The Light Programme.
Throughout the war years The BBC General Forces Programme,
helped to keep the British people sane. On 28th July1945 it closed down,
to be replaced the next day by Light Programme. In the 40's and 50's it
helped keep our mind off the years of austerity. The fact that we had very
little in the shops was often turned into comedy routines. Our ability
to laugh at our selves and the knowledge that everybody was in the same
boat, made life a bit more bearable.
Richard Murdoch and Arthur Askey.
'Much Binding-in-the-Marsh'
'Hello Playmates'. Arthur Askey was the little man with
the 'Big Heart'. He was a true all rounder in the music hall tradition. He
sold millions of records with comedy songs like "I'm A Busy Bee". 'Much Binding-in-the-Marsh',
was a fictional Air Force base. Staffed by the motley crew of Kenneth
Horne, Richard Murdoch, Maureen Riscoe, Sam Costa and Maurice Denham. Started
during the war, to entertain the RAF, as well as the public. After the war
the team moved into peace time with their usual incompetence. If the RAF
was run like this team ran their air base it was a wonder that we won the
war. Many an old airman did not realise it was a comedy programme, they thought
it was a documentary. In the same vein Richard Murdock and Derick Guyler
were the 'The Men From The Ministry'. It was supposed to show how Government
was run. Again many thought it was a documentary.