1955

1955
Armand and Michaela Denis's Filming In Africa broadcast. In the First Division, Chelsea won five-two at Bolton Wanderers, Sheffield United beat Newcastle six-two and Manchester United defeated Blackpool four-one with Duncan Edwards scoring his first goal for The Red Devils. Sunderland, who drew with Tottenham, remained top of the league. Les Cocker and Gerorge Stewart both scored hat-tricks in Accrington Stanley's six-three win over Barrow in the third Division (North). David MacDonald's Three Cornered Fate - starring Joyce Heron, Mark Dignam, Ian Whittaker and Maureen Swanson and Leslie S Hiscott's The Time Of His Life - starring Richard Hearne, Ellen Pollock, Richard Wattis and Frederick Leister premiered.
Constance Cox's Georgia Story broadcast.
Asian Club: The Prospect For 1955 and Quite Contrary - featuring Ruby Murray - broadcast. Ken Hughes's Night Plane To Amsterdam and Douglas Peirce's The Delavine Affair - starring Peter Reynolds, Honor Blackman and Gordon Jackson - premiered. Kim Bennett & The Roland Shaw Orchestra's 'Softly, Softly'/'A Trumpeter's Lullaby' released.
Gordon Daviot's Sweet Coz broadcast. The Goon Show episode 1985 broadcast. The Hancock's Half Hour episode Cindrella Hancock broadcast on The Light Programme. John Paddy Carstairs' One Good Turn - starring Norman Wisdom, Joan Rice, Shirley Abicair, Thora Hird and William Russell - premiered.
England won the third Ashes test at Melbourne by one hundred and twenty eight runs. Colin Cowdrey's century in the first innings and Peter May's ninety one in the second laid the foundation for England's victory. Brian Statham took seven wickets in the match and Frank Tyson's nine. No Australian made more than forty seven. James Thomas Mulville born in Liverpool.
Rowan Sebastian Atkinson born in Consett. Arthur Bostrom born in Rugby. Les Paul & Mary Ford's 'Mister Sandman'/'That's What I Like', Frank Sinatra's 'Someone To Watch Over Me'/'The Gal That Got Away' and Cleo Laine With Johnny Dankworth & His Orchestra's 'I Got It Bad & That Ain't Good'/'Ain't Misbehavin' released.
The UK premiere of Halas and Batchelor's Animal Farm, the first full-length British-made animated feature. John Sturges's Bad Day At Black Rock - starring Spencer Tracy, Robert Ryan, Anne Francis and Lee Marvin - premiered.
The first episode of Return To The Lost Planet broadcast. The FA Cup Third Round saw York City win two-nil at Blackpool, Sheffield Wednesday beat Hastings United two-one, Reading and Lincoln hold Liverpool and Manchester United, respectively, Newcastle United win one-nil at Plymouth Argyle, Luton Town defeat Workington five-nil and Tottenham Hotspur win two-nil at Gateshead. Wolves enjoyed a five-two victory at Grimsby Town. Second Division Nottingham Forst won three-one at Sheffield United.
Annette Mills died from a heart attack following an operation. As a consequence, Muffin The Mule was dropped by the BBC.
The Goon Show episode The Case Of The Missing Heir broadcast. The Hancock's Half Hour episode A Trip To France broadcast on The Light Programme. Robert Hamer's To Paris With Love - starring Alec Guinness, Odile Versois, Elina Labourdette and Jacques François - premiered.
With a larger than usual number of draws having taken place in the FA Cup Third Round, many replays occurred. Darlington and Hartlepools United, Braford City and Brentford and Stoke City and Burnley's ties all remained unresolved going to a third (and, in the case of the latter, a fourth) game before Hartlepools, Brentford and Stoke eventually went through to the next round. Elsewhere, Manchester United beat Reading four-one, Liverpool defeated Lincoln City one-nil, Northern League Bishop Auckland knocked out Ipswich Town three-nil, Torquay United beat Leeds United four-nil and Port Vale defeated West Ham United three-one.
Absent-Minded Anna broadcast. Ken Hughes's The Brain Machine - starring Maxwell Reed, Elizabeth Allan, Patrick Barr and Russell Napier - premiered.
Ruby Murray's 'Softly, Softly'/'What Could Be More Beautiful?' released.
The first episode of The Benny Hill Show broadcast. The BBC broadcast Heinz Sielmann's pioneering nature documentary Zimmerleute Des Waldes as Woodpecker at the behest of David Attenborough and Peter Scott. Billy Bingham scored twice as Sunderland remained at the top of the First Division with a two-one win at relegation-threatened Sheffield Wednesday. Second Division leaders Blackburn Rovers lost five-four at home to Notts County.
The first episode of Sooty and George F Kerr's adaptation of The Voices broadcast.
The Goon Show episode China Story broadcast. The Hancock's Half Hour episode The Monte Carlo Rally broadcast on The Light Programme.
Brian Desmond Hurst's Simba - starring Dirk Bogarde, Donald Sinden, Virginia McKenna, Basil Sydney, Marie Ney, Joseph Tomelty and Earl Cameron - premiered.
Bill Haley & His Comets' '(We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock'/'Thirteen Women' released. And the world was never the same again.
In the First Division, Spurs thumped bottom side Sheffield Wednesday seven-two. Wolves returned to the top of the league, winning two-one against Charlton Athletic whilst Sunderland were held to a draw by Portsmouth. The Third Division (North)'s top scorers Accrington Stanley defeated Mansfield Town three-two whilst Stockport County had a six-nil victory over Bradford Park Avenue. Leyton Orient, five-nil winners against Shrewsbury Town, remained at the top of the Third Division (South).
Guy Hamilton's The Colditz Story - starring John Mills, Eric Portman, Ian Carmichael and Lionel Jeffries - premiered. The Goon Show episode Under Two Floorboards broadcast. The Hancock's Half Hour episode A House Of The Cliff broadcast on The Light Programme.
The first episode of Home & Dry - starring David Nixon - broadcast.
Cap Wil Tomos, the first televised Welsh language play broadcast.
The FA Cup Fourth Round saw a further plethora of drawn matches, with Doncaster Rovers' tie with Aston Villa going to five games and not being resolved until Rovers three-one victory in mid-February. Hartleools United drew with Nottingham Forest before losing the replay two-one. In those matches that were comleted, York City won three-one at Bishop Auckland, Newcastle United beat Brentford three-two, Tottenham Hotspur defeated Port Vale four-two, Liverpool won four-nil at Everton and Manchester City beat Manchester United two-nil.
Nigel Kneale's The Creature broadcast.
John Gilling's The Gilded Cage - starring Alex Nicol, Veronica Hurst, Clifford Evans and Kenneth Cope and David Paltenghi's The Love Match - starring Arthur Askey - premiered. The Goon Show episode The Missing Scroll broadcast. The Hancock's Half Hour episode The Sheikh broadcast on The Light Programme.
England won the fourth test at Adelaide by five wickets as England took a three-one lead in the series and retained the Ashes. Frank Typhoon Tyson took six wickets in the match, as did spinner Bob Appleyard. Needing ninety seven to win, Keith Miller gave England a fright with three quick wickets before Denis Compton and Godfrey Evans saw the tourists safely home. Raoul Walsh's Battle-Cry premiered.
Kirsteen Anne Wark born in Dumfries. Sheffield Wednesday's woeful season continued as they were knocked-out of the FA Cup at Second Division Notts County.
The first episode of Sooty Stays Up broadcast. Terence Fisher's Children Galore - starring Eddie Byrne, June Thorburn, Betty Ann Davies and Richard Leech - premiered.
In the First Division, there were six-one victories for Charlton Athletic (against Aston Villa) and Bolton Wanderers (against Wolves). Manchester United won three-one at Huddersfield Town. Tommy Briggs scored seven as Blackburn Rovers crushed Bristol Rovers eight-three in the Second Division. West Ham United beat Plymouth Argyle six-one (Dave Sexton scoring three, John Dick two) whilst Derby County thumped Port Vale by the same score.
The first episode of The Light Programme's Close Up featured Orson Welles.
James Kirkup's Two Pigeons Flying High broadcast. Henry Cass's Windfall - starring Lionel Jeffries, Jack Watling and Gordon Jackson and Harold French's The Man who Loved Redheads - starring Moira Shearer and John Justin - premiered.
Lady Charing Is Cross broadcast. Carol Harrison born in West Ham. A remake of The Goon Show episode 1985 broadcast. The Hancock's Half Hour episode The Marriage Bureau - guest-starring Peter Sellers - broadcast on The Light Programme.
John Sturges's Underwater! - starring Jane Russell - premiered.
John Ford's The Long Gray Line - starring Tyrone Power and Maureen O'Hara and Albert S Rogell's Before I Wake - starring Mona Freeman, Jean Kent, Maxwell Reed and Hugh Miller - premiered.
Val Guest's The Lyons In Paris - starring Ben Lyon, Bebe Daniels and Barbara Lyon - premiered.
Roy Bentley scored three against his former side as Chelsea beat Newcastle United four-three in the First Division. Manchester City went to Old Trafford and gave their neighbours a five-nil hiding (Paddy Fagan and Joe Hayes each scoring twice). Cardiff City beat Everton four-three. Arthur Rowley hit a hat-trick in Leicester City's six-three defeated of West Bromwich Albion. Wolverhampton Wanderers returned to the league summit, with a glittering six-four victory over Huddersfield Town. Johnny Hancocks and Jimmy Glazzard scored three for their respective sides. In all fifty nine goals were scored in eleven matches. Luton Town lead the Second Division, beating Rotherham United four-nil. Blackburn Rovers, who won two-nil at Plymouth Argyle, remained close behind.
The first episode of Picture Book - presented by Patricia Driscoll - broadcast in the Watch With Mother strand. Basil Dearden's Out Of The Clouds - starring Anthony Steel, Robert Beatty and James Robertson Justice - premiered.
RF Delderfield's The Queen Came By broadcast. The Goon Show episode The Sinking Of Westminster Pier broadcast.
The first episodes of Portrait Of Alison and Look At It This Way broadcast. Gregory Ratoff's Abdulla The Great - starring Kay Kendall, Sydney Chaplin, Alexander D'Arcy and Marina Berti - premiered.
The first episode of Kitchen Magic - featuring Fanny and Johnnie Craddock - broadcast. 'Remember, if you follow the recipe then you, too, can have doughnuts like Fanny's.' The Olive Jar and Ted Allan's Go Fall In Love broadcast.
Douglas Sirk's Captain Lightfoot - starring Rock Hudson, Barbara Rush and Jeff Merrow - premiered. Kim Bennett's 'Melody Of Love'/'Ding Dong' released.
York City's giant-killing run in the FA Cup continued with a three-one Fifth Round victory over Tottenham Hotspur. Wolves beat Charlton four-one. Roy Clarke scored twice as Manchester City won two-nil at Luton Town. Albert Broadbent scored the winner as Notts County defeated Cherlsea. Nottingham Forest drew with Newcastle United in a game which went to two replays. Swansea Town and Sunderland also drew (The Black Cats won the replay).
Wendy Toye's Raising A Riot - starring Kenneth More, Shelagh Fraser and Mandy Miller - premiered.
The first episode of Benbow & The Angels broadcast. The Goon Show episode The Fireball Of Milton Street broadcast. The Hancock's Half Hour episode The End Of The Series broadcast on The Light Programme.
Wolverhampton Wanderers produced a dazzling display to win four-two at Manchester United and stayed top of the First Division.
Wendy Cooper's The Laughing Lady broadcast. A freeze across Britain resulted in more than seventy roads being blocked with snow and, in some parts of the country, rail services cancelled for several days. The Royal Air Force delivered food and medical supplies to the worst affected areas. Edward Dmytryk's The End Of The Affair - starring Deborah Kerr, Van Johnson and John Mills - premiered.
Val Guest's Break In The Circle - starring Forrest Tucker, Eva Bartok, Marius Goring and Eric Pohlman - premeired.
The Goon Show episode The Six Ingots Of Leadenhall Street broadcast. Michael McCarthy's Shadow Of A Man - starring Paul Carpenter, Rona Anderson and Jane Griffiths - premiered.
Michael Troughton born in Hampstead. Alan Monkhouse, replacing the injured Jackie Milburn, scored twice as Newcastle United overcame Nottingham Forest at the third attempt in the FA Cup.
The fifth Ashes test was drawn. The first three days were lost to heavy rain. Tom Graveney scored one hundred and eleven as England made three hundred and seventy one for seven. They then dismissed Australia cheaply and, following on, the hosts were hanging on for a draw at one hundred and eighteen for six at the close. Johnny Wardle took eight wickets in the match.
Vernon Sewell's Where There's A Will - starring Kathleen Harrison, George Cole, Leslie Dwyer, Ann Hanslip and Edward Woodward and Charles Saunders' One Jump Ahead - starring Paul Carpenter, Diane Hart, Freddie mills and Jill Adams - premiered.
Wolverhampton Wanderers thumped Leicester City five-nil in the First Division. Performance of the day came in the Third Division (South) where Reading won six-two at Northampton Town (Dennis Uphill scoring three).
Peter Ustinov's The Moment Of Truth broadcast.
The Goon Show episode The Yehti broadcast.
Elia Kazan's East Of Eden - starring Julie Harris, Raymond Massey and James Dean - premiered. Bristol City moved top of the Third Division (South) with a five-one victory over Millwall.
Franz Schnyder's Heidi Und Peter - starring Heinrich Gretler, Elsbeth Sigmund, Thomas Klameth and Emil Hegetschweiler - premiered.
In the FA Cup Sixth Round, giant-killers York City - who had already knocked-out Blackpool and Tottenham - won at Notts County with an Arthur Bottom goal. Two Ted Purdon goals saw Sunderland beat Wolverhampton Wanderers at Roker Park whilst Manchester City won at Birmingham City. Huddersfield Town and Newcastle United drew one-all (Len White equalising Jimmy Glazzard's goal). John Evans scored four in Liverpol's four-three win at Bury in the Second Division. Rotherham United beat Blackburn Rovers five-one. Accrington Stanley moved six points clear at the top of the Third Division (North) with a four-three win over Bradford Park Avenue.
Bill Haley & His Comets' 'Mambo Rock'/'Birth Of The Boogie' released. Felicity Finch born in Southwark.
The Goon Show episode The White Box Of Great Bardfield broadcast. J Lee Thompson's As Long As They're Happy - starring Jack Buchanan, Janette Scott, Jeannie Carson and Diana Dors, Wendy Toye's Three Cases Of Murder - starring Alan Badel, Orson Welles, John Gregson and André Morell and Lawrence Huntington's Contraband Spain - starring Richard Greene and Anouk Aimée - premiered.
England won the first of a two test series against New Zealand at Dunedin by eight wickets despite their being no play on two days due to rain. Newcastle United reached the FA Cup Semi-Final, beating Huddersfield Town two-nil in a replay at St James' Park.
Pietro Annigoni's famous portrait of Elizabeth II, commissioned by the City of London livery company, the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers, was publicly unveiled. Initially dismissed by some critics as romanticised and 'chocolate boxy', the public rather liked it.
Robert Jeffrey Stelling born in Hartlepool.
Eddie Calvert (The Man With The Golden Trumpet)'s 'Cherry Pink (And Apple Blossom White)'/'Roses Of Picardy' released. Johnny Gavin scored four in Tottenham's five=nil thumping of Sheffield United in the First Division. Wolves drew two-two with Newcastle, Chelsea moved second with a two-nil win at Charlton. Sheffield Wednesday kept their slim hopes of avoiding relegation alive with a two-nil defeat of Preston.
Elaine Morgan's Mirror, Mirror broadcast. Richard Brooks's The Blackboard Jungle - starring Glenn Ford, Sidney Poitier and Vic Morrow and featuring Bill Haley & His Comets' 'Rock Around The Clock' - premiered.
The Goon Show episode The End (aka Confessions Of A Secret Senna-Pod Drinker) broadcast. Leslie Norman's The Night My Number Came Up - starring Michael Redgrave, Sheila Sim, Alexander Knox, Denholm Elliott, Ursula Jeans, Ralph Truman, Michael Hordern, Nigel Stock and Bill Kerr - premiered.
Carole Ashby born in Cannock.
Interrupted Melody - starring Glenn Ford, Eleanor Parker and Roger Moore - and Anthony Mann's Strategic Air Command - starring James Stewart and June Allyson - premiered.
Manchester City beat Sunderland one-nil in the FA Cup Semi Final at Villa Park. Third Division York City draw one-all with Newcastle at Hillsborough, Arthur Bottom equalising after Vic Keeble has given The Magpies the lead. Wolves defeat at Burnley meant that Chelsea went to the top of the First Division wiothout playing. Leciester City beat Aston Villa four-two. Portsmouth won three-two at Everton.
England won the second test at Auckland by an innings and twenty runs leaving New Zealand still without a win in a test match since gaining international status in 1923. New Zealand's second innings total of twenty six remains the lowest total in test matches. Bob Appleyard took four for seven.
The Unguarded Hour broadcast. Marina Sirtis born in London. Chelsea went three points clear at the top of the First Division with a two-one victory over Sunderland. Ralph Thomas' Above Us The Waves - starring John Mills, John Gregson and Donald Sinden - premiered.
Fifty eight thousand saw Newcastle United win the FA Cup Semi Final replay two-nil against York City at Roker Park with goals from Len White and Vic Keeble.
Roy Ward Baker's Passage Home - starring Anthony Steel, Peter Finch and Diane Cilento - premiered. Boyd Bennett & His Rockets' 'Everlovin'/'Boogie At Midnight' and Tony Bennett's 'Stranger In Paradise'/'Take Me Back Again' released.
Duncan Edwards, the eighteen-year-old Manchester United half-back, became the youngest England international in over fifty years, making his debut in a seven-two win over Scotland at Wembley in the Home International championship. Dennis Wilshaw scored four goals, Nat Lofthouse two and Don Revie added another. Laurie Reilley and Tommy Docherty replied for the hapless Scots. There were also international debuts for Manchester City's Jimmy Meadows and Chelsea's Ken Armstrong. Even without Edwards, Manchester United still thrashed Sheffield United five-nil in the First Division. Chelsea won four-two at Spurs whilst Wolves could only draw at home to Preston North End. Blackpool beat Everton four-nil and West Bromwich Albion won four-two at Bolton Wanderers. Second Division leaders Luton Town drew four-all at Liverpool. Stoke City won five-three at Swansea Town. John Atyeo and Arthur Milton scored in Third Division (South) table-toppers Bristol City won two-nil at Watford.
Roy Ward Baker's Passage Home - starring Anthony Steel, Peter Finch and Diane Cilento - premiered.
Alan Chivers' adaptation of Agatha Christie's Spider's Web - with Margaret Lockwood - broadcast. Ken Hughes' Little Red Monkey - starring Richard Conte, Rona Anderson, Russell Napier and Sylva Langova - premiered.
The first episode of Tom Twigge's adaptation of The Children Of The New Forest broadcast. Winston Churchill resigned as Prime Minister due to ill-health at the age of eighty. Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden was named as his replacement. Ian Fleming's third James Bond novel, Moonraker, published. Janice Chegwin born in Liverpool.

Billy Graham's All Scotland Crusade broadcast live from the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow. This had the second highest audience share at the time, after the Coronation. First Division highlights included Sunderland's four-three defeat of Manchester United (Ken Chisholm scored a hat-trick), Leicester City's four-two victory at Preston North End, Manchester City's four-nil thumping of West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United's two-one win at Everton. Sheffield Wednesdat's two-two draw at Bolton meant that they were relegated. In the Second Division, Port Vale's Cyril Done scored four in Vale's four-three win over Liverpool. Birmingham City won five-two at Middlesbrough. Accrington Stanley drew one-all at York City to go five points clear at the top of the Third Division (North), though second-placed Barnley had three games in hand.
The largest First Division crowd of the day - seventy five thousand and forty three- were at Stamford Bridge where leaders Chelsea beat title-challengers Wolverhampton Wanders with a Peter Sillett penalty. Sity thousand were at Maine Road where Don Revie scored the winner for Manchester City against Sunderland. Newcastle thrashed already-relegated Sheffield Wednesday five-nil. Sheffield United defeated Charlton Athletic by the same score. In the Second Division, the top four sides (Luton Town, Blackburn Rovers, Leeds United and Birmingham City) all won. Third Division (North) leaders Accrington Stanley slipped-up badly, losing five-two at home to Hartlepools United whilst Barnsley were beating Chesterfield three-nil.
Shaun Sutton's The Man On The Moors broadcast. Ruth Ellis, a London nightclub manager, shot and killed her lover David Blakely outside a Hampstead pub. She surrendered to police upon their arrival. Despite evidence of the involvement of another lover, Desmond Cussen, she was tried and convicted of murder and was the last woman to be executed in the United Kingdom. Don Siegel's An Annapolis Story - premiered.
Delbert Mann's Marty - starring Ernest Borgnine and Betsy Blair - premiered. Al Hibbler's 'Unchained Melody'/'Daybreak' released. John Charles scored twice as Leeds United beat Luton Town four-nil in a vital Second Division promotion clash at Elland Road. Liverpool's one-all draw with Port Vale saw the league debut of Keith Burkinshaw, the first of four hundred and two appearances for Liverpool, Workington and Scunthorpe United in a career that lasted until 1968. In the Third Division (North) both Scunthorpe & Lisey United and Tranmere Rovers had six-one victories (over Crewe Alexandra and Carlisle United, respectively).
The first episode of For Deaf Children, the precursor of Vision On, broadcast. Jules Dassin's Rififi - starring Jean Servais, Robert Hossein, Magali Noël and Janine Darcey - premiered.
Jimmy Young's 'Unchained Melody'/'Help Me Forget' released.
Montgomery Tully's The Glass Cage - starring John Ireland, Honor Blackman, Geoffrey Keen, Eric Pohlmann, Sid James, Sydney Tafler and Sam Kydd - premiered.
The first episode of The Mulberry Accelerator broadcast. The TV debut of Ken Dodd in an episode of It's A Great Life. Henry Levin's The Dark Avenger - starring Errol Flynn, Joanne Dru, Peter Finch and Yvonne Furneaux - premiered. Wolves kept the First Division title race alive with a three-one win against Arsenal (Johnny Hancocks scoring a hat-trick) as Chelsea drew at Portsmouth. Derby County's miserable season in the Second Division reached an apocalyptic climax with a two-one home defeat to Stoke City that saw them relegated to the third tier just two years after they'd been a First Division side. The top two, Blackburn Rovers and Luton Town shared a goalless draw at Ewood Park. Barnsley moved clear at the top of the Third Division (North) with a two-one win at Crewe. Bishop Auckland won the Amateur Cup, beating hendon two-nil at Wembley (Derek Lewin scored twice).
Peter Campbell MacNeish born in Leigh. William Beaudine's High Society - starring Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall - premiered.
The inauguration of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. The first competition was to be held over two seasons to avoid clashes with national leagues fixtures. Because it was also intended to coincide with trade fairs, it ultimately ran over into a third year, finishing in 1958. Cities that entered teams included Barcelona, Basel, Birmingham, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Vienna, Cologne, Lausanne, Leipzig, London, Milan and Zagreb.
The first of three episodes of Hancock's Half Hour - A Holiday In France - featuring Harry Secombe replacing Tony Hancock who was suffering from nervous exhaustion. Basil Dearden's The Ship That Died Of Shame - starring Richard Attenborough, George Baker, Bill Owen, Virginia McKenna and Roland Culver and Peter Glenville's The Prisoner - starring Alec Guinness and Jack Hawkins - premiered. Bristol City all-but guaranteed the Third Division (South) title with a three-nil win over Crystal Palace at Ashton Gate.
Leyton Orient's defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion meant that Bristol City were crowned Third Division (South) champions.
Sidney Gilliat's The Constant Husband - starring Rex Harrison, Cecil Parker, Sally Lahee, Kay Kendall, Nicole Maurey, Valerie French, Jill Adams and Ursula Howells - premiered.
David MacDonald's Triple Blackmail premiered.
In the First Division, Chelsea won three-nil against Sheffield Wednesday to land their first league title. Wolverhampton Wanderers had a two-one victory at Sheffield United, Bill Perry scored three in Blackpool's six-one defeat of Manchester City and Leicester won a relegation four-pointer over Tottenham Hotspur. Leeds United went top of the Second Division, Harry Brook scoring twice as they beat promotion-rivals Blackburn Rovers two-nil.
The first episode of Orson Welles's Sketch Book and Iain MacCormick's The Safe Haven broadcast.
A mere three points now covered the top six sides in the Second Division table, wins for Stoke City, Rotherham United and Birmingham City taking them ahead of Leeds United, Luton Town and Blackburn Rovers. Accrington Stanley regained the top spot in the Third Division (North) with a three-one win at Hartlepools United, but Barnsley remained promotion favourites, having two games in hand.
George Bernard Shaw's You Never Can Tell broadcast featuring the TV debut of Bernard Hepton. The Hancock's Half Hour episode The Crown Jewels broadcast on The Light Programme.
Chelsea celebrated their fiftieth anniversary, winning the First Division title - the first major trophy of their history. They finished four points above runners-up, defending champions Wolves (who lost on the final day three-two at Cardiff), who were level on points with Portsmouth and Sunderland. Manchester United recovered after a slow start to finish fifth. Tottenham Hotspur could only manage a disappointing sixteenth-place, despite the acquisition of Danny Blanchflower from Aston Villa. Leicester City (defeated three-one at Huddersfield Town) joined Sheffield Wednesday in going down to the Second Division. Luton Town won three-nil at Doncaster Rovers to secure promotion, with Leeds United (three-one winners at Fulham) currently in second place. However, both Birmingham City and Rotherham United still had a game to play. Blackkburn Rovers, in the top two for the majority of the season, fell away badly in the final weeks and finished sixth despite having the division's top scorer, Tommy Briggs. Ipswich Town, who lost at Notts County, were relegated. Chesterfield thrashed Accrington Stanley six-one (Billy Sowden scoring four) to all-but hand the Third Division (North) title to Barnsley.
Paul Dickson's The Stateless Man premiered.
Derek Twist's Police Dog - starring Joan Rice, Tim Turner, Charles Victor, Nora Gordon, Cecil Brock, John Le Mesurier, James Gilbert and Christopher Lee - premiered. Rotherham United moved into the Second Division promotion places with a six-one victory over Liverpool.
The Hancock's Half Hour episode The Racehorse broadcast on The Light Programme. Barnsley clinched the Third Division (North) title with a two-nil victory over Rochdale.
Daddy Long Legs - staring Bingh Crosby and Leslie Caron - premiered. Birmingham City's dramatic five-one win at Doncaster Rovers saw them secure promotion to the First Division. Rotherham United, level on points with second-placed Luton Town, missed of on goal average. The Millers would never get as close to the top tier of English football again.
Newcastle United won the FA Cup for the third time in five years, beating Manchester City three-one. Jackie Milburn, George Hannah and Bobby Mitchell scored for The Magpies, Bobby Johnstone replying for City.
David Paltenghi's Orders Are Orders - starring Peter Sellers, Brian Reece, Tony Hancock, Sid James, Donald Pleasence and Eric Sykes - premiered.
Bless 'Em All broadcast, celebrating the tenth anniversary of VE day.
The Hancock's Half Hour episode A Visit To Swansea broadcast on The Light Programme.
The first episode of Off The Record presenting 'the latest news from the record industry' and hosted by the thoroughly odious full-of-his-own-importance berk Jack Payne broadcast. The opening episode featured appearances by Max Bygraves, The Four Aces, George Shearing, Alma Cogan, Ronnie Hilton and Jean Metcalfe. Terence Young's That Lady - starring Olivia de Havilland, Paul Scofield, Gilbert Roland and Françoise Rosay - premiered.
England began their three-game continental tour with a one-nil defeat against France in Paris. Raymond Kopa of Reims scored the winner goal. Chelsea's Peter Sillett and Wolves' Ron Flowers both made their interantional debuts. Lawrence Huntington and Julio Salvador's Contraband Spain - starring Richard Greene, Anouk Aimée and Michael Denison - premiered.
Michael Anderson's The Dam Busters - starring Richard Todd, Michael Redgrave, Ursula Jeans, Basil Sydney and Patrick Barr - premiered.
Sir Anthony Eden hosted a Erection Broadcast for the Conservative Party, the first of its type. The thirty minute programme featured government ministers pitted against newspaper editors. Thunder Rock and the first episode of The Explorer broadcast. The Hancock's Half Hour episode The Holiday Camp broadcast on The Light Programme. Leslie Hylton, the former West Indies test cricketer, was hanged for the murder of his wife, Lurline, in Jamaica.
David Nixon's Nixon Mix - scripted by Eric Sykes and Spike Millican - broadcast. England drew one-all with Spain in a friendly international at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. Roy Bentley scored for the visitors. The game also saw the debut for Spain of several of the soon-to-be-immortal Real Madrid side including Francisco Gento and José María Zárraga. In a bad-tempered match Nat Lofthouse had his shirt ripped off his back in the first-half and played throughout the second half with a numberless replacement shirt. Gay Soper born in London.
Pippa Page born in Epsom.
The first episode of The Ted Ray Show broadcast. Wolf Rilla's Stock Car - starring Paul Carpenter, Rona Anderson, Susan Shaw, Harry Fowler, Paul Whitsun-Jones and Sabrina - premiered.
England concluded their European tour with a desperately poor performance in Lisbon, losing three-one to Portugal who had not won an international for six years, since they beat Wales in May 1949. Roy Bentey scored England's goal. Dale Jonathan Winton born in Marylebone.
Charles Saunders' The Hornet's Nest - starring Paul Carpenter, June Thorburn and Marla Landi - premiered.
Michael Anderson's The Dambusters - starring Richard Todd and Michael Redgrave - premiered. The Hancock's Half Hour episode The Chef That Died Of Shame broadcast on The Light Programme.
Disney's Davy Crockett, King Of The Wild Frontier - starring Fess Parker - premiered.
The General Erection occurred. The Tories won. Charles Vidor's Love Me Or Leave Me - starring Doris Day and James Cagney - premiered.
The first episode of Terminus broadcast. The opening play, Margin For Error, featured the UK TV début of Patrick McGoohan.
David Lean's Summertime - starring Katharine Hepburn, Rossano Brazzi, Darren McGavin and Isa Miranda - premiered.
John Gilling's Tiger By The Tail - starring Larry Parks, Constance Smith, Lisa Daniely, Cyril Chamberlain and Donald Stewart - premiered.
The Hancock's Half Hour episode Prime Minister Hancock broadcast on The Light Programme. Melville Shavelson's The Seven Little Foys - starring Bob Hope, Milly Vitale, Angela Clarke and Lydia Reed - premiered.
The first episodes of JB Priestley's You Know What People Are and Bobby In France broadcast. Billy Wilder's The Seven Year Itch - starring Marilyn Monroe and Tom Ewell - premiered.
Arthur Lubin's Footsteps In The Fog - starring Stewart Granger, Jean Simmons, Bill Travers and Belinda Lee - premiered.
The first episode of Bath-Night With Braden broadcast. Barbara Graham, convicted of murder, was executed in the gas chamber at San Quentin Prison on the same day as her two accomplices, Jack Santo and Emmett Perkins, all of whom were involved in a robbery that led to the murder of an elderly widow. Nicknamed 'Bloody Babs' by the media, Graham was the third woman in California to be executed by gassing. Her story would be told in the 1958 film I Want To Live!, in which she was portrayed by Susan Hayward, who won the Academy Award. Cy Endfield's The Secret - starring Sam Wanamaker, Mandy Miller, André Morell and Richard O'Sullivan - premiered.
Ken Hughes's Confession - starring Sydney Chaplin, Audrey Dalton, John Bentley and Peter Hammond - premiered. The first European club competition match with English involvement took place, albeit with a representative London XI (managed by Joe Mears and containing players from Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal, West Ham United, Fulham, Charlton Athletic and Queens Park Rangers). They took part in the first Inter-Cities Fairs Cup and beat Basel five-nil in Switzerland. Arsenal's Cliff Holton scored a hat-trick and Charlton's Eddie Firmani added another two. The competition would meander on for the next three years before being decided.
The Southlanders With Philip Green & His Orchestra's 'Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine?)'/'The Crazy Otto Rag' and Dick James' 'Unchained Melody'/'Come Back (Come Back To Me)' released.
The Children and Young Persons (Harmful Publications) Act came into effect, with the intention of protecting children from horror comics. RG Springsteen's Track The Man Down - starring Kent Taylor, Petula Clark, George Rose, Kenneth Griffiths and Ursula Howells - premiered.
The Hancock's Half Hour episode The Rail Strike broadcast on The Light Programme. Dean Sullivan born in Liverpool.
The TV début of Semprini on an episode of Off The Record.
England won the first of a five test series against South Africa at Trent Bridge by an innings and five runs. With Len Hutton unable to play because of lumbago, Peter May captained England for the first time. A new opening pair of Don Kenyon and Tom Graveney started with ninety one and Kenyon went on to make eighty seven. May scored eighty three, but Ken Barrington on his debut, lasted only three balls. England's innings took nine hours, but South Africa's batting was even slower. After five wickets had fallen for fifty five runs, Jackie McGlew, whose sixty eight took three hundred and five minutes and Cheetham (fifty four) put on ninety four in three hours. But Johnny Wardle finished the innings with four wickets for twenty four runs in thirty two overs. May enforced the follow-on, but McGlew (fifty one) and Trevor Goddard (thirty two) survived to the end of the third day and beyond a delayed start on the Monday. Then, with fast bowlers unable to bowl from one end because of dampness, Frank Tyson and Trevor Bailey took eight out the ten wickets from the other, Tyson finishing with figures of six for twenty eight.
William James Smyth born in Swindon.
The first episode of Peter Scott's groundbreaking Natural History series Look broadcast. The Hancock's Half Hour episode The Television Set broadcast on The Light Programme. Gillian Bailey born in Wimbledon. Paul James O'Grady born in Tranmere. Debbie Arnold born in Sunderland.
David Lean's Summertime - starring Katharine Hepburn- premiered. The Hancock's Half Hour episode The Three Sons broadcast on The Light Programme.
Howard Hawks's Land Of The Pharaohs - starring Jack Hawkins and Joan Collins and Disney's Lady & The Tramp premiered.
Margaret Elizabeth Philbin born in Manchester. Charles Lamont's Abbott & Costello Meet The Mummy - starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello and Marie Windsor - premiered.
The first TV appearance - though, sadly not the last - of Mike and Bernie Winters in an episode of Variety Parade.
Michael Geoffrey Jones born in Wandsworth. Leslie Arliss' adaptation of See How They Run - starring Ronald Shiner, Greta Gynt, James Hayter, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Dora Bryan and Richard Wattis - premiered.
England won the second test at Lord's by seventy one runs. A fast pitch produced a match which was exciting throughout. England batted, but Peter Heine, on his test debut, made the ball lift awkwardly and took five wickets for sixty runs. Trevor Goddard supported with four for fifty nine. Jackie McGlew and Goddard both went for ducks, but after tea on the first day the pitch lost its spitefulness. Russell Endean started the recovery with forty eight and then Roy McLean hit one hundred and forty two out of one hundred and ninety six in just over three-and-a-half hours. Headley Keith added one hundred and nine for the sixth wicket with McLean. Facing a deficit of one hundred and seventy England lost Don Kenyon quickly, Tom Graveney (sixty) added one hundred and thirty two with Peter May, who then added a further ninety six with Denis Compton (sixty nine). May made one hundred and twelve before he trod on his wicket. Hugh Tayfield was South Africa's most successful bowler with five for eighty. Brian Statham removed both openers before the end of the third day and a ball bowled by Fred Trueman hit Jack Cheetham on the elbow and chipped a bone. Aided by a two-hour break for bad light, Statham bowled throughout the innings, taking the first seven wickets to fall and finishing with seven for thirty nine. Fred Titmus made his test debut.
The first episode of Something To Shout About! - with Nancy Spain, Avril Angers and Ian Carmichael - broadcast. The Hancock's Half Hour episode The Marrow Contest broadcast on The Light Programme. Stanley Kramer's Not As A Stranger - starring Robert Mitchum, Olivia De Havilland and Frank Sinatra - premiered.
The first episode of the TV version of Life With The Lyons broadcast.
Paul Dickson's The Mysterious Bullet - starring Robert Churchill, Robert Raglan and Carol Marsh - premiered.
Maurice Elvey's Room In The House - starring Patrick Barr, Hubert Gregg and Marjorie Rhodes - premiered.
The first episode of Holiday Hotel - introduced by Jewel & Wallis and Jimmy Clitheroe - broadcast.
Bernard Knowles' Barbados Quest - starring Tom Conway, Delphi Lawrence, Brian Worth and Michael Balfour and leslie Arliss' Miss Tulip Stays The Night - starring Diana Dors, Patrick Holt, Jack Hulbert and Cicely Courtneidge premiered.
The first episode of The Gordon Honour broadcast. The Hancock's Half Hour episode The Matador broadcast on The Light Programme.
Ronald Gow's Trumpet In The Clouds broadcast. Michael Curtiz's We're No Angels - starring Humphrey Bogart and Aldo Ray - premiered.
The first episode of Dixon Of Dock Green - PC Crawford's First Pinch - broadcast.
RG Springsteen's Secret Venture - starring Kent Taylor, Jane Hylton, Kathleen Byron, Karel Štěpánek, Frederick Valk and Maurice Kaufmann - premiered.
An adaptation of Terence Rattigan's The Browning Version broadcast. South Africa won the third test at Old Trafford by three wickets and effected England's first defeat at Manchester since 1902 with a mere three minutes to spare. Another lively pitch brought a decent scoring rate and several injuries: Godfrey Evans broke a finger and Tom Graveney kept wicket in South Africa's second innings. England's first innings owed almost everything to Denis Compton, who having forgotten his kitbag, sauntered into the Lancashire Museum and borrowed an antique bat off the display, made one hundred and fifty eight and shared a fifth wicket stand of one hundred and forty four with Trevor Bailey. Jackie McGlew and Trevor Goddard (sixty two) shared an opening partnership of one hundred and forty seven, but after Goddard was out, McGlew became another finger injury casualty and four further wickets fell cheaply. Johyn Waite and Paul Winslow then came together and shared a sixth wicket partnership of one hundred and seventy one, both making centuries. When McGlew resumed his innings at the fall of the seventh wicket, he became the third century-maker with an unbeaten one hundred and four. England lost openers Don Kenyon and Graveney for a run apiece. Then Peter May, with one hundred and seventeen, shared century stands with Compton (seventy one) and Colin Cowdrey (fifty). The injured Evans made thirty six of a last-wicket partnership of forty eight with Bailey, meaning South Africa needed one hundred and forty five to win in one hundred and thirty five minutes. McGlew and McLean hit seventy two in fifty minutes and though wickets fell regularly after that, the target was achieved in what would have been the penultimate over. Ralph Thomas' Doctor At Sea - starring Dirk Bogarde, Brigitte Bardot, James Robertson Justice, Brenda De Banzie and Joan Sims - premiered. Ruth Ellis became the last woman to be hanged in Britain, at Holloway Prison. John Warrington's It's A Great Day - starring Ruth Dunning, Edward Evans, Sid James, Vera Day and Sheila Sweet - premiered. A big-screen adaptation of The Grove Family it was one of the first British movies based on a TV format.
The first episode of Appointment With Drama - The Rivals - broadcast. David MacDonald's Man In Demand - starring Dorothy Gordon, Eric Lander and Christopher Lee - premiered.
The first episode of The Pelicans & The Pirates broadcast.
Stirling Moss became the first English winner of the British Grand Prix at Aintree.
Winterborne St Martin entered the UK Weather Records with the highest twenty four-hour rainfall - two hundred and seventy nine millimetres - a record which stood until November 2009. Bill Haley & His Comets' 'Razzle Dazzle'/'Two Hound Dogs' and Ruth Brown's 'Mambo Baby'/'Mama (He Treats Your Daughter Mean)' released. Charlton Athletic sold their centre forward, Eddie Firmani, to Sampdoria for a record thrity five thousand quid. South African-born Firmani would later play for Inter Milan and Genoa and represent the Italian national side before returning to Charlton in 1963, playing more than two hundred times for The Addicks across three spells and managing the club for three years from 1967.
The BBC brought into service the Divis transmitting station, its first permanent 405-line VHF Band facility serving Northern Ireland, marking the launch of a television service for the Province; the Thirty Five kiloWatt transmissions could also be received in much of the Republic of Ireland. Henry Cornelius' I Am A Camera - starring Julie Harris, Laurence Harvey, Shelley Winters, Ron Randell, Lea Seidl and Anton Diffring - premiered.
Henry Koster's The Virgin Queen- starring Bette Davis, Richard Todd and Joan Collins and Maurice Elvey's You Lucky People - starring Tommy Trinder, Mary Parker, Dora Bryan and Rolf Harris - premiered.
César Fernández Ardavín's Tangier Assignment - starring Fernando Rey, Bob Simmons and Gustavo Re - premiered.
The Vale Of Shadows broadcast. Charles Laughton's only film as a director, the classic The Night Of The Hunter - starring Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish, Billy Chapin and Sally Jane Bruce and William Fairchild's John & Julie - starring Colin Gibson, Lesley Dudley, Noelle Middleton, Moira Lister, Wilfrid Hyde-White and Sid James - premiered. South Africa won the fourth test at Headingley by two hundred and twenty four runs.South Africa lost half their first innings wickets for thirty eight and were then ninety eight for seven. Innings of forty one apiece by Roy McLean and Russell Endean gave the total some respectability; Peter Loader took four wickets for fifty two runs. England's new opening pair of Trevor Bailey and Frank Lowson failed and only Peter May with forty seven and Denis Compton (sixty one) made runs against an attack depleted by injury to Neil Adcock. Just twenty behind on the first innings, South Africa's openers, Jackie McGlew and Trevor Goddard, shared a stand of one hundred and seventy six, the highest first-wicket partnership against England to that point. Headley Keith made seventy three and, after a mid-innings collapse, Russell Endean shepherded the lower order batsmen to a total of five hundred. Tom Graveney opened with Lowson as England sought four hundred and eighty one in eight hours. Peter May (ninety seven) and Doug Insole (forty seven) put on a century for the third wicket. The rest of the batting was worn down by Goddard and Hugh Tayfield, both of whom finished with five wickets in the innings.
The Guinness Book Of Records published for the first time.
The first episode of This Is Your Life broadcast. The presenter was Ralph Edwards and the recipient of The Big Red Book was Eamonn Andrews who took over presenting duties from the following episode and remained with the show until his death in 1987. John Sturges's The Scarlet Coat - starring Cornel Wilde, Michael Wilding, George Sanders and Ann Francis - premiered.
Peter MacNab took a photograph at Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness which depicted two long black humps in the water. The photograph was not made public until it appeared in Constance Whyte's 1957 book on the subject. On 23 October 1958 it was published by the Weekly Scotsman. Author Ronald Binns wrote that the 'phenomenon which MacNab photographed could easily be a wave effect resulting from three trawlers travelling closely together up the loch.' Other researchers consider the photograph a - not particularly elaborate - hoax. Roy Mackal requested to use the photograph in his 1976 book. He received the original negative from MacNab, but discovered it differed from the photograph which appeared in Whyte's book. The tree at the bottom left in Whyte's was missing from the negative. It is suspected that the photograph had been doctored.
Christopher Miller born in Kingston On Thames. John Ford and Mervyn LeRoy's Mister Roberts - starring Henry Fonda, James Cagney, William Powell and Jack Lemmon - premiered.
Guy Fergusson's The Gold Express - starring Ivy St Helier, Ann Walford, Vernon Gray, Delphi Lawrence and Sam Kydd - premiered.
The Private War Of Major Benson - starring Charlton Heston - premiered.
Alfred Hitchcock's To Catch A Thief - starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly - released.
Terence Fisher's Stolen Assignment - starring John Bentley, Hy Hazell, Eddie Byrne and Joyce Carey and Phillip leacock's Escapade - starring John Mills, Yvonne Mitchell and Alastair Sim - premiered.
An adaptation of Twenty Minutes South broadcast.
Henry Cass's The Reluctant Bride - starring John Carroll, Virginia Bruce, Brian Oulton, Kay Callard, Arthur Lowe and Pamela Brown and Ken Annakin's Value For Money - starring John Gregson, Diana Dors, Susan Stephen and Derek Farr - premiered.
A Great Britain representative side were beaten four-one by a Rest Of Europe team at Windsor Park, Belfast in a game to celebrate the Irish Football Association's seventy-fifth anniversary. Stanley Matthews scored to Britain whilst France's Jean Vincent equalised and Yugoslavia's Bernard Vukas hit a hat-trick in a Euorpe side that included the likes of Lorenzo Buffon, Ernst Ocwirk and Raymond Kopa. The match was the last time all four home nations would join forces in a competitive fixture.
An adaptation of The Wise Cat broadcast. Gillian Taylforth born in Islington.
Carol Reed's A Kid For Two Farthings - starring Celia Johnson, Diana Dors, David Kossoff and Joe Robinson - premiered. Bill Haley & His Comets' 'Farewell, So Long, Goodbye'/'I'll Be True' released.
England won the fifth test at The Oval by ninety two runs. Humid conditions initially assisted the South African seam bowlers Heine and Fuller before rain set in from early afternoon and the pitch when play resumed on the Monday was soft. Goddard's left-arm bowling brought him five wickets as England struggled to one hundred and fifty five (Brian Close top-scoring with thirty two) but, when South Africa batted, it was the spin bowlers Tony Lock and Jim Laker who caused most damage. England's second innings was built around a defiant unbeaten eighty nine by Peter May who shared partnerships with Denis Compton and Tom Graveney. Hugh Tayfield bowled fifty two consecutive overs and took five for sixty. South Africa needed two hundred and twenty four to win and the match was effectively lost in the course of three overs from Lock and Laker in which the opening partnership between McGlew and Goddard was broken and the next three batsmen failed to score. Lock finished with four for sixty two, with Laker taking five for fifty six.
Henry King's Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing - starring Jennifer Jones and William Holden - premiered.
Newport County's five-nil defeat Shrewsbury Town in the Third Division (South) saw the league debut of Len Weare - the first of five hundred and twenty six games for The Ironsides in a career that lasted until 1970. In the process he broke Ray Wilcox's appearance record for the club, established in 1959. Darlington's three-nil defeat at neighbours Hartleools United in the Third Division (North) saw the club debut of Ron Greener - the first of record four hundred and ninety games for The Quakers in a career that lasted until 1967. The First Division campaign kicked-off with Tom Finney scoring twice in Preston North End's four-nil win at Everton, Newcastle United beating Sheffield United four-two and Blackpool beating Arsenal three-one. Champions Chelsea lost two-nil at home to Boltom Wanderers. Both promoted sides, Birmingham City and Luton Town, earned two-two draws (with Manchester United and Charlton Athletic, respectively). Sheffield Wednesday got off to a flying start to life in the Second Divison, winning five-two against Plymouth Argyle (Jackie Sewell scoring three and Albert Quixall two). Leicester City also had a good start, winning four-two at Hull City. Fulham won five-one at Bury and Liverpool defeated Nottingham Forest three-nil (Alan A'Court scoring twice). Promoted Bristol City and Barnsley also got off to winning starts (against Swansea Town and Leeds United).
The first episode of The Prince & The Pauper broadcast.
Chris Dane's 'Cynthia's In Love'/'My Ideal ' and Chordettes' 'Humming Bird'/'Lonely Lips' released.
In the Third Division (North) Bob Crosbie scored four in Grimsby Town's six-one victory over Chest whilst Derby County won five-two at Southport. Anatole Litvak's The Deep Blue Sea - starring Vivien Leigh, Kenneth More and Eric Portman - premiered
Les Cocker and Wattie Dick both scored in Accrington Stanley's three-nil win over Rochdlae in the Third Division (North). Stop sniggering, you lot.
George More O'Ferrall's The Woman For Joe - starring Diane Cilento, George Baker, Jimmy Karoubi, David Kossoff, Violet Farebrother, Earl Cameron and Sydney Tafler - premiered.
Val Guest's The Quatermass Xperiment - starring Brian Donlevy, Jack Warner, Richard Wordsworth, Margia Dean, Maurice Kaufmann and Jane Asher - premiered.
Roy Swinbourne scored four in Wlverhampton Wanderers' seven-two thrashing of Manchester City in the First Division. Preston North End beat Newcastle United four-three whilst Manchester United defeated West Bromwich Albion three-one. Spurs' early-season struggles continued, losiung two-one at Luton Town. Bedford Jezzard scored four in Fulham's five-one victory over Barnsley in the Second Division. The day's highest aggregate score was Southend United's six-three victory at Colchester United in the Third Division (South).
In the Third Division (North) game between Tranmere Rovers and Gateshead (a one-all draw), Tranmere dropped centre-half Harold Bell. It was the first time Bell had missed a Tranmere first team game since he made his debut in 1946 (a run of over four hundred consecuitve games).
Robert Furnival's The Slackering Field broadcast. Francis Searle's One Way Out - starring Jill Adams, Eddie Byrne and Lyndon Brook - premiered.
The Labour MP Christopher Mayhew took LSD for a - subsequently unbroadcast - episode of Panorama. Edward Dmytryk's The Left Hand Of God - starring Humphrey Bogart, Gene Tierney and Lee J Cobb, Gene Kelly's It's Always Fair Weather and Frank Launder's Geordie - Bill Travers, Paul Young, Alastair Sim and Norah Gorsen - starring premiered.
Stephen Philip Jones born in Shepherd's Bush. Fifty goals were scored in eleven First Division fixtures. Wolves went goal-mnad at Cardiff City, winning nine-one (Johnny Hancocks and Roy Swinbourne both scored hat-tricks). Blackpool's Bill Perry also scored three in his side's seven-three victory over Sunderland as did Nat Lofthouse for Bolton who defeated Arsenal four-one. Portsmouth won five-one at Chelsea whose poor start to their defence of the title continued. Newcastle United beat Burnley three-one. Lincoln City threashed Leciester City seven-one in the Second Division. West Ham United defeated Notts Count six-one. One hundred and eighty two goals were scored across all four divisions.
The first episode of the second TV version of The Brains Trust broadcast. The initial panel was Julian Huxley, George Edwards, John Nicholas, Peter Brook and Paul Bennett and the Question-Master was Hugh Ross Williamson. Richard Baker and Kenneth Kendall became the first BBC television newsreaders to be seen in-vision. The first episode of Sunday-Night Theatre - Jack Perry's Indoor Sports - broadcast.
Fats Domino's 'Ain't That A Shame'/'La La', Pat Boone's 'Ain't That A Shame'/'Tennessee Saturday Night', Kim Bennett's 'The Kentuckian Song'/'Overnight', Mac Wiseman's 'The Kentuckian Song'/'Wabash Cannon Ball', Jimmy Young's 'The Man From Laramie'/'No Arms Can Ever Hold You' and Frank Sinatra's 'My Funny Valentine'/'I Get A Kick Out Of You' released.
The first episode of The Woodentops broadcast in the Watch With Mother strand and the first episode of David Nixon's It's Magic. Federico Fellini's Il Bidone - starring Broderick Crawford, Richard Basehart and Giulietta Masina - premiered in Venice.
The first episodes of Saturday Night Out - presented by 'The Man With The Mike' Robert Beatty - and As I Was Saying broadcast. The first episode of Sports Special - presented by Peter Dimmock - featured highlights from the First Division match between Luton Town and Newcastle United, which the hosts won four-two. Jean Delannoy's Chiens Perdus Sans Collier - starring Jean Gabin, Robert Dalban, Jean-Jacques Delbo and Dora Doll - premiered.
The first appearance on The Brains Trust of its most celebrated contributor, Doctor Jacob Bronowski. Yellow Sands broadcast in the Sunday-Night Theatre strand. Frank Sinatra's 'My Funny Valentine'/'I Get A Kick Out Of You' released.
The first episode of Crackerjack broadcast. Airfix produced their first scale model aircraft kit, of the Supermarine Spitfire. League champions Chelsea won the FA Charity Shield, beating cup holders Newcastle three-nil at Stamford Bridge.
The first episode of Gardening Club - presented by Percy Thrower - broadcast in the Club Time strand. Janet Ellis born in Chatham, Kent.
Blackpool remained top of the First Division with a two-one victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Jackie Milburn scored three in Newcastle united's four-one defeat of Charlton Athletic. Manchester United beat Preston North End, three-two. Everton beat Spurs, who remained rooted to the bottom of the table, two-one. Bristol Rovers were the early pace-setters in the second Division, beating Hull City two-one. Nottingham Forest thumped Doncaster Rovers five-nil. Middlesbrough's one-all draw with Barnsley in the Second Division saw the debut of twenty year old Brian Clough, the first of two hundred and ninety eight games for Boro, Sunderland and England in a career that lasted until 1965 before it was cruelly cut short by injury. Although he played all bar three of those games in the Second Division, Clough's goals record was remarkable, two hundred and sixty seven at close to a goal a game.
The Sunday People made public that Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean, who defected to the Soviet Union in 1951, were spies and not merely 'diplomats' as previously reported. Britain annexed Rockall. Why, no one knew. Then or, indeed, now.
The Goon Show episode The Man Who Won The War (aka Seagoon MCC) broadcast. David Haig Collum Ward born in Aldershot. Lewis Gilbert's Cast A Dark Shadow - starring Dirk Bogarde, Margaret Lockwood, Kay Walsh, Kathleen Harrison and Robert Flemyng - premiered.
The first episode of Playbox - with Eamonn Andrews and Johnny Morris - broadcast.
Commercial television began, with the launch of ITV in London - Associated-Rediffusion on weekdays, ATV at weekends. The rest of the UK received their own regional channels over the course of the following seven years. The BBC cleverly conspired to shag-up ITV's big night by killing off the popular character of Grace in The Archers. The first episode of Highlight - presented by Macdonald Hastings - and Philip Mackie's The Hole In The Wall broadcast. Richard Sale's Gentlemen Marry Brunettes - starring Jane Russell, Jeanne Crain, Alan Young, Scott Brady and Rudy Vallee - premiered.
The first episodes of Take Your Pick, Small Time, Sixpenny Corner, Friday's Girl and Round The World With Orson Welles broadcast on Associated-Rediffusion along with the first UK broadcast of Dragnet.
The first episodes of Colonel March Of Scotland Yard (Passage At Arms), My Hero and Saturday Showtime broadcast on ATV London. Berkeley Mather's Mid-Level broadcast in the TV Playhouse strand (it would subsequently be renamed Television Playhouse from April 1956).
The first episodes of The Adventures Of Robin Hood, The Adventures Of Noddy, Sunday Night At The London Palladium - hosted by Tommy Trinder and Theatre Royal (later known as Lilli Palmer Theatre) broadcast on ATV London. The first UK broadcasts of I Love Lucy and Roy Rogers.
The first episodes of Off The Record and BBC Television Tea Party broadcast. The first episode of Charles Chilton's Journey Into Space broadcast on The Light Programme. Clarence Birdseye began selling fish fingers in Britain. And, to this day, we still don't know what's in 'em. The first episodes of Double Your Money and The Graville Melodramas broadcast on Associated-Rediffusion. The first UK broadcast of Four Star Theatre.
The Goon Show episode The Secret Escritoire broadcast. A Month In The Country broadcast in Associated-Rediffusion's International Theatre strand.
The Message In The Jar broadcast. The first episode of The Scarlet Pimpernel broadcast on Associated-Rediffusion.
The first episode of Jack Hylton Presents ... Variety broadcast on Associated-Rediffusion. RG Springsteen's Cross Channel - starring Wayne Morris, Yvonne Furneaux, Patrick Allen, June Ashley and Carl Jaffe - premiered.
Alfred Hitchcock's The Trouble With Harry - starring Edward Gwenn, John Forsythe and Shirley MacLaine - premiered. The first episode of Mick & Montmorency broadcast on Associated-Rediffusion.
Val Guest's They Can't Hang Me - starring Terence Morgan, Yolande Donlan, André Morell and Ursula Howells - premiered.
The first episode of The Blakes broadcast. England beat Denmark five-one in a friendly international in Copenhagen. Nat Lofthouse and Don Revie both scored twice with Bristol Rovers' debutant Geoff Bradford adding a fifth. There were also debuts for Luton Town's Roy Bayham and Birmingham City's Jeff Hall. An injury to Stanley Matthews meant an England recall for Jackie Milburn for the first time since 1951, making his thirteenth and final appearance for the national side. A record fifty thousand crowd packed into the Idraetspark Stadium to see this match which was arranged as part of the promotion of a British Exhibition. The match was watched by the Duke of Edinburgh, as well as the Danish King Frederik IX and his wife, Queen Ingrid. Charles Deane's Stolen Time - starring Richard Arlen, Susan Shaw and Vincent Ball - premiered.
Terence Fisher's The Flaw - starring John Bentley, Donald Houston, Rona Anderson and Tonia Bern and Michael Truman's Touch & Go - starring Jack Hawkins, Margaret Johnston and June Thorburn - premiered. The first episode of My Wildest Dream - featuring Ted Ray, Tommy Trinder, Jimmy Edwards and Harry Secombe - broadcast on The Light Programme. It would subsequently transfer to television on ITV the following year.
The first episode of Great Scott - It's Maynard broadcast. The first episode of The Light Programme's Pick Of The Pops - initially presented by Franklin Engelmann - broadcast. The Goon Show episode The Lost Emperor broadcast.
William Wyler's The Desperate Hours - starring Humphrey Bogart and Fredric March - premiered. The first episode of Fanny's Kitchen broadcast on Associated-Rediffusion.
Mark Robson's Trial - starring Glenn Ford and Dorothy McGuire - premiered. Lonnie Donegan's Skiffle Group With Chris Barber's Backstairs Session EP ('Midnight Special', 'New Burying Ground'/'It Takes A Worried Man To Sing A Worried Song', 'When The Sun Goes Down') released. The first episode of Friday's Girl broadcast on Associated-Rediffusion. 'In this unsophisticated, informal programme Sheila Matthews sings three songs of varying types, accompanied by an ensemble of piano, bass, drum, vibraphone, electric guitar and clarinet.'
Victor Tourjansky's Königswalzer - starring Marianne Koch, Michael Cramer, Joe Stöckel, Linda Geiser and Sabine Hahn - premiered. The highlight of the day's First Division fixtures was Manchester United's four-three victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Fulham topped the Second Division after a five-nil defeat of Hull City (Bedford Jezzard scored all five).
This Is Music Hall featured the final public appearance together of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Made by the Grand Order of Water Rats, the variety organisation, Stan and Oliie provided a filmed insert where they reminisced about their many friends in British variety. Others taking part included Max Bygraves, Charlie Chester, Fred Emney, Nat Jackley, Charles Kunz, Dave O'Gorman, Bob and Alf Pearson, Wilfred Pickles, Ted Ray, Cardew Robinson, Jack Train, Tommy Trinder (the then current 'King Rat') and Wee Georgie Wood. Don Sharp's The Stolen Airliner - starring Fella Edmonds, Diana Day, Michael Maguire, Nicola Braithwaite and Peter Dyneley - premiered.
The first 405-line colour test transmissions began from Alexandra Palace.
Rhyme & Rhythm broadcast. The Goon Show episode Napoleon's Piano broadcast. Fred Zinnemann's adaptation of Oklahoma! - starring Gordon MacRae, Shirley Jones and Gloria Grahame - premiered. The first episode of Shopping Guide - presented by Anne Valery - broadcast on Associated-Rediffusion. For its second episode, on 8 November, it was renamed Girl On A Date.
The first episode of The Dave King Show broadcast. Blackpool remained top of the First Division with a five-nil defeat of Charlton Athletic. Jackie Mudie scored three and Dave Durie, two. Birmingham City also won five-nil at Portsmouth. Swansea Town went to the top of the Second Division, winning two-one at Bristol Rovers (Mel Charles and Ivor Allchurch were on target). Mark Robson's A Prize Of Gold - starring Richard Widmark, Mai Zetterling, Nigel Patrick and George Cole - premiered. The first episodes of Michaela & Armand Denis: Operation Clean-Up and People Are Funny broadcast on ATV London.
The first episode of The Show Band Show broadcast. Ken Hughes's Timeslip (aka The Atomic Man) - starring Gene Nelson, Faith Domergue, Peter Arne, Joseph Tomelty and Donald Gray and the same director's Joe MacBeth - starring Paul Douglas, Ruth Roman, Bonar Colleano, Grégoire Aslan and Sid James - premiered.
The Goon Show episode The Case Of The Missing CD Plates broadcast.
The Hancock's Half Hour episode The Pet Dog broadcast on The Light Programme.
Orson Welles's Mister Arkadin premiered in Madrid.
The Nelson Touch broadcast. Floyd Cramer's 'Rag-A-Tag'/'Aunt Dinah's Quiltin' Party ' released.
The first episode of Quatermass II broadcast. England lost two-one to Wales in the Home International championship at Ninian Park. Derek Tapscott and Cliff Jones scored for the hosts with a John Charles own goal credited to the visitors. Sunderland, three-two winners at Spurs, went to the top of the First Division. Elsewhere, Charlton Athletic beat Portsmouth six-one, Birmingham City beat Manchester City vfour-three, Newcastle United defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers three-one and Manchester United thumped Huddersfield Town three-nil. Bobby Robson scored twice as Fulham beat Leicester City three-two in the Second Division. West Ham United thrashed Doncaster Rovers six-one. Top met bottom as Swansea Town beat Hull City four-one. In the Third Division (North) Stockport County defeated Tranmere Rovers seven-nil.
Clara Anne Hulley born in Wakefield.
The Goon Show episode Rommel's Treasure broadcast. George Sherman's Count Three & Pray - starring Van Heflin and Joanne Woodward - premiered.
This Is Show Business broadcast. The Hancock's Half Hour episode The Jewel Robbery broadcast on The Light Programme. Nicholas Ray's Rebel Without A Cause - starring James Dean, Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo - premiered. A London XI containing the likes of Ted Ditchburn, Peter Sillett, Danny Blanchflower, Charlie Hurley, Vic Groves, Roy Bentley and Charlie Mitten played their second Inter-Cities Fairs Cup match, beating a Frankfurt XI three-two at Wembley. Fulham pair Bedford Jezzard (two) and Bobby Robson scored. Herbert Wilcox's King's Rhapsody - starring Errol Flynn, Anna Neagle and Patrice Wymore - premiered.
Jeffrey Stewart born in Aberdeen.
The first episode of Jon Pertwee Goes Round The Bend broadcast. Blackpool's George Farm headed the opening goal in a First Division match against Preston North End. Farm had earlier injured his shoulder and switched roles with striker Jackie Mudie. However, despite his efforts, Preston won six-two with Tom Finney and Tommy Thompson among the scorers. League leaders Manchester United won one-nil at Cardiff with a Tommy Taylor winner. Charlton won four-two at Arsenal. Tottenham Hotspur, beaten four-one at Portsmouth remained bottom. In the Second Division, Bristol City won a remarkable game six-four at Blackburn Rovers. Willie Gardiner scored four in Leciester City's four-0one defeat of Port Vale.
The first episode of St Ives broadcast.
Princess Margaret announced that she did not intend to marry Group Captain Peter Townsend. Which was benefitial since it meant he could, later, form The Who. Obviously. Slim Whitman's 'Song Of The Wild'/'You Have My Heart' released.
The Storm Bell broadcast. Britain's Teenagers broadcast in the Special Inquiry strand. The Goon Show episode Foiled By President Fred broadcast. Henry Cass' No Smoking - starring Reg Dixon, Peter Martyn, Belinda Lee, Lionel Jeffries and Ruth Trouncer and John Lemont's The green Carnation - starring Wayne Morris, Mary Germaine and Marcia Ashton = premiered. The first episode of Dick Lester's Downbeat broadcast on Associated-Rediffusion.
England beat Northern Ireland three-nil at Wembley in the Home International championship. Dennis Wilshaw scored twice with Tom Finney adding a third. Blackburn Rovers' Ronnie Clayton and Blackpool's Bill Perry made their England debuts. The Hancock's Half Hour episode The Bequest broadcast on The Light Programme.
Josh White featured on Personality Parade. The Star Without A Name broadcast. Joseph Mankiewicz's adaptation of Guys & Dolls - starring Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons and Frank Sinatra - premiered.
The Tender Trap - starring Frank Sinatra and Debbie Reynolds - premiered. The first episode of Love & Kisses broadcast on Associated-Rediffusion.
Ken Hughes's Murder Anonymous - starring Edgar Lustgarten, Peter Arne, Jill Bennett and Ewen Solon - premiered. John Ryan scored four in Charlton Athletic's five-two victory over Manchester City in the First Division. Everton beat Huddersfield Town by the same score.
Wolf Rilla's The Blue Peter - starring Kieron Moore, Greta Gynt, Sarah Lawson, Mervyn Johns, Mary Kerridge and Harry Fowler - premiered.
The Prime Minister denied in Parliament that Kim Philby was the 'Third Man' of the Cambridge Spy Ring. But, he was. Queen Bee - starring Joan Crawford - premiered. Eve Boswell With Glenn Somers & His Orchestra's 'Pickin' A-Chicken'/'Blue Star (The Medic Theme)' released.
AP Herbert's The Water Gipsies - featuring the TV début of Jimmy Perry - band the first episode of The Modern Universe - a precursor of The Sky At Night, presented by Raymond Lyttleton - broadcast. The Goon Show episode Shangri-La Again broadcast.
Wolves beat Moscow Dynamo two-one in a floodlit friendly at Molineux. The Hancock's Half Hour episode The New Neighbour broadcast on The Light Programme. I Died A Thousand Times - starring Jack Palance, Shelley Winters and Lee Marvin and Roy Boulting's Josephine & Men - starring Glynis Johns, Jack Buchanan, Donald Sinden, Peter Finch, Heather Thatcher and William Hartnell - premiered. Karen Dotrice born in Guernsey.
Charles Saunders' A Time To Kill - starring Jack Watling, Rona Anderson, John Horsley, Russell Napier, Joan Hickson and John Le Mesurier - premiered.
Highlight of the day's First Division fixtures was Newcastle United's six-two victory at Huddersfield Town (Vic Keeble scored four with Charlie Crowe and Len White getting the other goals). Bolton Wanderers beat Manchester Untied three-one allowing Sunderland, who drew four-all with Burnley, to go top of the league. Spurs hauled thmselves off the foot of the table with a two-one win at Manchester City. In the Second Division, Blackburn Rovers thumped Port Vale seven-one and Leicester City defeated Swansea Town six-one.Performance of the day came i nthe Third Division (South) where Leyton Orient spanked Crystal Palace eight-nil to go top of the division.

Lonnie Donegan's 1954 recording of the traditional American folk song 'Rock Island Line' was released as a single on Decca with 'John Henry' on the b-side. A hit early following year, its success would kick-start a teenage skiffle craze which, effectively, led to the formation of just about every British rock and/or roll group of the 1960s and beyond. Edna Savage & The Nuffield Centre Chorus' 'Arrivederci Darling'/'Bella Notte' released.
Kathleen Shepherd's Sauce For The Gander broadcast. The Goon Show episode The International Christmas Pudding broadcast.
Jose Ferrer's The Cockleshell Heroes - starring José Ferrer, Trevor Howard and Christopher Lee - premiered. The Hancock's Half Hour episode The Winter Holiday broadcast on The Light Programme.
Donald Ross's The Case Of Mr Pelham - starring Richard Wattis - broadcast.
Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's Oh ... Rosalinda!! - starring Michael Redgrave and Ludmilla Tcherina - premiered.
In the FA Cup First Round, Brighton & Hove Albion thrashed Newport County eight-one (Peter Harburn scored four, Dennis Foreman three). There were also big wins for Brentford (four-nil against Eastern Counties League March Town United) and Leyton Orient (seven-one versus Southern League Lovell's Athletic, Ron Heckman scoring five) and Southport (six-one over Lancashire Combination Ashton United, George Bromilow hitting five). In all minor-league clashes, Bedford Town beat Leyton three-nil, Bishop Auckland defeated fellow North League side Durham City three-one, Boston United had a three-two victory over Northwich Victoria, Hendon won four-two at Halesown Town and Hastings United thumped Southall six-one. Burton Albion won three-one at Wycombe Wanderers, Worksop Town defeated Skegness Town four-nil and Weymouth beat Salisbury three-two. Tranmere Rovers won two-nil at Wasington Colliery Welfarew, Hartlepools United beat Gateshead three-nil, Grimsby Town won five-one at Netherfield and Watford had a five-three victory against Ramsgate Athletic. Forty two goals were scored in eleven First Division matches with Luton Town's eight-two hammering of Sunderland being the obvious stand-out. Newcastle beat Cardiff four-nil whilst Birmingham City went one beter against Huddersfield Town. Blackpool's two-one win at West Bromiwhc took them top of the table.
The documentary The Way To The West broadcast. Billy Vaughn & His Orchestra's 'The Shifting Whispering Sands Part 1 & 2' and The Duke & Duchess With Sir Hubert Pimm's 'Borrowed Sunshine'/'Get Ready For Love' released.
George Maxwell Alagiah born in Colombo, Ceylon. Carlisle United and Darlington shared a goalless draw in an FA Cup replay, a somewhat inauspicious game to be the first cup-tie played under floodlights. Muriel Box's Simon & Laura - starring Kay Kendall, Peter Finch, Muriel Pavlow, Hubert Gregg, Maurice Denham and Ian Carmichael - premiered.
The Hancock's Half Hour episode The Blackboard Jungle broadcast on The Light Programme. Derby County defeated Northern League Crook Town five-one in an FA Cup replay.
Ian Terence Botham, born in Heswall, Cheshire. John Paddy Carstairs' Man Of The Moment - starring Norman Wisdom, Lana Morris, Belinda Lee, Jerry Desmonde and Karel Štěpánek - premiered.
In the Second Division, Bristol Rovers thumped Middlesbrough seven-two, Liverpool defeated Fulham seven-nil and Leicester City beat Leeds United five-two.
Aldershot defeated Yeovil Town three-nil in an FA Cup replay whilst Darlington beat Carlisle United three-nil at St James' Park.
The Goon Show episode The Sale Of Manhattan (The Lost Colony) broadcast. England beat Spain four-one in a friendly international at Wembley. Bill Perry scored twice with further goals from Tom Finney and Bristol City's Johnny Atyeo making his international debut. This was the first occasion in which Wembley's floodlights were used for an England international. The Hancock's Half Hour episode The Red Planet broadcast on The Light Programme. Patricia Highsmith's novel The Talented Mister Ripley first published.
Peter Cotes' The Right Person - starring Margo Lorenz, David Markham and Douglas Wilmer - premiered. Eamonn Andrews' monumentally awful 'The Shifting Whispering Sands - Parts 1 & 2' released. The first episode of Jazz Train broadcast on Associated-Rediffusion.
Manchester United returned to the top of the First Division, beating Sunderland two-one. Birmingham defeated Arsenal four-nil and West Brom had a victory by the same score against Portsmouth. Newcastle beat Bolton three-nil, Everton and Chelsea drew three-all and Charlton defeated Huddersfield three-one. Following his England debut early in the week, Johnny Atyeo hit a hat-trick for Bristol City in their five-one victory over Lincoln City in the Second Division. Ron Wylie also scored three for Notts County who thumped Bristol Rovers five-two. In the Third Division (North) Jack Parry scored three in Derby County's six-two victory against Darlington. Another trio went to Halifax Town's Clive Baker in a six-nil thrashing of Bradford Park Avenue. Brighton & Hove Albion also scored sixc without replay against Norwich in the Third Division (South).
Fontane Sisters' 'Rolling Stone'/'Daddy-O ' and Ken Carson's 'Hawkeye'/'I've Been Working On The Railroad' released.
The Goon Show episode The Terrible Revenge Of Fred Fu-Manchu broadcast.
Edward Felix Tudor-Pole born in Lambeth.
Night Thoughts, 'a radiophonic poem for voice and orchestra by David Gascoyne with music by Humphrey Searle' broadcast. The Hancock's Half Hour episode The Diet broadcast on The Light Programme. The first UK broadcast of Douglas Fairbanks Presents - Atlantic Night - on Associated-Rediffusion.
The Goon Show episode The Missing Christmas Parcel - Post Early For Christmas broadcast. Alexander Mackendrick's The Ladykillers - starring Alec Guinness, Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom, Jack Warner, Frankie Howerd and Katie Johnson - premiered.
The first episode of The Adventures Of Annabel broadcast. Midland League Boston United recorded a six-one victory at Derby County in the Second Round of the FA Cup, with Geoff Hazledine scoring a hat-trick. This remains a record away win by any non-league team against League opponents. It had been reported that the Boston team were on a win bonus of thirty five pounds a man. The team included six former Derby players. The other major surprise was Bedford Town's three-two victory over Watford. Exeter City beat Hendon six-two, George Luke scored twice as Hartlepools United won two-one at Chesterfield and Bradford Park Avenue defeated Workington four-three. Forty four goals were scored in eleven First Division matches. Nat Lofthouse scored four in Bolton's six-nil thumping of Birmingham City. Blackpool beat everton four-nil. Lincoln City thrashed Fulkham six-one in the Second Division. The first UK broadcast of Lassie in Associated-Rediffusion's Junior TeleVision strand.
Montgomery Tully's Dial 999 (aka The Way Out) - starring Gene Nelson, Mona Freeman, Sydney Tafler and John Bentley - premiered.
Christopher Cockerell patented his design of hovercraft. Daniel Mann's adaptation of The Rose Tattoo - starring Burt Lancaster and Anna Magnani - premiered.
Laurence Olivier's Richard III - co-starring Claire Bloom, Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud and J Lee Thompson's An Alligator Called Daisy - starring Donald Sinden, Jeannie Carson, James Robertson Justice, Diana Dors and Stanley Holloway - premiered. The Goon Show episode The Lost Year broadcast.
The Hancock's Half Hour episode A Visit To Russia broadcast on The Light Programme. Birmingham League Burton Albion reached the Third Round of the FA Cup with a one-nil victory over Halifax Town. The first UK broadcast of Gunsmoke under the slightly altered title Gun-Law! - presumably to avoid confusion with the John Wayne-hosted series Gunsmoke which had already been broadcast on Associated-Rediffusion, starting on 7 December. Gun-Law! reverted to its US title in 1961. Paul Tabori's Alias John Preston - starring Alexander Knox, Betta St John and Christopher Lee - premiered.
The Queen's Dragon, the first episode of A Rubovian Legend broadcast. Otto Preminger's The Man With The Golden Arm - starring Frank Sinatra and Kim Novak and Maurice Elvey's Fun At St Fanny's - starring Fred Emney, Cardew Robinson, Vera Day, Johnny Brandon, Davy Kaye, Freddie Mills, Gerald Campion, Miriam Karlin and Stanley Unwin - premiered. Another lower-league side, Worksop Town, knocked-out a Third Division team, Bradford City, in an FA Cup replay. Peterborough United had less luck, losing two-one at home to Swindon Town. As did Bishop Auckland, who were defeated two-nil at Scunthorpe.
Film Time: Location King's Cross broadcast.
Mark Robson's The Bridges At Toko-Ri - starring William Holden and Grace Kelly - premiered. Manchester United remained top of the First Division with a two-one win over Birmingham City. Nat Lofthouse got another hat-trick in Bolton's four-nil defeat of Chelsea. Portsmouth thrashed relegation-threatened Huddersfield Town five-two. Billy Liddell scored three for Liverpool in a five-two defeated of Nottingham Forest in the Second Division. Stoke city beat Doncaster Rovers by the same score. Notts County thumped Middlesbrough five-nil. In the third Division (North), York City won five-four at Wrexham. Norwich City had the biggest win of the day in the Third Division (South), hammering Southend United seven-two.
Bill Haley & His Comets' 'Rock-A-Beatin' Boogie'/'Burn That Candle' released.
The Goon Show episode The Greenslade Story broadcast. The Humphrey Lyttelton Band featured on Associated-Rediffusion's One Night Stand.
The Hancock's Half Hour episode The Trial Of Father Christmas broadcast on The Light Programme. Wendy Toye's All For Mary - starring Nigel Patrick, Kathleen Harrison, David Tomlinson and Jill Day - premiered.
The first episode of Vera Lynn Sings broadcast. Otto Preminger's The Court-Martial Of Billy Mitchell - starring Gary Copper, Ralph Bellamy, Rod Steiger and Elizabeth Montgomery - premiered.
Norman Wisdom On Holiday broadcast. The Dick Lester Show - 'an unpredictable and inconsequential half-hour of ad-lib comedy with music and confusion provided by Dick Lester, Alun Owen and The Reg Owen Orchestra' broadcast on Associated-Rediffusion. Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia's Il Falco D'oro - starring Anna Maria Ferrero, Massimo Serato and Nadia Gray - premiered.
Eric Sykes's Pantomania: Or, It Was Never Like This broadcast. Highlights of the First Division fixtures were Newcastle uNited's five-nil victory over Preston North End, Manchester United's four-one win at West Bromwich Albion (Dennis Viollet scoring three) and Bottom-of-the-table Huddersfield Town thrashing Sunderland four-nil. In the Second Division, Middlesbrough beat Leeds United five-three. Sheffield Wednesday went top of the division with a four-nil victory over Stoke City. York scored five for the second game in a row, beating Halifax Town five-nil in the Third Division (North).
After being recorded for radio since 1932, the Royal Christmas Message was broadcast on TV for the first time, albeit in sound only. The first visual Christmas message from Her Maj was shown in 1957. Christmas Box broadcast. Daniel Mann's I'll Cry Tomorrow - starring Susan Heyward - premiered.
Moss Mindelbaum's Take It Away, a Boxing Day episode of Jack Payne's Off The Record, Ken Dodd as Jolly Jenkins in Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty - with William Russell - broadcast. Zoltan Korda and Terence Young's Storm Over The Nile - starring Anthony Steel, Laurence Harvey, James Robertson Justice and Mary Ure - premiered. Fifty five goals were scored in the first Division programme; Birmingham City beat Everton six-two, Manchester United thrashed Charlton Athletic five-one, Newcastle United won six-one at Sunderland (Bill Curry, Jackie Milburn and Vic Keeble scoring two each), Blackpool beat Huddersfield Town four-two and Luton Town won four-nil at Sheffield United. In the Third Division (North) Hartlepools United thumped Crewe Alexandra six-one (Ken Johnsonn hitting four).
Reginald Rose's Three Empty Rooms broadcast. The Goon Show episode The Hastings Flyer - Robbed broadcast. Newcastle United completed a memoreable Christmas period doing the double over local rivals Sunderland with a three-one victory at St James' Park. Charlton Athletic defeated First Division leaders Manchester United three-nil. Everton beat Birmingham City five-one. Preston North End had a four-two victory over Burnley. In the Second Division, Sheffield Wednesday thrashed Blackburn Rovers five-one and Bristol City gave Plymouth Argyle a six-nil hiding. Southampton beat Torquay United six-two in the Third Division (South).
Music For A Mellow Mood broadcast. A remake of the Hancock's Half Hour episode Cindarella Hancock broadcast on The Light Programme. Stephen Frederick Eustace Frost born in Redruth.
The first episodes of Steps Into Ballet, Hey Presto! and Richard Of Bordeaux - starring Peter Cushing - broadcast. Pierre Chevalier's Vous Pigez? - starring Eddie Constantine and Maria Frau - premiered.
Final Night - 'a star cast for the last Variety show of 1955' - and Personal Appearance Of Gracie Fields broadcast. Manchester United ended the year four points clear at the top of the First Division, beating neighbours City two-one.