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The Archive HourEpisodes

  1. I'm in Charge

    Bruce Forsyth and Paul Jackson visit the London Palladium which opened on Boxing Day 1910.

  2. Alexei at the Seaside with the Unions

    Alexei Sayle on his boyhood seaside holidays - at trade union conferences in their heyday.

  3. The People's Republic of Hulme

    How a huge concrete housing estate became a lawless but creative slum - and what followed.

  4. The Bow Dialogues

    Joan Bakewell revisits the debates that took place in a London church in the 1960s and 70s

  5. Rediscovering Your Inner Durrell

    Naturalist Bridget Nicholls reflects on the life of conservationist Gerald Durrell.

  6. Home Recorded Voices

    Sean Street introduces recordings from individuals' domestic archives.

  7. The King and Dr Cannon

    Sean Stowell tells the story of a yogic doctor's role in the Edward VIII abdication crisis

  8. Here's Kenny

    Journalist Mark Paytress examines the life and career of DJ and comedian Kenny Everett.

  9. Fair Play Chaps

    The writer DJ Taylor asks if the era of sporting fair play has gone for ever.

  10. Stella Rimington

    Ex-head of MI5 Stella Rimmington explains the impact on her of Burgess, Maclean and others

  11. Saigon Songs - The Lansdale Tapes

    The story of an American general's musical plan to win 'hearts and minds' in Vietnam.

  12. Potteries Fascists

    Gerry Northam charts the rise and fall of Oswald Mosley.

  13. How Radio Comedy Changed a Nation

    Nicholas Parsons explores the history of radio comedy and its impact on British life.

  14. The Palace and the Beeb

    David Cannadine traces 75 years of the BBC's relationship with the Royal Family.

  15. King of Comedy

    Angus Deayton presents a tribute to comedy producer, writer and performer Geoffrey Perkins

  16. Julian Baggini's Sound Philosophy

    Philosopher Julian Baggini takes a personal journey through the sound archives.

  17. The Voices In My head

    Julian Rhind-Tutt explores how actors archive the sounds of their own voices.

  18. The Shanghai Sailors

    Ivan Howlett tells the story of the Chinese who served in the merchant navy during WW2.

  19. Then Was the Winter of our Discontent

    Anne Perkins recalls the wave of strikes across Britain during the winter of 1978/9.

  20. Liverpool: Sinner and Saint

    Stewart Henderson looks at the changing face of Liverpool through the years.

  21. Fortress Totobag: The Story of the Notting Hill Riots

    Henry Bonsu recalls the Notting Hill riots of August 1958.

  22. Love at the Lighthouse

    Sue MacGregor explores the controversial life of Marie Stopes.

  23. The Man who Invented Stereo

    Martin Shankleman profiles Alan Blumlein, an unsung but remarkable inventor.

  24. Carry On Britain

    Carolyn Quinn asks what the Carry On series of films tells us about British society.

  25. The Dirtiest Race in History

    Steve Cram talks to Ben Johnson about the men's 100 metres race at the 1988 Seoul Olympics

  26. The New York '77 Blackout

    New Yorkers recall July 1977 when lightning caused a blackout in the city.

  27. Piper Alpha's Legacy

    Mark Stephen explores Piper Alpha's legacy, for individuals and for the oil industry.

  28. Like Blackpool Went Through Rock

    Sean Street recalls the groundbreaking 50s series Radio Ballads.

  29. The Ration Book Olympics

    Clare Balding recalls the last time the Olympic Games came to London in 1948.

  30. The Dream Time of Jazz

    Marybeth Hamilton recalls an extraordinary 1938 interview with Jelly Roll Morton.

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