Whacko! - Titles and Intro

Starred 'Professor' Jimmy Edwards as the conniving, cane-thrashing, horse-betting (and often drunken) Headmaster of Chiselbury School ('For the Sons of Gentlefolk') with his assistants Mr. Oliver Pettigrew, the science master, played by Arthur Howard who was also his long suffering assistant headmaster...a twittering, hand-wringing bag of nerves. Mr. Halliforth was played by Edwin Apps. Also appearing was Gordon Phillott as Mr. Dinwiddie who was very ancient and deaf. The headmaster was always dreaming up schemes to make money for his beer fund and thwacking young boys on the behind with his faithful old cane. Especially a boy called Wendover. Hence Jim's favourite instruction to the boy: "Bend over, Wendover!"

[@77gerbils]

I have nearly finished the Frank Muir autobiography - wonderful.

[@pattayalob]

Strange to relate this but I was once propositioned by Jimmy Edwards in Trafalgar Square many years ago. He asked me to accompany him to a room nearby. I declined at the time (1965) but somehow now, I regret rejecting the offer.

[@SuperAncientmariner]

Flt.Lt J. Edwards DFC, RAF...Lovely bloke.

[@TheShotgunslade]

THANKS FOR SHARING.I CAN JUST ABOUT REMEMBER THE STIR AT HOME WHEN THIS CAME ON! MURPHY TV WITH A FUNNY LID THAT FLEW UP. I TOUCHED IT ONCE AND IT SCARED THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME WHEN IT FLIPPED OPEN. THIS SHOW WAS SO SO POPULAR. I COULDN"T SEE THE RUDDY TV WITH ALL THE GROWN UPS AT HOME SITTING ROUND IN FRONT OF THE LITTLE SCREEN. SUPPOSE THE BEEB LOST THE RUDDY LOT? PITY THEY DIDNT LOSE MOST OF WOT THEY SEEM TO HAVE KEPT AND HUNG ON TO EVERYTHING THEY RUDDY LOST. NICE THOUGHT EH?

[@noelyates]

Alan Yates (1912-1991) wrote the theme tune and incidental music, including the Chiselbury Boating Song, and conducted the orchestra in the live broadcasts of Whacko!

[@john111257]

THANKS FOR POSTING...COULD NEVER REMEMBER THE SCHOOL NAME...

[@creativeoneuk]

The radio versions are currently being broadcast on 4 Extra on Sundays. They're working their way through series 1; some missing but they have the majority. It comes up very well, both technically and as a radio comedy. Let's hope they will go on to series 2 and 3.

[@JohndeRivaz]

I have sent loads of recordings of the radio show (1962-end) to a BBC archivist. Whether they will ever use them is another matter. They did rebroadcast The Clitheroe Kid which was about as non-PC as this, so I suppose they might.

[@jonjamg]

Loved Whacko! How many got whacks of the cane I don't know but Oliver Pettigrew got whacked and was dropped when it transpired that he was gay! I seem to remember that Julian Orchard took over? soooo funny!

[@Ildah]

I remember the main schoolboy character was not Wendover,he was called Taplow,and usually got the better of the Headteacher....

[@JohndeRivaz]

He secretly recorded Vera Lynn singing it to his PE master, Mr Dimwiddie (86) because it was his dying wish. He then tried to pass it off as the matron and school choir on a record. The purpose was to make money, not to raise the school up in esteem.

[@JohndeRivaz]

He appeared under several names. Another was Lumley.

[@BillDFC]

Did he not keep a bottle of whisky hidden in a vase on the shelf of his office?

[@cingle2004jp]

Why tittled Whacko? I'm not sure pourquoi

[@davidscott2821]

Because boys were whacked with the cane back then

[@CBETelevisionNetwork]

are there any full episodes of whacko?