Hancock's Half Hour

I thought that I can only get on tilt when playing poker. This movie has the same effect...oddly. This is definitely a pleasant surprise. I will surely look forward to more of Hancock's Half Hour from now. It just shows you that on any given day, you can discover something refreshing and new. Lucky moi.

This utterly classic show is probably underappreciated here purely because of its age, and therefore the deteriorated quality of the sound and picture, but those aside, this is the forerunner for all that is amazing about British comedy, with Hancock's character predating and influencing everyone from Blackadder and Basil Fawlty to Alan Partridge and Jim Hacker (Yes Minister).

Hancock's own personal genius can never ever be overstated. The master of comic timing, whether through facial experssion or the masterful delivery of Galton and Simpson's flawless scripts.

Such lines as:

"What about Magna Carta? Did she die in vain?" - Twelve Angry Men.

"A pint? Why that's very nearly an armful! I'm sorry, I came in here in all good faith to help my country, but I'm not walking round with an empty arm for anybody." - The Blood Donor.

show the sheer quality of the scriptwriting and are permanently quoted in polls of all time memorable comedy quotes, over and above the majority of the newer programmes.

Those who have any doubt about the unsurpassed quality of this show only have to look at how long Hancock's shows ran for. Not counting around 7 radio series and the several "Hancock" series, the 'Half Hour' alone ran for 6 television series. Hancock graced the airwaves for over a decade, was nominated for a BAFTA, was famous for clearing the streets of Britain while his show was on as everyone stayed in to listen to it, (radio prog) and it was the highest rated TV prog of its time.

If it had just been invented recently, I have no doubt whatsoever that it would do the same.
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Why isn't this show more popular on here. This is one of the all time great shows. The radio series was funny but the tv series was absolutely classic. Unfortunately I haven't been able to watch every episode due to the unavailability of the show but of the episodes I have seen it has been top shelf qualtiy.

Tony Hancock is one of the greatest actors in the history of television, and I'm sure that anyone who has seen this show would agree. Sid James provides a solid support but it is Tony Hancock who carries the show.

Writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson have written some classic shows such as Steptoe and Son and this show is no exception. They are very talented writers, but I think it is Tony Hancock who brings the material to life.

The Blood Donor, The Lift, 12 Angry Men and The Bedsitter are among the best episodes.moreless