Tony Hancock: The Definitive Biography
by John Fisher
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Description
Regarded as the best radio and TV comic of his era, Tony Hancock was a man whose star burned brightly in the eyes and ears of millions before his untimely death in 1968. Now, forty years on, critically acclaimed biographer John Fisher brings the first fully authorised account of his life. Tony Hancock was one of post-war Britain's most popular comedians - his radio show 'Hancock's Half Hour' would clear the streets as whole families tuned in to listen. His peerless timing and subtle changes show more in intonation marked Hancock out as a comic genius. His character 'Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock' was an amplification of his own persona, a pompous prat whose dreams of success are constantly thwarted. The original British loser that we recognise in Victor Meldrew and Alan Partridge. Wonderfully supported by a cast including Sid James, Hattie Jacques and Kenneth Williams, and working with scripts from Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, Hancock became a huge star. The show was commisioned for TV, showcasing his talent for hilarious facial expression, and he became the first British comedian to earn a thousand pounds a week. Behind Tony Hancock's success however hid the self-destructive behaviour that plagued him all his life. Prone to self-doubt, and wanting to be the star of his own show, he got rid of James, and finally dismissed Galton and Simpson who had created the platform for his success. His private life was wracked by his ever increasing alcoholism and bouts of depression, and his relationships shattered by his capacity for violence. His ratings fell and, feeling washed up and alone after divorcing his second wife, he committed suicide in an Australian hotel room in 1968. Now, forty years after his death John Fisher explores the turbulent life of a man regarded by his peers as one of the greatest British comics to have ever lived. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
This book has it all: I laughed until my sides ached, and cried until my eyes were red raw.
The story of Hancock is well known but this book, whilst giving no blinding flashes of unknown Hancock, put his life into a better context than any other biography. John Fisher makes Hancock a real person.
Although Fisher does not play upon the point, this book may contain an explanation of Hancock's change of character, which everyone puts down to 'the booze'. Hancock had recently suffered a head injury in a motor car accident: this is now accepted to be a frequent cause of personality change....
The story of Hancock is well known but this book, whilst giving no blinding flashes of unknown Hancock, put his life into a better context than any other biography. John Fisher makes Hancock a real person.
Although Fisher does not play upon the point, this book may contain an explanation of Hancock's change of character, which everyone puts down to 'the booze'. Hancock had recently suffered a head injury in a motor car accident: this is now accepted to be a frequent cause of personality change....
Comprehensive biography of 'the lad 'imself'. I have three biographies of The
Laird of East Cheam (see 'Last of the McHancocks'), this one is probably the
best. Jolly good!
Laird of East Cheam (see 'Last of the McHancocks'), this one is probably the
best. Jolly good!
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Author Information
20+ Works 598 Members
Common Knowledge
- People/Characters
- Tony Hancock
Classifications
- Genres
- Biography & Memoir, Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 791.092 — Arts & recreation Recreation, sports, and performing arts Movies, TV, Video History, geographic treatment, biography Biography
- LCC
- PN2598 .H23 .F57 — Language and Literature Literature (General) Literature (General) Drama Dramatic representation. The theater Special regions or countries
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 64
- Popularity
- 485,415
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.96)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 4
- ASINs
- 1
