The Harpoon
Encyclopedia
The Harpoon was a BBC Radio 4
series broadcast between 1991 and 1994, written by Julian Dutton
and Peter Baynham
. It consisted of three four part series and two Christmas specials, and was performed by Julian Dutton, Peter Baynham, Susie Brann, Alistair McGowan
and Mary Elliott-Nelson, and was produced ("on stretched goat's vellum") by Sarah Smith. The series was nominated for a British Comedy Award for Best Radio Comedy, 1992.
The programme was a spoof of boys' comics from the Empire
days of the 20th century, featuring "Your old chum" the Editor (McGowan) presenting regular features, adventure stories, practical advice, readers letters, etc., complete with advertisements. An enthusiastic young reader (Baynham) could be heard turning (and once accidentally tearing) the pages and occasionally commenting. The humour dealt with the anachronistic, politically incorrect
attitudes towards education, class, sex, race, war, etc and patronising style represented by such publications as Boy's Own Paper
. That the name referred to whaling
was made graphically clear on the illustrated front cover of the magazine, in other words in the opening music/sound effects of the programme.
Writing and performances on The Harpoon were of high quality, as was technical production, using 'authentic' voices, sound effects, and music to evoke the era and create the impression of a magazine being read. No commercial release was made, probably because of the use of copyright music, however eight episodes from the first two series are regularly repeated on BBC7, now BBC Radio 4 Extra.
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
series broadcast between 1991 and 1994, written by Julian Dutton
Julian Dutton
Julian Dutton is an English comedy writer and performer, principally for television and radio, whose work has won a British Comedy Award and a BAFTA....
and Peter Baynham
Peter Baynham
Peter Baynham is a screenwriter and a British comedian, writer, and performer. He often collaborates with Armando Iannucci and Chris Morris and has worked with Stewart Lee and Richard Herring. He is first heard on Morris' early radio DJ slots, often going out to places...
. It consisted of three four part series and two Christmas specials, and was performed by Julian Dutton, Peter Baynham, Susie Brann, Alistair McGowan
Alistair McGowan
Alistair McGowan is a British impressionist, stand-up comic, actor, singer and writer best known to British audiences for The Big Impression , which was, for four years, one of BBC1's top-rating comedy programmes - winning numerous awards, including a BAFTA in 2003...
and Mary Elliott-Nelson, and was produced ("on stretched goat's vellum") by Sarah Smith. The series was nominated for a British Comedy Award for Best Radio Comedy, 1992.
The programme was a spoof of boys' comics from the Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
days of the 20th century, featuring "Your old chum" the Editor (McGowan) presenting regular features, adventure stories, practical advice, readers letters, etc., complete with advertisements. An enthusiastic young reader (Baynham) could be heard turning (and once accidentally tearing) the pages and occasionally commenting. The humour dealt with the anachronistic, politically incorrect
Political correctness
Political correctness is a term which denotes language, ideas, policies, and behavior seen as seeking to minimize social and institutional offense in occupational, gender, racial, cultural, sexual orientation, certain other religions, beliefs or ideologies, disability, and age-related contexts,...
attitudes towards education, class, sex, race, war, etc and patronising style represented by such publications as Boy's Own Paper
Boy's Own Paper
The Boy's Own Paper was a British story paper aimed at young and teenage boys, published from 1879 to 1967.-Publishing history:The idea for the publication was first raised in 1878 by the Religious Tract Society as a means to encourage younger children to read and also instil Christian morals...
. That the name referred to whaling
Whaling
Whaling is the hunting of whales mainly for meat and oil. Its earliest forms date to at least 3000 BC. Various coastal communities have long histories of sustenance whaling and harvesting beached whales...
was made graphically clear on the illustrated front cover of the magazine, in other words in the opening music/sound effects of the programme.
Writing and performances on The Harpoon were of high quality, as was technical production, using 'authentic' voices, sound effects, and music to evoke the era and create the impression of a magazine being read. No commercial release was made, probably because of the use of copyright music, however eight episodes from the first two series are regularly repeated on BBC7, now BBC Radio 4 Extra.
Music
Among other pieces, some music found during the series:- Soldiers of the KingSoldiers of the King"Soldiers of the King" is a song written and composed by Leslie Stuart. The song is often sung and published as "Soldiers of the Queen" depending on the reigning monarch at the time....
by Leslie StuartLeslie StuartLeslie Stuart was an English composer of early musical theatre, best known for the hit show Florodora and many popular songs. Stuart began writing songs in the late 1870s, including songs for blackface performers, such as "Lily of Laguna"; songs for musical theatre; and ballads such as "Soldiers...
(used as opening theme). - Who's Been Polishing the Sun by Noel GayNoel GayNoel Gay was born Reginald Moxon Armitage. He also used the name Stanley Hill professionally. He was a successful British composer of popular music of the 1930s and 1940s whose output comprised 45 songs as well as the music for 28 films and 26 London shows...
, sung by Jack HulbertJack HulbertJohn Norman "Jack" Hulbert was a British actor, specialising primarily in comedy productions.-Biography:Born in Ely, Cambridgeshire, he was the elder and more successful brother of Claude. He was educated at Cambridge and appeared in many shows and revues, mainly with the Cambridge Footlights. He...
(closing theme).