East End, West End

1 9 5 8 (UK)
6 x 30 minute episodes

Premiering on Tuesday 4 February 1958, this six-part comedy series from Associated-Rediffusion was set in London’s Jewish business community and starred Hancock regular Sid James as a dealer in antique bric-a-brac that nobody envied him trying to sell.

Sid used his wits to stay out of jail and turn a half-honest profit.  Miriam Karlin played his new red-haired wife.

The scripts were by Wolf Mankowitz, with direction by Peter Croft. The humour was the wry, Jewish kind, with Sid frequently stepping out of the action to explain what was going on.

Guest stars included Sidney Tafler, Alfie Bass, Bonar Colleano, Meier Tzelniker, Raymond Huntley, Walter Fitzgerald, Penny Morrell, April Olrich, Jeremy Longhurst and Austin Trevor.

There was originally an intention to produce a further 13 episodes of East End, West End, but reviews were not favourable, and Associated-Rediffusion axed the show after the initial six episodes.

Sid James
Miriam Karlin