - The Other Mother
Stand-up comedian Jen Brister takes a "very funny, very honest" look at life as a parent: from IVF awfulness to crying over the pages of sleep training manuals. As 'the other mother' in a same sex partnership she has the perfect vantage point for us to laugh and cry alongside her.
Roger Lewis - Growing Up With Comedians
This book contains incisive portraits of the world's most treasured performers and complicated personalities - from Chaplin to Tati, Hancock to Hawtrey, Laurel and Hardy to Spike Milligan, Terry Gilliam to Barry Humphries, and Arthur Lowe to Benny Hill, amongst many others. Growing Up With Comedians asks what lurks beneath the public face; where does talent end, ego begin, and periods of madness take over?
Mel Giedroyc - The Best Things
The debut novel from Mel Giedroyc. It's the story of a family who lose everything, only to find themselves, and each other, along the way. As the bailiffs move in and the money runs out, Sally realises that she and her children don't have a clue about how to survive. Or do they? The Parkers are about to discover that the best things in life aren't things at all.
Sara Gibbs - Drama Queen
A memoir by comedy writer Sara Gibbs, focusing on her time growing up with autism. Sara looks back through her childhood, her teenage years into adulthood and considers "the embarrassing, heartbreaking and hilarious moments that make complete sense now she knows she is, in fact, not quite like everyone else, after all".
Daniel Sloss - Everyone You Hate Is Going To Die
According to Daniel Sloss, his show about bad relationships has caused 120 divorces and some 50,000 break-ups. Now he's written a book. In it, he "goes after every conceivable kind of relationship between two people" - with one's country, with America, with lovers, ex-lovers, ex-lovers who you hate, ex-lovers who hate you, parents, best friends (male and female), not-best friends, children, and siblings.
This book won't now be out till 2021... as he's re-writing his thoughts about America.
Adam Kay - Twas The Nightshift Before Christmas
A new paperback version of Adam Kay's 2019 book, described "the hilarious, poignant and entertaining story of the life of a junior doctor at the most challenging time of the year, with 25 tales of intriguing, shocking and incredible Christmas incidents faced by NHS workers".
Jack Dee - #AskJack
Jack Dee has been very busy during lockdown and would like to update everybody on what he's been up to via this new book. While the nation has been baking bread and clearing out cupboards, Jack has retrained online as a psychotherapist and is now open for business.
For more things to pre-order, see our list of products coming soon.
Out now
Al Murray - The Last 100 Years (Give Or Take) And All That
A "brilliant and hilarious" new gallop through British history by everyone's favourite pub landlord and comedian, Al Murray.
1066 And All That, the famous tongue-in-cheek parody on British history has been a family favourite ever since it was first published in 1930. But so much has happened since then - and who better to provide an update than stand-up comedian Al Murray? Forget dusty, dry history books from your classroom days: this brings the last 100 years alive as you discover historical facts that you never knew.
The Cummings Files: CONFIDENTIAL - Thoughts, Ideas, Actions By Dominic Cummings
Father Ted writer Arthur Mathews is behind this book. The premise is that Dominic Cummings is constantly THINKING; PLANNING; and coming up with BIG ideas. The Government's chief adviser has been writing down his thoughts - in diaries, blog posts, on Post-It Notes and any scrap of paper he can find. Supposedly discovered in an abandoned back-pack on a train, this book reveals the intriguing contents.
David Jason - A Del Of A Life: Lessons I've Learned
In celebration of Sir David Jason's 80th year, A Del Of A Life: Lessons I've Learned is his latest volume of memoirs, reliving his extraordinary life and career from over 50 years in entertainment. From a trainee electrician to one of Britain's most revered and loved actors, Jason shares wisdom with readers on subjects ranging from family to work, resilience to ebullience.
Grace Campbell - Amazing Disgrace
A book about "shame", from comedian Grace Campbell (spin doctor Alastair Campbell's daughter). As the blurb explains: "At only 26, Grace has got a lot to learn about being an adult, but she's already got a lot to share about being a disgrace, and how she came to be utterly, disgustingly, disgracefully proud of it. It's the book every young woman should read, and every young man should worry about."
Joan & Jericha: Why He Turns Away - Do's And Don'ts From Dating To Death
If you've heard Julia Davis and Vicki Pepperdine's Dear Joan And Jericha podcast you might know what to expect from this new book. The agony aunt characters deliver relationship advice, including "how to find, satisfy and maintain a husband, from dating right up until you or hubby pass away".
The Love Lottery
Cinema legend David Niven stars in this classic Ealing satire on celebrity and the Hollywood star system. Directed by multiple-award-winning director Charles Crichton and also featuring Peggy Cummins and Herbert Lom (and Humphrey Bogart), The Love Lottery is featured here as a brand new high definition transfer from original film elements in its as-exhibited theatrical aspect ratio.
To The Manor Born
Penelope Keith, Angela Thorne and Keith Barron star in the 1997 radio version of the much-loved sitcom about an aristocrat forced to part with her family home. When her husband's death leaves her financially strapped, Audrey fforbes-Hamilton has no choice but to sell her beloved Grantleigh Estate. With butler Brabinger in tow, she decamps to the tiny Old Lodge cottage, where she keeps a close - and disapproving - eye on the new squire: the nouveau riche Richard DeVere.
Trouble Brewing
One of the successful run of pre-war Ealing comedies that secured George Formby's enduring popularity with the British public, Trouble Brewing sees everyone's favourite gawp turn amateur detective when he's swindled out of his racing winnings. Co-starring Googie Withers, Gus McNaughton, Martita Hunt and Ronald Shiner, it is presented here as a high definition remaster from original film elements in its original theatrical aspect ratio.
Ankle Tag - Series 1-3
Three series of the Radio 4 sitcom starring Elis James, Katy Wix and Steve Speirs. Career fraudster Bob has been in prison for the last 5 years, but he's just been released on licence with an ankle tag registered to his estranged son's address...
Bill Bailey - Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide To Happiness
Currently starring on Strictly Come Dancing and due to appear on The Graham Norton Show tonight, amongst other diary dates, Bill Bailey is pretty much everywhere this week. He's got this new book to plug too.
In Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide To Happiness, Bill explores the nature of happiness and ways to be, well, happy. A well-timed publication!
Let's Do It: The Authorised Biography Of Victoria Wood
A well-received biography about the comedy star. It's written by Jasper Rees, who had complete and exclusive access to Victoria's extensive archive of personal and professional material. The book also features exclusive interviews with her family and closest friends.
You might want to get the audiobook version, which is narrated by many of those featured, including the likes of Julie Walters.
QI Elves - Funny You Should Ask: Your Questions Answered
There's now a better way than looking at a calendar to work out it's nearly the end of the year - the appearance of a new book linked to QI!
This one is focused around the appearances of The QI Elves (the show's researchers) on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show. They answer questions on topics ranging from goosebumps to grapefruit, pizza to pirates and everything in-between.
The Folio Book Of Humour
The Folio Society prides itself on releasing beautiful, exclusive books, and this offering from them certainly lives up that ethos. It features a comedic cast of classic and contemporary literary excerpts that will "tickle the most discerning funny bone". Chaucer, Oscar Wilde and Terry Pratchett are amongst those featured.
Radio Parade Of 1935
Comedy legend Will Hay leads an all-star cast in this whimsical critique of the highbrow state of then-contemporary BBC radio programming. Co-starring Hollywood's Helen Chandler, light comedian Clifford Mollison and noted farceur Alfred Drayton, Radio Parade Of 1935 also features celebrated music hall acts Western Brothers and Clapham & Dwyer. It is presented here as a brand-new high definition transfer from the original film elements and features two scenes in their original Dufaycolor.
How To Live To 100: What Will REALLY Help You Lead A Longer, Healthier Life?
Written by Ariane Sherine and public health expert David Conrad, this is a book packed full of interesting facts and useful thoughts. It also features contributions from the likes of Lou Sanders, Charlie Brooker, Robin Ince and Clive Anderson. We've got an extract here: Does laughing and joking help you live longer?
Gary Delaney - Pundamentalist
Some books call themselves gag-packed. This one really is! Gary Delaney presents this collection of his finest 3,000 jokes. That is a LOT of jokes, and believe us when we say they're very, very funny.
A great stocking-filler for all (adult) ages, we predict this'll keep many a house cackling throughout Christmas Day.
Jeepers Creepers: Through The Eyes Of Marty Feldman
Originally directed by Monty Python's Terry Jones, historian and biographer Robert Ross's play about the relationship between comedian Marty Feldman and his wife, Lauretta, has now been adapted for an audio production. After twenty years as a struggling variety turn and then a prolific scriptwriter and television star, comic genius Marty Feldman found screen stardom with his very first Hollywood role in Mel Brooks's Young Frankenstein. With his wife Lauretta as the power behind the throne, his rise and decline is related through bittersweet memories of the past and intoxicated infidelities in the present.
This is just a partial selection of new products. For more, see our full list of new releases.
Thanks for reading
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