Homepage Television Heaven Logo
The Hen House

The Hen House

1964 - United Kingdom

The Hen House was a one-off 30 minute sitcom broadcast as part of the Comedy Playhouse series on 10 January 1964. With CP's original writers Alan Simpson and Ray Galton busy creating comedy legend with Steptoe and Son (the first episode of the second series debuted the same week as this Comedy Playhouse offering), it was up to others to pen the one-off sitcoms in the hope that their own offering might lead to a full series. This particular one, written by George Evans and Derek Collyer, didn't-even though it starred Beryl Reid, Barbara Windsor and Dermot Kelly. 

The Hen House is a girls' hostel, Khartoum House, where the chances of a quiet bit of courting are as scarce as snowflakes in August. Only on one evening a week are the residents allowed to invite their boyfriends into the lounge-and only then for nice quiet pencil-and-paper games. As for lingering goodnights on the doorstep, they're out of the question. In the eyes of Mrs Teresa Fanwyn (Reid), hostel warden, a single kiss can lead to a postivie porchful of orgy: 'Once men and women get together, they orge...' The only way of fooling the watchful Teresa, it seems, is to install a TV set in the lounge. Then, with the lights turned low, the boyfriend evenings could become more interesting all round. Not that the girls have in mind cosy sessions with such programmes as Panorama. The set would be used-to quote Cynthia (Windsor)-'as a back row of the pictures.' But Teresa Fanwyn is anti-television; and it is the efforts of the girls and the janitor-handyman-dogsbody, Edwin (Kelly), the pursuade her to change her mind that provide the farcical flavour of The Hen House.

Published on December 21st, 2018. Based on original Radio Times article.

Read Next...

I'm Alan Partridge

An inept broadcaster whose inflated sense of celebrity drives him to treachery and shameless self-promotion.

Also tagged British Comedy

Beryl Reid

She began her career as a comedienne but her legacy endures as a gifted and much loved character actress who left an indelible mark on stage, screen, and radio. Television Heaven remembers the star whose career spanned music hall and Broadway

Also starring Beryl Reid

Johnny Quest

Cartoon series for kids inspired by James Bond.

Also released in 1964

Carry On Henry

"This film is based on a recently discovered manuscript by one William Cobbler, which reveals that Henry VIII did in fact have two more wives. Although it was first thought that Cromwell originated the story, it is now known to be definitely all Cobbler's...from beginning to end!"

Also starring Barbara Windsor

EastEnders

"Preceded by mass publicity and weeks of TV advertisements that introduced each resident individually, the BBC had high hopes for the series even before it hit British TV screens for the first time on 19 February 1985..."

Also starring Barbara Windsor

Life's Too Short TV series

Warwick Davis stars as a showbiz dwarf in this comedy written by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant.

Also tagged British Comedy

Barbara Windsor

"Anybody who raised Phil, Grant, and Samantha must be a mad cow!"

Also starring Barbara Windsor

The League of Gentlemen

Following in the mighty footsteps of Monty Python and influencing popular follow-ups like Little Britain, The League of Gentlemen always felt that little bit more twisted.

Also tagged British Comedy

No, That's Me Over Here

First starring vehicle for Ronnie Corbett who plays a little man (of course) with big ambitions.

Also tagged British Comedy