The Punch and Judy Man (1963)

Dark comedy about a seaside Punch & Judy man driven to distraction by his social climbing wife and his hatred for the snobbery of local government. He is persuaded to go to the Mayor's gala... See full summary »

Director:

Jeremy Summers

Writers:

Phillip Oakes (screenplay), Tony Hancock (screenplay),

Stars:

Tony Hancock, Sylvia Syms, Ronald Fraser

Cast

Credited cast:
Tony Hancock	...	Wally Pinner
Sylvia Syms	...	Delia Pinner
Ronald Fraser	...	Mayor Palmer
Barbara Murray	...	Lady Jane Caterham
John Le Mesurier	...	The Sandman
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Brian Bedford	...	1st Escort
Fred Berman	...	Master of Ceremonies
Norman Bird	...	Committee Man
Kevin Brennan	...	Landlord
Terence Brook	...	Bar Tender
Eddie Byrne	...	Ice Cream Assistant
Norman Chappell	...	Footman
John Dunbar	...	Committee Man
Mario Fabrizi	...	Nevil Shanks
Carole Ann Ford	...	Girl in seaside kiosk

Storyline

Dark comedy about a seaside Punch & Judy man driven to distraction by his social climbing wife and his hatred for the snobbery of local government. He is persuaded to go to the Mayor's gala evening but it's all too much for him.

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Plot Keywords:

independent film

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Taglines:

Hancock rebels again!

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Filming Locations:

Associated British Elstree Studios, Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sylvia Syms replaced Billie Whitelaw.

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Connections

Referenced in Screen One: Hancock (1991)

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Soundtracks

"Hearts of Oak"
Traditional
Arranged by Derek Scott

User Reviews

Always Forward Never Backward

Hancock's determination not to reprise the role that he had so successfully established on television, meant this film would always be doomed to failure at the box office. Undoubtedly the film is at its best where it is at its most subtle - John Le Mesurier's 'Strong' is a perfect example as is the opening scene in the Pinner house. I often wonder how much influence the director had on the less-effective scenes compared to Hancock or visa-versa. Perhaps I'm fortunate in that I saw this film long before I saw Hancock's Half Hour or knew of Hancock's unfortunate end and can therefore give Hancock the benefit of the doubt

• something nobody else seems to want to do. No other film I have ever

seen captures more perfectly both the highs and lows of the English seaside along with the petty aristocracy that was a more rampant feature in the UK in the 60s than Hippies or free love ever were. Rarely comfortable or even obviously funny, at times this is simply a work of art.