Call Me Genius (1961)
"The Rebel" (original title)

Anthony Hancock gives up his office job to become an abstract artist. He has a lot of enthusiasm, but little talent, and critics scorn his work. Nevertheless, he impresses an emerging very ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Day

Writers:

Ray Galton, Tony Hancock,

Stars:

Tony Hancock, George Sanders, Paul Massie

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tony Hancock	...	Anthony Hancock
George Sanders	...	Sir Charles Brewer
Paul Massie	...	Paul Ashby
Margit Saad	...	Margot Carreras
Grégoire Aslan	...	Aristotle Carreras
Dennis Price	...	Jim Smith
Irene Handl	...	Mrs. Crevatte
John Le Mesurier	...	Office Manager
Liz Fraser	...	Waitress
Mervyn Johns	...	Manager of Art Gallery, London
Peter Bull	...	Manager of Art Gallery, Paris
Nanette Newman	...	Josey
Marie Burke	...	Madame Laurent
Bernard Rebel	...	Art Dealer
Sandor Elès	...	Artist

Storyline

Anthony Hancock gives up his office job to become an abstract artist. He has a lot of enthusiasm, but little talent, and critics scorn his work. Nevertheless, he impresses an emerging very talented artist.

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Plot Keywords:

art | satire | reference to laurel and hardy | independent film

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Taglines:

From London's "Bowler-Hatted" Conformity to Paris' Left Bank Madness! (US release: Call Me Genius)

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 December 1962 (Denmark)

Also Known As:

Call Me Genius

Filming Locations:

Champs Elysées, Paris 8, Paris, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tony travels to the Dover docks via the reknowned Golden Arrow train.

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Quotes

Hancock: It's a self portrait.
Mrs. Crevatte: Who of?
Hancock: Laurel and Hardy!

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Crazy Credits

The producers wish to acknowledge the fullest co-operation accorded - somewhat apprehensively - by BRITISH RAILWAYS.

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Connections

Featured in London - The Modern Babylon (2012)

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Soundtracks

"At Last! At Last!"
(uncredited)
Written by Charles Trenet

User Reviews

great fun

This one is a long-time favourite for its great one-liners, its wit, its bright colours and the sheer joy of its performances. George Sanders plays the creepy critic with the same finesse he'd done many times before, Hancock as the leader of the Infantile school of painting is so preposterous its hysterical, even a very young Oliver Reed appears briefly in the cafe scene. The writing of Galton and Simpson is as sharp as ever but gets to take more detours and turns than it ever could in the Half-Hours ... a brilliant film. I particularly love the pathetic painting of the foot which crops up at the art exhibition and that hideous sculpture. Excellent.