Podcast Summary

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Its That Man Again 1940-05-18 – Stage Show Recorded For Forces Radio
Date: January 1, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a lively, full-length broadcast from 1940 of the iconic British wartime comedy program, "It’s That Man Again" (ITMA), performed live at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, and recorded for Forces Radio. The episode is a variety-packed stage show with sketches, rapid-fire gags, running jokes, musical interludes, and impersonations. The style is typical of the era—fast, surreal, and densely packed with wordplay—featuring lead comedian Tommy Handley as the indefatigable ITMA and a supporting cast playing a multitude of recurring and one-off comic characters. The show also includes musical numbers and a special segment, "Top of the Bill," spotlighting actress Hermione Baddeley.

Key Discussion Points & Segment Breakdown

1. Show Introduction & Cast Rollcall ([00:00-03:03])

• The host introduces the show and sets the scene, capturing the excitement of a live audience.
• The overture concludes, and the cast is presented—including Tommy Handley (ITMA), Maurice Denham (Mrs. Tickle), Jack Train (multiple characters), June Marlow (Dotty), and Bobby Lockwood (office boy).
• Host's asides celebrate the glamour and comedy of the ensemble:

  “Twelve lovely secretaries. And believe me, lovely is the right word.”
  — Host ([03:03])

2. Comedy Sketches & Office Antics ([03:03–11:26])

• Mrs. Tickle’s comedic telephone encounter kicks things off, marked by absurd phrases and fumbled names.
• The recurring theme of confusion and chaos in the office is established—a parade of secretaries, comically formal greetings, and banter.
• Running gags about “posted papers,” odd characters such as Winston Churchill as “Circumference,” and a dance number by Johnny Lockwood.
• Satirical “orders” are dictated:

  “All pedestrians must wear a rear light and a gong attached to the seat of authority. Anybody found kicking the gong around, we'll get a clout in the kisser with a kipper.”
  — ITMA (Tommy Handley) ([07:10])

3. Mistaken Identities & Letter Gags ([11:26–14:38])

• ITMA is introduced to his new secretary, Dotty (“I’m a touch typist.” “Well, it’s just the type I want.”).
• Vulcan Vodkin (the White Russian technical expert) debates doubles and impersonations, leading to slapstick misunderstanding.

  “I’ll be festooned with fried fish if I’m not!”
  — ITMA (Tommy Handley), on mistaken doubles ([13:14])

4. The “Stolen Plans” Farce ([14:38–16:04])

• The office deals with missing secret plans. There’s confusion around where the plans are hidden and classic farce as they try to outmaneuver “Foonf.”

  “If these plans fell into the enemy's hands, they’d sprain his wrists.”
  — Passpov/ITMA ([15:40])

5. Impromptu Stand-Up Routine & Signature Song ([17:01–22:51])

• ITMA launches into a vaudeville-style string of rapid-fire jokes (“I walked in the labor exchange—the bloke fainted. They offered him work!”).
• A comic “testimonial” for ITMA’s fictional “perfume” follows.
• Concludes with ITMA leading a rousing, morale-boosting song:

  “…We want 40 million smilers, so come and join the rank and file. Show them we're not shirkers—smile, smile, smile!”
  — ITMA, singing ([21:00])

6. Perfume Parody Segment ([23:11–33:43])

• Satirical advert for “ITMA perfume” with mock testimonials and global endorsements.
• Jack Train performs impersonations of Lionel Barrymore and W.C. Fields in distinctly British parody.

  “I’ve always wanted a baby. You don’t know what it is for a man to want to have a baby?”
  — Jack Train as Barrymore ([31:16])

• Parodic Nazi propaganda broadcast (“Germany calling. The wall engineered by Mr. Churchill is becoming exceedingly difficult…”)

7. Musical Interlude & “Oh Johnny” ([37:18–40:19])

• Dotty (June Marlow) performs “Oh Johnny,” a lively song about a cheeky boy, with flirty and comic overtones:

  “Oh Johnny, oh Johnny, how you can love…”
  — Dotty (June Marlow) ([37:31])

8. Top of the Bill: Hermione Baddeley ([41:15–52:53])

• The segment pivots to Hermione Baddeley, who performs a witty musical monologue “Hotel Peace” as a hotel proprietress, brimming with character observations and innuendo.
• Follows with a phone sketch about a romantic misunderstanding (“Fred? You are going to marry me, aren't you, Fred?”), delivering both comedy and pathos.
• Concludes with an upbeat, war-themed number about Britain’s “Girlettes” (women’s auxiliary corps), blending humor and pride:

  “We’ll show the men what we girls are made for—we’re good Girlettes, ready to do all you ask…”
  — Hermione Baddeley ([53:00])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Office Chaos:
  “Girls, this is most irregular. Most irregular. What will Ms. Whitman say? Look at you. Come on. Come on, you work.”
  — ITMA ([05:19])

• Wartime Satire:
  “Germany calling. Germany calling. The wall which was engineered by Mr. Churchill is becoming exceedingly difficult.”
  — Parody Nazi broadcaster ([33:58])

• Comic Double Entendre:
  “You’d be surprised.” (on typing speed)
  — Dotty ([11:51])

• Morale Booster:
  “There’s nothing like a smile to make you happy… we want 40 million smilers, so come and join the rank and file.”
  — ITMA ([21:00])

• Patriotic Fun:
  “Feed your babies on onions and you’ll find them in the blackout. I’ll see you all again next Friday.”
  — W.C. Fields impression ([33:23])

• Classic Romance & British Humour:
  “Fred? You are going to marry me, aren’t you, Fred? I haven’t got two pennies. Can’t you wait a minute?”
  — Hermione Baddeley ([52:00])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Show Introduction & Cast: [00:00–03:03]
• Office Antics: [03:03–11:26]
• Mistaken Identities: [11:26–14:38]
• “Stolen Plans” Farce: [14:38–16:04]
• Stand-Up/Song: [17:01–22:51]
• Perfume Parody & Impersonations: [23:11–33:43]
• Musical Interlude (“Oh Johnny”): [37:18–40:19]
• Top of the Bill (Hermione Baddeley): [41:15–54:35]

Conclusion

This episode of "ITMA" is a vibrant time-capsule of British radio comedy at its best—fast, surreal, and laden with wordplay. It’s a show designed as much for uplifting wartime spirits as for sharp entertainment, resonating with its zany characters, quickfire jokes, and musical numbers. Even for new listeners, the comedic rhythm, the roster of recurring comic types, and the strong performance chemistry make this classic episode a thoroughly entertaining slice of the Golden Age of Radio.