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Tony Hancock

A life of comedy and tragedy. Simon Heffer looks back at the film roles of The Lad himself, Tony Hancock. From 2015.

Tragedy and comedy have often shared the billing in Simon Heffer's series on British comic actors in mid-20th century film, but never more so than in the case of Tony Hancock.

Hancock is warmly remembered for playing a self-deluded failure, a man whose life has been an odyssey of constant frustration. His role in film was less successful and Simon Heffer pinpoints why.

Simon also considers the strengths and weaknesses of Hancock's two (largely forgotten) films - The Rebel and The Punch and Judy Man - and the demise of a brilliant performer whose influences are still apparent today.

Producer : Beaty Rubens

First broadcast on Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ Radio 3 in April 2015.

Available now

15 minutes

On radio

Thu 20 Aug 2026 09:30

Broadcasts

  • Thu 16 Apr 2015 22:45
  • Tue 6 Sep 2016 22:45
  • Thu 20 Aug 2026 09:30

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