The Punch and Judy Man (1963)

Tony Hancock rebels again and reminesces about his childhood

Filmed on location at Bognor Regis and at Elstree Studios before its release in 1963, The Punch and Judy Man was Tony Hancock's second film at Associated British Pictures Corporation at a time when British film executives were looking at the success of TV personalities to counter one of the recurring economical and commercial crisis in the movie business.

Based on a partly autobiographical story penned by Hancock himself, the film is a bittersweet look at personal relationships (the marriage between Hancock's character Wally Pinner and his wife, played by Sylvia Syms) and small town aspirations and jealousy.

A much underrated film, directed by first time director Jeremy Summers (who went on to direct mainly in TV with credits that range from The Saint to Howard's Way) the film benefitted also from the assured cinematography of Gilbert Taylor.

Within the Studiocanal's archives we are blessed with a large number of behind the scenes photography to illustrate the production.