Whacko!

Starred 'Professor' Jimmy Edwards as the conniving, cane-thrashing, horse-betting (and often drunken) Headmaster of Chiselbury School ('For the Sons of Gentlefolk') with his assistants Mr. Oliver Pettigrew, the science master, played by Arthur Howard who was also his long suffering assistant headmaster...a twittering, hand-wringing bag of nerves. Mr. Halliforth was played by Edwin Apps. Also appearing was Gordon Phillott as Mr. Dinwiddie who was very ancient and deaf. The headmaster was always dreaming up schemes to make money for his beer fund and thwacking young boys on the behind with his faithful old cane. Especially a boy called Wendover. Hence Jim's favourite instruction to the boy: "Bend over, Wendover!"

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Whacko
• whacko
• whacko!
• jimmy edwards
• headmaster
• school
• chiselbury
• bbc
• television
• series
• 1950s
• Arthur Howard
• Oliver Pettigrew
• Halliforth
• Edwin Apps
• Gordon Philpott
• Dinwiddie

[WhirligigTV]

Sorry, I have no other Whacko! clips in my collection.

[TheShotgunslade]

THANKS FOR SHARING.I CAN JUST ABOUT REMEMBER THE STIR AT HOME WHEN THIS CAME ON! MURPHY TV WITH A FUNNY LID THAT FLEW UP. I TOUCHED IT ONCE AND IT SCARED THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME WHEN IT FLIPPED OPEN. THIS SHOW WAS SO SO POPULAR. I COULDN"T SEE THE RUDDY TV WITH ALL THE GROWN UPS AT HOME SITTING ROUND IN FRONT OF THE LITTLE SCREEN. SUPPOSE THE BEEB LOST THE RUDDY LOT? PITY THEY DIDNT LOSE MOST OF WOT THEY SEEM TO HAVE KEPT AND HUNG ON TO EVERYTHING THEY RUDDY LOST. NICE THOUGHT EH?

[noelyates]

Alan Yates (1912-1991) wrote the theme tune and incidental music, including the Chiselbury Boating Song, and conducted the orchestra in the live broadcasts of Whacko!

[sandysdad2]

In one episode Jim aimed to move his school up market. Taking Eton as his model, he decided Chiselbury needed its own Boating Song, never mind the only stretch of water locally was a 3ft wide ditch at the bottom of the sportsfield. The Chiselbury Boating Song duly saw the light of day, and Jim somehow persuaded Vera Lynn to go along and perform it! I can only recall the final two lines: 'For we're all on the same river, And we're all in the same boat.' Lennon and McCartney, eat your hearts out!!

[CBETelevisionNetwork]

are there any full episodes of whacko?

[JubalCalif]

What a fun clip! Of course a TV show today would never make jokes about corporal punishment. That would not be what's known as "politcally correct" But the 50's was a more innocent time. And let's face it, back then CP was EXTREMELY common at home & in the schools. Even up until the 80's here on American TV spanking was played for laughs. Very rarely mentioned in today's shows, if at all. THANKS for posting this delightful "blast from the past" !!!

[SuperAncientmariner]

Flt.Lt J. Edwards DFC, RAF...Lovely bloke.

[john111257]

THANKS FOR POSTING...COULD NEVER REMEMBER THE SCHOOL NAME...

[burnt62]

@jonjamg Jimmy Edwards was gay as well.

[Ildah]

I remember the main schoolboy character was not Wendover,he was called Taplow,and usually got the better of the Headteacher....

[BillDFC]

Did he not keep a bottle of whisky hidden in a vase on the shelf of his office?