Showing results for "The Classics" in Comedy & Humor

Welcome to Fawlty Towers, where attentive hotelier Basil Fawlty and his charming wife Sybil will attend to your every need - in your worst nightmare. With hapless waiter Manuel and long-suffering waitress Polly on hand to help, anything could happen during your stay - and probably will. John Cleese’s special introductions to each episode are included in this collection of all 12 TV soundtrack episodes.

Like a treasured piece of furniture, Just a Minute has graced the living rooms and kitchens of radio listeners for more than 50 years. Comfortable, relaxing and easy to sink into, it has long been the seat of sparkling comedy, infectious laughter and intelligent humour. We invite you once again to enjoy the fine patina of another top-drawer collection of classic episodes.

Warning This recording features strong language. Known simply as 1601, this playful and risqué work by Mark Twain was first published anonymously in 1880 and later acknowledged by the author in 1906. Join us for a humorous glimpse into the lively conversations of the Tudor era, as recounted by Twain himself. (Summary by John Greenman & Wikipedia)

Dive into the whimsical world of Mark Twain with this delightful collection of his most eccentric tales. From sharp political commentary to musings on humanitys desire for legacy, these stories balance humor and truth in unique ways. Together, they create a tapestry of whimsy that captivates and entertains. (Introduction by John Greenman)

What if the beloved characters of fiction occasionally crossed paths? In Old Friends, Andrew Lang invites you to explore this whimsical idea through a series of imaginative letters between iconic fictional figures. Drawing on the notion that in our vast literary universe, these characters must have had untold adventures together, Langs essays brilliantly parody the conventions of the genre. This delightful collection prompts us to consider how the worlds of literature intersect, and what those encounters might look like.

In Letters to Dead Authors, Andrew Lang delivers a series of witty and acerbic letters addressed to a selection of long-gone literary figures. Initially inspired by a playful suggestion from the editor of the St. Jamess Gazette, this collection features sixteen letters that first appeared in that esteemed publication. Langs correspondence is crafted with a unique blend of humor and insight, often tailored to resonate with the personalities of his subjects rather than strictly reflecting his own views. Readers will undoubtedly appreciate the delightful charm and sharp wit that Lang infuses into...

Dive into the whimsical world of Edward Lears A Book of Nonsense, first published in 1846. This delightful collection of limericks features 112 charming and humorous verses that have enchanted audiences of all ages for generations. Join us as we explore the playful imagination and creativity that have made these poems timeless favorites, expertly narrated by Phil Chenevert.

Step into the witty world of Mirror Of Kong Ho, a 1905 satirical masterpiece that presents the letters of a devoted son writing to his Chinese father. Through his humorous lens, the author shares his amusing observations of Western civilization during the late nineteenth century in London. Join us for a delightful exploration of culture clash and clever commentary—perfectly narrated by David Wales.

Meet Edward Henry Machin, affectionately known as ‘Denry’—the charming protagonist of this delightful tale. Set in the bustling pottery towns of the English Midlands during the late 19th century, Denry rises from the humble beginnings of a washerwoman and seamstresss son to become a wealthy figure, celebrated for his vibrant spirit and determination. With his quick wit and unshakeable nerve, he not only finds love and prosperity but also makes history as the youngest mayor of his hometown. As one councillor quips, He’s identified with the great cause of cheering us all up. Join us in ...

Step into the whimsical world of Penelopes English Experiences, a delightful fictional travelogue that follows three American ladies as they embark on an unforgettable journey through England. From the bustling streets of London to the charming village of Belvern, this engaging narrative is filled with humorous sketches of a West-end ball, vivid portraits of quirky locals, and a droll exaggeration of quintessential English traits. The author, known for works like Mother Careys Chickens and A Cathedral Courtship, brings to life a captivating tale that is sure to entertain and amuse.

Brought to you by Penguin. A wickedly clever satire uses comic inversions to offer telling insights into the nature of man and society, the Penguin Classics edition of Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels is edited with an introduction and notes by Robert Demaria, Jr. Gulliver's Travels describes...

Enjoy timeless laughs with the "Classic Comedy Book Collection," filled with humorous tales that stand the test of time. These stories offer a blend of witty humor and classic characters, ideal for those who love a nostalgic yet delightful reading experience. Perfect for a lighthearted break or a joyous trip into classic comedic literature.

Raised by vampyre relatives, Jane grows to resent the lifestyle's effect on her upbringing. No sunlight, nighttime hours, and a diet of bloody red meat is no way for a mortal girl to live. Things change for Jane when the ghost of her uncle visits her, imparts her parents' slayer history, and charges her with the responsibility of striking out to find others of her kind and learn the slayer ways.

From Boston's social underworld emerges Verena Tarrant, a girl with extraordinary oratorical gifts, which she deploys in tawdry meeting-houses on behalf of "the sisterhood of women". She acquires two admirers of a very different stamp: Olive Chancellor, devotee of radical causes, and marked out for tragedy; and Basil Ransom, veteran of the Civil War, with rigid views concerning society and women's place therein. Is the lovely, lighthearted Verena made for public movements or private passions?

An entertaining and surprising ride through an India you thought you knew...

The first of Kafka’s three great novels, The Man Who Disappeared (America) follows the picaresque adventures of Karl Rossman, who is banished to America following a family scandal. Upon his arrival, Karl immediately happens upon his uncle, and from there follows a pattern of wandering, adoption and expulsion as Karl marches inexorably on towards the interior of the continent. With its blitheness and comical moments, The Man Who Disappeared is perhaps the most charming of Kafka’s works.

Martyrs to hypochondria and general seediness, J. and his friends George and Harris decide that a jaunt up the Thames would suit them just fine. But when they set off, they can hardly predict the troubles that lie ahead with tow-ropes, unreliable weather forecasts, and tins of pineapple chunks---not to mention the devastation left in the wake of J.'s small fox-terrier Montmorency.

The Golden Age of Radio featured many of the greatest comedy teams of all time, and this collection features the best of the best. This 17-episode collection features duos including Abbott and Costello, the Bickersons, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Fibber McGee and Molly, Baby Snooks and Daddy, Lum and Abner, Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, and Phil Harris and Alice Faye. You’ll laugh till your sides ache at these great comedy duos!

A member of the landed gentry, with a seemingly guaranteed income from his estate in the country, Oblomov lives in Petersburg, uninterested in the business that provides his living and barely aware that the revenue is diminishing. Not that he leads a dissolute life of extravagance, balls and entertainment. Instead he is a dreamer, a sybarite, content above all to spend most of the day supine, in bed. The novel opens with Oblomov thus ensconced, attended only by his dirty, grumbling, indolent servant Zahar, who has looked after him since childhood, catering to his every need.

Here is the unforgettable 'Fletch', everyone's favourite criminal, making the most of his enforced stay at Her Majesty's Pleasure. Never a man to shrink from a challenge, even from behind bars, Fletch could manage anything from organising a win on the horses to buying a council flat in Mayfair. Amazing his cellmates and infuriating officialdom, Fletch, the Arthur Daley of penal servitude, always comes out on top. Starring Ronnie Barker with Brian Wilde, Richard Beckinsale and Fulton Mackay.