The Essay: British Film Comedians
- Radio documentary
- BBC Radio 3
- 2015
- 5 episodes (1 series)
A selection of episodes from Simon Heffer's long-running radio show focusing on mid-20th century British comedy actors. Features Simon Heffer, Will Hay, Alastair Sim, Terry-Thomas, Tony Hancock and Sid James
Episode menu
Series 1, Episode 1 - Will Hay
Simon Heffer profiles Will Hay. With films such as Oh! Mr Porter, Boys Will Be Boys and The Goose Steps Out, Will Hay was, by popular consent, the greatest comic actor in films of the 1930s and 1940s.
Further details
Simon Heffer traces the rise to fame of this music hall star, who became best-known for his anti-authoritarian roles, whether playing a policeman, a fireman, a stationmaster, a barrister, a professor, or - perhaps most famously - an incompetent and morally dubious schoolmaster.
Broadcast details
- Date
- Monday 13th April 2015
- Time
- 10:45pm
- Channel
- BBC Radio 3
- Length
- 15 minutes
Cast & crew
| Simon Heffer | Host / Presenter |
| Will Hay | Subject |
| Simon Heffer | Writer |
| Beaty Rubens | Producer |