Past masters of humour, 2 Feb 2006

Robb Wilton's dry meanderings are only dated in their 1930's and 1940's setting. The listener can almost see the confusion growing on Wilton's face as, for example, he tries to tell his wife that his duties as a member of the Home Guard include arresting Hitler if he invades Britain: "She said: 'How will you know which one's Hitler?' I said: 'I've got a tongue in my head, haven't I?'"

We also have the only commercial recording made by Frank Randle, the wild and earthy comic who was almost a god in the industrial North of England in the same period. Being a commercial recording this is a family-friendly Randle, although his 'Old Hiker' still wrings thirty-six burps from his bottle of ale. Anything of Randle is better than nothing, especially as his Mancunian films (cheap and shoddy though they may be) aren't on DVD or video (anyone for a box set?).

Finally there's Billy Russell in character as an aggressive but not very bright little man standing up for the working classes against any form of authority whatsoever.

A great collection for anyone who treasures these great entertainers.

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