Remembering Ronnie Barker

Britain's favourite performer is remembered by those who knew him best

Breezy and affectionate ... a tender a gently humerous memoir of a man who, by his death in 2005, could truly claim to have acquired the status of national treasure.

A fitting tribute to one of our national treasures

Richard Webber is the author of many TV-related books including Fifty Years of Carry On, Fifty Years Of Hancock's Half Hour and a number of authorised Dad's Army titles, including the hugely successful Dad's Army scripts, as well as books about Only Fools and Horses, Porridge, Rising Damp, Some Mothers Do 'ave 'em and The Good Life.

Ronnie Barker was one of our most respected and best-loved comedy actors and here, in this fascinating biography, Richard Webber delves deep in to the heart of Barker's life and career, peppering his narrative with original and incisive memories from some of Barker's closest contemporaries, including Ronnie Corbett, Michael Palin and Barry Cryer. 
 
Star of the much-adored comedy classics Porridge, The Two Ronnies - one of the most successful and long-running television comedy shows ever on British television - and Open All Hours, Ronnie Barker was universally admired by the public and industry insiders alike. From his early days writing for and performing skits on The Frost Report right up to his retirement in 1988, he lit up television screens across the country with his wonderful gift for comedy and his remarkable skill for character acting. 
 
Beyond his performances on the stage and screen, Barker was also an accomplished comedy writer, providing many of the sketches and songs for The Two Ronnies and contributing material to a number of other television and radio shows. And despite his retirement he retained pole position in the public's affection, returning to the screen in 1999 to team up with his erstwhile comedy partner and great friend Ronnie Corbett for a Two Ronnies night on BBC1, followed by a BAFTA tribute in 2004 and a final appearance on television in 2005 on The Two Ronnies Christmas Sketchbook. 
 
Effortlessly funny, universally adored and an actor and writer responsible for some of Britain's best-loved and most-respected comedy, Ronnie Barker was a true comedy legend. Here he's brought to the page in winning style as he's remembered by those who best loved and knew him.

Fifty Years Of Carry On

A unique biography of the Carry On phenomenon

One for Carry On naysayers as well as the fans, this anniversary insight into a very British world is filled with waspish bon mots, extensive interviews and lots of amusing detail. A comprehensive and warm biography of the key players, as well as the films themselves.

Richard Webber's book is a chronological trawl through the Carry On series covering everything from early successes like Carry On Sergeant, to classics like Carry On up the Khyber ... our most enduring films have been about getting nookie at all costs and the consolations of the biscuit tin. The French got Truffaut, we got Bisto. Bring it on

In this sympathetic, well-researched history, Richard Webber retrieves some of the more lubricious lines lost to the British Board of Censors ... the Carry Ons have become a part of British film history, like Hitchcock and Hammer horror. As vulgar as flock wallpaper, as cheap as fish and chips, they hold a special place in the hearts of young and old alike

Webber understands the Carry On phenomenon entirely: how it's all about the oddness, the dowdiness, the sheer physical uncomfortableness of the British - and their frank terror of sex, best coped with by laughing at it.

A trip down what's to many of us a happily familiar lane

Richard Webber is the author of many TV-related books including Fifty Years Of Hancock's Half Hour and a number of authorised Dad's Army titles, including the hugely successful Dad's Army scripts, as well as books about Only Fools and Horses, Porridge, Rising Damp, Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em and The Good Life.

In August 1958, the opening scenes of a low-budget black and white film flickered onto cinema screens up and down the country. No one could have foreseen what impact Carry on Sergeant would have then and in the future. Not only did it become one of the top three grossing films for that year, it also kick started the longest running and most successful comedy series of all time. 
 
Here, for the very first time, is the essential biography of this most treasured institution in the world of British cinema. Complete with exclusive interviews with cast and crew, and the debut publication of Vince Powell's script of Carry On Down Under, Fifty Years of Carry On is a must for any fan of the unique and ever hilarious spectacle that is Carry On.

Richard Webber

Fans of the "lad himself" will lap up the minutiae in this biography... full of gems.

A timely tribute to a wonderful group of people who, for 50 years, have made a nation laugh.

Many people consider Tony Hancock to be the finest comic actor of them all. November 2004 sees the 50th anniversary of his best-loved work, Hancock's Half-Hour, which began as a radio series, penned by the writers Galton and Simpson. Two years later, the first of 58 TV instalments had been screened, and Hancock's genius, coupled with Galton and Simpson's brilliant scripts, ensured that the show soon became a yardstick against which all subsequent British sitcoms have since been measured. 
Amazingly, no book has ever been written about the show. 
 
Fully authorised by Galton and Simpson, Fifty Years of Hancock's Half-Hour is a full history of the show, including how the show came about, behind-the-scenes stories from Hancock's fellow artists and members of the crew and production team, and the story of its demise. Incorporating extracts from the shows, the book will also feature photographs and a full listing of the radio and TV episodes.

Richard Webber

Praise for Fifty Years Of Hancock's Half Hour

Fans of the "lad himself" will lap up the minutiae in this biography... full of gems.

A timely tribute to a wonderful group of people who, for 50 years, have made a nation laugh.

Books by Richard Webber

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