Tony Hancock

How many people have their own special memories of listening to Tony Hancock, the hapless funny man, who made us laugh with his 'Hancock's Half-hour' and other programmes on the radio and of course films.

It is for a particular film that we should in fact remember him here in Bognor Regis, because it was in 1962 that he joined us here in the town when helping to make the town famous. The film of course was 'The Punch and Judy Man'

Tony Hancock was a man who was hugely famous in the 1950s and 60s; he was and still is quite a cult figure. Whilst carrying out research for this article, I have been amazed at the number of web sites that are dedicated to or have links to Tony Hancock. There are also a number of Tony Hancock Clubs in existence. His radio appearances in such shows as Variety Bandbox and Educating Archie were the start of his broadcasting career. However before this he visited Bognor Regis in 1947, when he appeared at the Esplanade Theatre, as a member of the Flotsam's Follies. This was during the period when he was the resident comedian at the famous 'Windmill' theatre club in London. In 1961 Tony Hancock made the programme for which he is always remembered, that of 'The Blood Donor.'

 However what of the film, that was to make Bognor Regis well known, even if not for the right reason? Following the success of his television programmes, Tony Hancock wanted to extend his work further. He was never really satisfied with his art and was always seeking new avenues in which to work and with Philip Oakes he wrote the script for a film. It was a fictitious story about a small southern coastal town named Piltdown. The main character was Wally Pinner - the Punch & Judy Man. His friend the Sandman, who was a sand sculptor, and the local photographer, were deemed not to be socially acceptable in this quite snobbish seaside resort. As usual Tony Hancock appeared almost as himself in a very melancholy portrait whilst trying to establish himself as an important citizen.

This film was a joint venture between Tony Hancock's own company in collaboration with Associated British. The producer, Gordon Scott, asked for local volunteers to appear in the film.Nearly 2,000 people arrived at the Royal Norfolk Hotel, where they had to leave their names and addresses, for them to be contacted at a later time. I am aware that a number of residents were selected to play their own part in this film.

Many areas of the town became immortalised in the film, the Pier and Town Hall, alongside other areas such as Spencer Street, Belmont St., and York Road, beside the Esplanade and Royal Hotel, where in fact the film crew stayed. Tony Hancock himself resided at the Royal Norfolk Hotel during filming.

This film was a joint venture between Tony Hancock's own company in collaboration with Associated British. The producer, Gordon Scott, asked for local volunteers to appear in the film.Nearly 2,000 people arrived at the Royal Norfolk Hotel, where they had to leave their names and addresses, for them to be contacted at a later time. I am aware that a number of residents were selected to play their own part in this film.
Many areas of the town became immortalised in the film, the Pier and Town Hall, alongside other areas such as Spencer Street, Belmont St., and York Road, beside the Esplanade and Royal Hotel, where in fact the film crew stayed. Tony Hancock himself resided at the Royal Norfolk Hotel during filming.
Whilst making the film in 1962 Tony Hancock was engaged in various town activities and events including the crowning of the Bognor Carnival Queen at the Rex Ballroom. Sidney James, also in the film, was captured by the local press playing with local children at the boating lake, off Crescent Road.

The advance reviews for the film described how the new comedy film was to take Tony Hancock away from his familiar backdrop of the London suburbs and his perceived position in life as a bachelor. For the first time in his career he was to appear as a married man. He played the proprietor of a run down Punch and Judy show on the "Sands of Piltdown Bay" at the end of the season.

Many of the early advertising brochures for this film told members of the viewing public the history of Punch and Judy and invited the Cinema managers to purchase, at a cost of 30/- per week, (£1.50) a three fold advertising display.

Cinema Managers were also advised that they should invite the local Punch and Judy man to attend the cinema, during the previous week's films, as an advertising feature for the 'forthcoming attraction.'

Other advertising for the film, remarked that "Hancock of The Punch and Judy Man is a disenchanted rebel who wages an irreverent and uproariously funny battle against authority." Tony Hancock was to operate a dilapidated Punch and Judy Show on the sands, whilst "cocking a snook at the town's socialite set, including the mayor and council." Sylvia Sims played the part of Hancock's wife, who was trying to aspire to become part of the town's social elite. The film also included such stars as Ronald Fraser,

Barbara Murray, Hugh Lloyd and John Le Mesurier.

Members of the new Bognor Regis Film Club showed the film as part of the celebrations when establishing their new club in January 1981. There were also limited showings of this film at the 'Sands of Time' event in 2001. The film is now available on video for anyone wishing to recapture the style of the 1960's. This film shows many interesting scenes of Bognor Regis at that time - ideal for Local Historians!
Tony Hancock who was born on 12th May 1924, sadly died on 25th June 1968. During this time he entertained thousands and left a legacy that he could only have dreamed of. He is now remembered as 'the greatest genius of British comedy' an accolade that he sought all his life.

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