Richard Murdoch - Much-Binding-In-The-Marsh

Essentially a star of Radio, former chorus boy Richard Murdoch first enjoyed national fame teamed with Arthur Askey in a series titled 'Band Waggon' which ran from January 1938 for several series into the 1940s. His career went on to even greater success when he teamed with Kenneth Horne, first in a wartime series titled 'Merry-Go-Round' from which developed the famous 'Much-Binding' show - which also introduced one time crooner, Sam Costa, whose radio career also went from strength to strength, including in countless variety shows and ultimately success as a Radio 2 disc jockey. Murdoch's radio work later included the long running series, 'The Men From The Ministry' and Kenneth Horne of course will be best remembered for 'Beyond Our Ken' and 'Round The Horne'. Filmed glimpses of all 3 celebrities are included in this excerpt from a stage performance by Richard Murdoch which finds him reflecting on his early years in 'Much-Binding-In-The-Marsh'.

[@AndreaElizabeth100]

It is so great to see this. This is another era we will never have those days again. This gentleman is from a fine generation.

[@RWBHere]

Good old Stinker. Much missed. Thanks for this video.

[@paulhough5941]

Absolute comedy gold! Thank you for bringing this back to life for us.

[@Krzyszczynski]

He was also on that long-running show Many A Slip, partnering Lance Percival (and later David Nixon) against Isobel Barnett and Eleanor Summerfield. Roy Plomley compered and Steve Race did the Musical Mistakes spot. All great fun.

[@malcolmdale]

I remember hearing the first song on the radio it must be seventy years ago - I used to listen to Much Binding in the March every week. Loved it then and it's wonderful to hear it again.

[@charmainewright4140]

Just loved it - so clever & he was a good actor as well.

[@lornamills6936]

Totally love this man and all the radio shows he has been in, don't make em like that any more

[@patrixspringer2753]

Thanks for sharing! Fancy SEEING clips from the radio series! I often wonder why old Stinker isn't better-remembered! I think he's great & always looks & sounds the same weather it was the 1930s or the 1970s!

[@jumbosilverette]

I love Murdoch alongside Arthur Askey in his film roles.

[@cmayfordian4451]

Thank you for posting this... I was so young when first hearing it that I thought the song was 'Mush, blimey in the marsh'! A real treat to hear it again.

[@Typhoidpol]

Great find this thanks for making me smile, iam 40, love old radio comedies.

[@BackToTheBlues]

I think this was from a show for the BBC called "The Old Boys Network". There were some wonderful performances and reminiscences from some classic comedians, wish they'd release it on DVD.

[@Krzyszczynski]

The Much Binding song got a fresh lease of life in the late 60s, when Richard Murdoch and Sam Costa had a regular spot singing it on ITV's The Frost Programme, with words commenting on the more light-hearted news stories of the day. Alas, it looks from a KZbin search as though none of the footage has survived.

[@crossleydd42]

The’ Old Boy Network’ programme, with Richard Murdoch, was broadcast on BBC television on 7th October 1981, when he was 74. He died, just over 9 years later, in 1990.

[@marscobheinn]

I'm enjoying this memory of my wartime childhood on KZbin

[@baxter5431]

"Uncle Tom" on Rumpole of the Bailey. Great to see/hear him here! Thank you!

[@sandrastone7019]

Thank you from Sydney, Ausralia.. a memory as a young child.

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

Delightful, wonderful to actualy see this, great comedy long gone, thank you poster for this

[@MrCrazydaz1]

He was the behind the moomins, great memories as a child, thanks Richard.

[@RWBHere]

Torve Jannsen invented the Moomins.

[@Krzyszczynski]

@@RWBHere Dead right about the author, but she actually spelt her name Tove Jansson.

[@ThePassamezzo]

My uncle taught me the first quatrain of "My aunts name" when I was a child. Looked it up by chance on Google, half thinking it was of his own invention - he was an excellent purveyor of comic verse. This is a delighfull discovery. Somewhere between Dame Edith Sitwell and Flanders and Swann.

[@littlepeanut5557]

Marvelous, and most interesting, a pleasure to watch. Thanx for posting.

[@alexchristoph6004]

Thx for sharing. Its keeping us youngun in touch with old British comedy.wish this was in full.

[@Galacticcannibalx]

I am Irish but I listened to Much Binding in the Marsh on the radio powered by a 48 volt Every Ready ...battery

[@malcolmdale]

Hex Ram I used to listen to Much Binding as a boy, and I still remember those two songs (not all the words of course.) So happy to hear them again after all these years!

[@garrysimpson1395]

Also made 6 appearance"s on Frost on Friday in Early 1970.Available on KZbin.

[@MrGerrymagic]

Still enjoy his long running series on civil servants

[@fixingflaws]

yeah me too in Lizzie Beach Orstrilia!! ! used to listen to it on Exmoor when I stayed with my Mum and Alex and all during the summer hols end of 40s to early 50s I guess - had steam radio or wotever cos no electricity there and water by hand pump as I recall...them were t days right enuf!

[@nickmandleberg]

The wonderful voice of the Moomins!

[@LeRoiDelaRue]

This MUST be the voice who Count Arthur Strong is based on. Steve! True?!

[@davidmcandrew3485]

I listened to an episode of men from the ministry by accident the other night and thought exactly the same

[@richardjeffreys2437]

Oh Palare !! x

[@redhotfunkyblues]

Did John Lennon have this in mind when he wrote I am the Walrus?

[@lornamills6936]

...and his films...

[@NathanJayMusic]

The Eminem of his day

[@RWBHere]

But in a better league. 😉

[@karmelodion]

Moomin narrator

[@richardcummins5465]

When talent was normal. 😂

[@linrkirk]

rapping

[@frazzleface753]

Moomins

[@RWBHere]

But only the narrator. Torve Jannsen wrote the stories.