On 7th January, BBC Radio 4 Extra played a previously unrepeated edition of the Goon Show, episode 27 of the 6th series, The Man Who Never Was.
What, what, what, what, what, what? you say in your best Seagoon voice. I’ve heard The Man Who Never Was many times. An excellent show it is too
on this compendium too.
Well, yes indeed, but no. That story, adapted by Spike Milligan and Larry Stephens from World War Two’s real Operation Mincemeat, was actually recorded three times by the Goons. The version the BBC has carried up until now was the 1958 recording from series 8.
This repeat is of the 1956 version, which had pretty much the same plot, but there are a few differences. So, if you want to spot them and, for one thing, hear Eccles singing about how he’s ‘young and foolish’, then give this earlier version a listen.
The first recording of the story was made in 1953 as the main part of episode 20 of the 3rd series. It was quite historic, in that it was the first time Harry Secombe’s character was called (Lord) Seagoon, and also the first time the Peter Sellers character was referred to as Bluebottle. There is no available recording of that show, or of any others from series 3.
As Goon Shows played on 4 Extra no longer have the privilege of long term availability on the BBC Sounds app, the series 6 show will be available to stream for 30 days only, here.
Indeed, the calendar is still ticking over on all those Goon Shows which have been available on BBC Sounds for years. Their availability, alas, is due to expire at the end of March. After that, it appears, only shows broadcast during the previous 30 days will be available.
The Man Who Never Was was the first ever subject of Tyler Adams’ GoonPod podcast, back in 2021. You can look listen to it here:
part 1 – part 2
The Goon Show Preservation Society 