cally

I was always under the impression that only 6 of Hancock's ATV show are in circulation - any advance on 6?

Lord Brett

Now I know, all I can see is his eyelines being out of whack when speaking to others and his lack of facial expression. The latter, I must say, I noticed when I first saw the show with sound and vision. Like many, I was introduced to the classic Hancock shows through LPs, where I think The Blood Donor works best, so Hancock's subdued physical performance here always puzzled me.

alan french

Hi all.
Just read all of your comments. I find that we are all in some ways preaching to the converted.
I agree Tony Hancock must have had that something to have made us adjust our social lives around his radio and definately his television programme. And of course his scriptwriters supplied the material. They must take a vast proportion of the credit. He did go wrong up to a point,when he started to make changes. I gather his last work for the BBC was his Royal Festival Hall one man show. I gather he at one point, he wanted Kenneth Williams to come along and join in reading from an old script and 'phoned him up earlier that day. This would have entailed no rehearsal. Kenneth Williams felt this was unprofessional and declined. But I think that his move left a gap. Which was filled by other writings from his origainal scriptwriters. I do not think after his new look BBC series and the film The Rebel, he did not seem to gel as much as he had with the public. A pity. Evidence that he may have regretted this split is that he approached them to write a show for the West End stage to be called Noah. Discussions took place but in the end nothing materialised. Yes, he did make a few films and compere a variety show series for commercial television. He also appeared in a series of adverts for eggs.

The show which he did appear as a guest on, I believe may have been called Secombe and friends. Harry Secombe was host and Hancock guested in one edition and performed his budgerigar act. In one documentary, I believe the reference to his ATV series may, or may not, state or give the impression, that very little is in existance. I think a poor technical quality extract was shown. But his Australian show was released on video some years ago and in colour.

Like some of you, yes, there have been some good moments and not so good in his post Simpson and Galton era. But I think that their era is definately Hancock at his best. It is certainly the way the public seem to best remember him. I am more than sorry things ended as they did. As some have said, the world mourns the death of a clown.

Alan French.

batman

Good post Alan, thanks.

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

Lord Brett

Agreed. The bit that pulled me up short during this discussion was that the poor man was only 44 when he died. What a really tragic waste.

Harbottle

You could well be thinking of The Blackpool Show, which he was the host of or possibly an earlier series from 1956 Tony Hancock Show which consisted of sketches.

alan french

Hi
Thanks Batman. Actually my secret identity is Billy Batson alias Captain Marvel. I think I said Shazam! When I wrote it.

Alan French.

batman

.... excellent! While your here, I'm having trouble with my tights ......

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

batman

It was definitely a 60s show .... must be The Blackpool Show. Poor ol' Tony didn't look well.

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

NappieB

You can see a lot (all?) of Tony Hancock's egg commercials on YouTube. There's also a lot of other Hancock video on that site.

He has a phenomenal number of fans, amongst which I include myself.

His radio shows were masterpieces... he never made the transition to other media successfully.

"The future is yet to come" - George W. Bush

batman

You don't think the Galton and Simpson shows were successful?

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"