This fortnightly comedy and variety show from the BBC was hosted by McDonald Hobley (and his Scotty dog, Kilty) and transmitted live from the BBC’s studios at Alexandra Palace.
Regular features included ‘Collector’s Corner’ with antiques expert Iris Brooke; Ronnie Waldman’s ‘Puzzle Corner’ (long renowned on the radio); the ‘Memory Man’ (Leslie Welch); Mr Pastry (Richard Hearne, pictured); ‘Be Your Own Detective’ (a series of short thrillers designed to test the viewers’ powers of observation); and a charades game called ‘Word Play’ performed by young actors and actresses from the Rank Organisation’s “Charm School”.
The show also featured television’s most attractive line of dancing girls – the Kaleidoscope Girls – who won legions of admirers in their own right.
Tony Hancock had his first regular television role on the programme, appearing for four episodes in 1951. Other guests included Benny Hill, Dick Emery, Valentine Dyall, Bernard Braden, Richard Dimbleby, Petula Clark, Christopher Lee (in his first TV appearance), Julie Andrews, The Beverley Sisters, Anthea Askey, Lionel Blair, Jerry Desmonde and Betty Driver.
Ronnie Waldman conducting his ‘Puzzle Corner’ segment.
Regular features included ‘Collector’s Corner’ with antiques expert Iris Brooke; Ronnie Waldman’s ‘Puzzle Corner’ (long renowned on the radio); the ‘Memory Man’ (Leslie Welch); Mr Pastry (Richard Hearne, pictured); ‘Be Your Own Detective’ (a series of short thrillers designed to test the viewers’ powers of observation); and a charades game called ‘Word Play’ performed by young actors and actresses from the Rank Organisation’s “Charm School”.
