Educating Archie was a radio show, which took over the country in a way no radio show could do now. Kiddies licked Archie Andrews lollipops and washed themselves with Archie Andrews soap; there were Archie Andrews comics and annuals, and the dummy's face appeared everywhere.
After its first break, the show returned with a new tutor: a comedian who had been popular with listeners to Variety Bandbox - one Tony Hancock. Then Max Bygraves (who had had the show's best catch-phrases, "That's a good idea - son!" and "I've arrived, and to prove it, I'm here!") left, and Alfred Marks took over.
When he left, Gilbert Harding briefly took his place. Beryl Reid, (who conceived the characters Monica, the ghastly schoolgirl, and Marlene, the Pride of the Midlands, who was celebrated for her enormous earrings, Brummie accent and her catchphrase "Good evening, each!"). Harry Secombe appeared in the third series. Dick Emery appeared as Grimble ("I hate yew!"). During musical interludes, Ronald Chesney played on his harmonica.
Many up and coming stars cut their teeth on the show. Eric Sykes and Sid Colin wrote the scripts and stars like Beryl Reid (Monica), Harry Secombe, Tony Hancock, Alfred Marks, Bernard Miles, 13 year old Julie Andrews and Gilbert Harding as the handyman with lines like, "Blimey Archie lad, and what have you bin a-doin' of ?", the BBC was not well pleased with that. |
