Tony Hancock’s feature film outings The Rebel and The Punch And Judy Man are getting fresh DVD and Blu-ray releases. More here.
It’s one of the most well known lines in comedy. Tony Hancock goes to give blood and, on being told he’ll be giving a pint, says the immortal words, “I don’t mind giving a reasonable amount, but a pint? That’s very nearly an armful!”.
The writers or those words and many more were Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, who went on to create the hugely successful sitcom Steptoe And Son too.
Hancock made only two forays into film, and they are both being rereleased on DVD and Blu-ray in March.
The first film was The Rebel. Directed by Robert Day, scripted by Galton and Simpson and released in 1961, the synopsis reads as follows:
A self-taught artist with an enthusiasm that far exceeds any ability, Anthony Hancock throws in his hollow office job and moves to Paris to live his dream. Although he quickly finds acceptance among the bohemians and beatniks, legitimate critics scoff at his work. However, he begins to taste critical success when the art of his talented former roommate becomes confused with his own.
Extra features on the disc include:
• An Irrepressible Streak: Paul Merton on The Rebel
• A Definitive Comedian: Diane Morgan on Tony Hancock
• Commentary with comedian Paul Merton and screenwriters Ray Galton and Alan Simpson
• Behind the scenes stills gallery
• Theatrical trailer
The second film was The Punch And Judy Man, directed by Jeremy Summers and co-written by Hancock and Phillip Oakes. The synopsis reads as follows:
Content to scratch out a living in the faded seaside town of Piltdown, puppeteer Wally Pinner (Hancock) is unhappily married to Delia (Sylvia Syms), a gift-shop owner with social pretensions. When Wally is invited to perform at the town’s anniversary gala reception, however, Delia scents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to raise the couple’s social standing…
Extra features include:
• Hard Knocks: Paul Merton on The Punch And Judy Man
• Excerpt from ABC series Hancock’s
• BEHP audio interview extract with Jeremy Summers
• The Blackpool Show: Series 1, Episode 7 (1966)
• Behind the scenes stills gallery
• Theatrical trailer
The Rebel and The Punch and Judy Man will be released on the 3rd March courtesy of StudioCanal.
