About the Book
More timeless comedy from the long-running variety show
Take It from Here was one of the most popular radio shows of its day, running for 12 years on the BBC Light Programme between 1948 and 1960. With its literate, pun-filled scripts written by comedy legends Denis Norden and Frank Muir, it was a huge hit with listeners, and over 20 million regularly tuned in to enjoy the madcap adventures of the TIFH team.
These 40 specially chosen shows feature Madam Butterfly as you’ve never heard it before, a West End musical spoof, the fall and rise of Punch and Judy – and quickfire quizzing with ‘Double Your Nothing’. Meanwhile in ‘The Glums’, the marathon engagement of the drippy Ron and the doting Eth rumbles on, and down at his local, Mr Glum regales barman Ted with tales of woe and hard-luck stories.
Also included are three Christmas episodes from 1955, 1958 and 1959; the 250th show (Series 10, Episode 1); the 10th anniversary episode (Series 11, Episode 12) and the last ever episode (Series 13, Episode 20) – as well as a piece of comedy history: the original version of a sketch made famous by Peter Sellers, 'So Little Time' (Series 12, Episode 15).
Jimmy Edwards, June Whitfield, Dick Bentley and Wallas Eaton star in this sparkling selection of shows, with musical accompaniments from Alma Cogan, The Keynotes, Toni Eden and The Polka Dots.
NB: Some of the language and humour on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast, and due to the age of the source material, the sound quality may vary.
Production credits
Starring Jimmy Edwards, Dick Bentley, June Whitfield and Wallas Eaton
With contributions from ‘Herbert Mostyn’ (aka Frank Muir and Denis Norden)
Written by Frank Muir and Denis Norden (Series 9-12) and Barry Took and Eric Merriman (Series 13)
Produced by Charles Maxwell (Series 9-12) and Charles Chilton (Series 13)
Music from The Keynotes and the Augmented BBC Revue Orchestra, Alma Cogan (Series 9), Toni Eden (Series 13) and The Polka Dots (Series 13)
With thanks to Keith Wickham
Episode guide
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme on the following dates:
Series 9 (11 October 1955-3 April 1956)
Episode 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5, 6 ,7, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 ,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24
Series 10 (2 January-15 May 1957)
Episode 1, 2 January 1957
Episode 7, 13 February 1957
Episode 8, 20 February 1957
Episode 17, 24 April 1957
Episode 20, 15 May 1957
Series 11 (8 January-21 May 1958)
Episode 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20
Series 12 (27 November 1958-12 March 1959)
Episode 2, 5, 13, 14, 15
Series 13 (22 October 1959-3 March 1960)
Episode 10 & 20
© 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
About the Author :
Barry Took was born in London in 1928. An early career as a stand-up comedian and sketch writer led to his first radio script credit, for Beyond Our Ken. From there he went on to create Round the Horne with Marty Feldman, whilst on television he wrote for series including Bootsie and Snudge and The Army Game. Amongst a variety of later jobs in front of and behind the camera, Took wrote and presented Points of View on BBC1 and also chaired BBC radio’s The News Quiz. He wrote a number of books, including The Complete and Utter History of Round the Horne and his autobiography A Point of View. He died in 2002. June Whitfield is one of Britain's most respected actresses. She has appeared in a raft of radio and TV shows including Take It From Here, Terry and June and Absolutely Fabulous, and she has played Miss Marple in over a dozen BBC Radio 4 dramatisations of Agatha Christie's novels.
