A MUCH-BINDING WHO'S WHO

New Zealand Listener, Volume 21, Issue 520, 10 June 1949, Page 14

A MUCH-BINDING WHO'S WHO

Ts a great many New Zealanders the four leading characters in the BBC show "Much-Binding-in-the-Marsh" have become valued personal friends whose regular waggish appearances in NZBS programmes constitute a must for radio listening. The Quartet have now compiled their own "Who’s Who," which is as full of whimsicalities as "Much-Binding" itself. Here it is:

; > 4 «Murdoch, Richard Bernard ORN: Of a Thursday. Educated: Charterhouse, Pembroke College, Cambridge and Folies Bergere. Clubs: Indian and night. Hobbies: Tossing the caber, bulldozing, shooting a line and petitpoint. General: Murdoch, who is the son of his parents, lives at Staines, where he is fond of making coffee and standing in his own gréunds. On leav-ing-no-retiring from-well, as a matter of fact, being sent down from Cambridge became a schoolmaster because he thought he would be good at it and almost immediately left the school because the headmaster thought he would be better at something else. Went on stage. Served with the R.A.F. 1940-45 ‘and finished with the rank of SquadronLeader. Has now finished with the rank of Squadron-Leader. Has also done several broadcasts. a ee

A Horne, Charles Kenneth ( DR) Born: Educated: Also went to Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he was lucky enough not to meet Murdoch. Clubs: No. 3 iron, niblick and putter. Hobbies: Filling forms and long-felt wants, cheese-paring and bird-fancying. General: Kenneth Horne was _ born through circumstances beyond his control..By the age of 13 he could both read and write. His childhood ambition was to become a man and thanks to the encouragement of his parents — almost succeeded, Served in the R.A.F. 1939-1945, and inexplicably rose torank of Wing-Commander, Passionately fond of reconstituted mashed potato powder (sic.) and a lady called Blanche. Motor Non Una Verba Ad Besso. (**Defence Ribbon) *

| « 4xDenham, Maurice / Aliases: Dudley Davenport, Mr. Blake, Percy, Mrs. Tickle, etc., ete. Born: Upstairs. Educated: Tonbridge School and Pen-Friendships. Clubs: Green Room, Tap Room and Jug and Bottle. Hobbies: Washing-up, wiping, using, washing-up, wiping, etc., etc. General: On leaving school went into electric lifts and had his ups and downs. Was then offered job in the theatre and swept the boards. Served with the army during war, became Captain in The Buffs and was subsequently transferred to 9th Medium, R.A. Had previously broadcast with ITMA and many other BBC features, including T'wo’s a Crowd, with another versatile artist, Jack Train. Has appeared in most of the recent British films, playing wide range of ‘parts. Gone to lunch-back in five minutes,

Well, there they are, the purveyors of a type of comedy where the plot, story or build up and the creation of humorous characters are considered of as great importance as funny lines, and where the introduction of certain clearcut characters every week demands fresh situations surrounding them for each appearance. To follow Much-Binding intelligently demands almost as much concentration as did the late lamented ITMA, and it, too, is possibly too fast for Bob Hope. ----

« | | Costa, Samuel | > | Born: Without moustache. Educated: Privately and carelessly. Clubs: Rhythm, loan and handlebar. Hobbies: Finding out what something was and grumbling. | General: Samuel Costa lives at Croynge | (between) Croydon and Penge), but in order to give his wife a change of air to cure twinges spends holidays at Brove Gust outside Budleigh _ Salterton). Started professional career as crooner with dance band against wishes of parents who wished him to take up singing. Served with RAF. (ACH/ Crooner); was heard by officer i/c Music and promptly posted to Iceland. After meteoric R.A.F. career of only five years rocketed to rank of LAC. Decorations: BBC and bar.