Who fancies a Piltdown Glory?

Guy and Rob return to Tony Hancock territory for a second time, and this time they’re joined by some proper experts. Tim Elms, Martin Gibbons, and Jon Street from the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society, as well as the presenters of the Very Nearly An Armful official Tony Hancock podcast, join us to discuss The Punch and Judy Man, the 1963 film that marked a significant departure for Hancock. For the first time, The Lad is not The Lad. Hancock plays the titular puppeteer, not named Tony Hancock, but Wally Pinner.

This departure in name, character, tone, and filmmaking came as a shock to fans and critics alike in 1963. The Punch and Judy Man was not a success at the time and has long been considered one of Britcom’s great flops. But is that reputation entirely fair? Or have the intervening years been kind to a misunderstood gem?

We’ll also explore Hancock’s move to ITV in the early '60s. That programme, simply titled Hancock, saw him leave behind not only the familiar Railway Cuttings setting but also his legendary writing duo, Galton and Simpson, who had moved on to Steptoe and Son. What followed was a hit-and-miss format featuring some intriguing guest stars and flashes of Hancock’s trademark wit.

So join all five of us (a BritCom Goes To The Movies record!) for another slice of Hancock.

Hancock - Man On The Corner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hpqLCOXu0I
Sylvia Sims - Ice Cold In Alex Carlsberg Advert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsqZDl99PNk
Punch and Judy Man - Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph2Dzyjytzg

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