quizmail q. 79

[mamma]

what is the title of the british radio series in which a character who was 'a fantastic funster' and a 'colossus of sport' was supported by other characters including Colonel Chinstrap, all played by jack train. i cannot find a character who is described as above. jack train appeared in The great Gilhooly, but i can't find any info. on this programme. am i reading too deeply into this or is it the four word (or four initials) obvious answer. could anyone help please? thanks.

[johnalex]

I think this is your answer:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It's_That_Man_Aga in

[NILYA]

Also see:-
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0870681/

[mamma]

thanks very much johnalex and NILYA.

[swannbaker]

The Golden Age of Radio by Denis Gifford should assist .

[mamma]

thanks swannbaker

[silly moo]

I think the 4 letter / word answer is a dive in, but am uable to find the descriptions either.
Still searching.

[tyrepill]

I.t.m.a

[podger123]

Q 79 Has anyone actually found the words 'fantastic funster" and "colossus of sport" Although still a child I was an avid listener of ITMA and don't remember them which makes me think it must be The Great Gilhooly.Podge

[mamma]

thanks silly moo, tyrepill and podger. i too have been searching for any information on the great gilhooly. all i can find is that it's a long forgotton programme. one of the reasons i'm not happy about ITMA is that it usually states after the question that the 'full title or initials' will be accepted. what do you think?

[gargy]

Great Gilhooley is correct. Both phrases are in my book of radio comedy.

[mamma]

thanks gargy, much appreciated

[oldthes]

When Tommy Handley ,the star of ITMA (It's That Man Again), died in 1949 the BBC tried to replace the programme with a new comedy series, also by Ted Kavanagh, called The Great Gilhooley.This starred the Irish actor Noel Purcell and, I think, several of the old ITMA actors, very likely including Jack Train (Colonel Chinstrap etc).So far as I can recall the series sank without trace and I have been unable to find any trace of it in books about old radio programmes. Does anyone else have any recollections of what happened to the series?

Oldthes

[AlanRM]

The Great Gilhooly
2 October to 25 December 1950 (13 x 30 mins)
This series included Colonel Chinstrap as a regular character.
Cast: Noel Purcell, Jack Train, Joe Linnane, Hugh Morton, Jean Capra, John Bushelle (1-6), Tony Arpino (1 and 2), John Glyn-Jones (6 to 13), Barbera Mullen (8 to 13), The Four Ramblers
Produced by Gordon Crier (1 to 9), Produced by John Watt (10 to 13)
Script by Ted Kavanagh