The Tony Hancock BBC Collection (8 Disc Box Set) [DVD] £24.88 @ Amazon

The label comedy legend is, sadly, banded about with frequent abandon now, often rewarding those whose body of work hasnt yet earned such words (if at all). Yet theres little doubting the pedigree of Tony Hancock, one of Britains greatest comedy talents. And theres no better place to enjoy his work than in The Tony Hancock BBC Collection.
The set brings together a goldmine of Hancocks television work, with the 39 episodes of Hancocks Half Hour still in existence brought together. 17, sadly, are seemingly lost forever, although PDF files of the scripts of these episodes are included in the box, which proves to be a very welcome inclusion.

When it comes to the surviving content itself, though, what else can be said? Some of the material here is simply peerless, a splendid marriage of its superb leading star, blistering writing from Galton and Simpson, and a supporting cast that includes the likes of Sid James and Hattie Jacques. Backed up with fresh supplemental material, Hancocks Half Hour is a British comedy iconic, and theres plenty of evidence why in this set.

It should be stated that The Tony Hancock BBC Collection has little extra to entice those who have bought all the previously released Hancock DVDs. But for those with just a handful of those, or looking to start their collection, then this set is simply superb. A treat for fans of classic comedy young and old. --Simon Brew

DVD Description
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first television broadcast, this collection brings together all 39 surviving episodes (from the original canon of 56) of Hancocks Half Hour and Hancock, from 1956 to 1961. This classic sitcom was written by Galton and Simpson and featured, of course, East Cheam's most famous resident, Tony Hancock.

DVD extras:
The Succession - Son & Heir
Face to Face: Tony Hancock Interview
Missing Scripts PDFs
3 Audio Commentaries with Ray Galton, Alan Simpson and Paul Merton