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Directed By Robert Day
Written By Ray Galton, Alan Simpson and Tony Hancock
Release Year 1961
Classification: Comedy
Main Cast
Tony Hancock as Anthony Hancock
George Sanders as Sir Charles Broward
Paul Massie as Paul
Margit Saad as Margot
Grégoire Aslan as Carreras
Dennis Price as Jim Smith
Irene Handl as Mrs. Crevatte
John Le Mesurier as Office manager
Liz Fraser as Waitress
Mervyn Johns as Manager of Art Gallery: London
Peter Bull as Manager of Art Gallery: Paris
Nanette Newman as Josey
Marie Burke as Madame Laurent
Bernard Rebel as Art Dealer
Sandor Elès as Artist
Tony Hancock was unarguably one of Britain's finest ever comedians. Chubby faced with that signature hangdog expression
of perplexed bemusement, he created a unique screen persona.
A master of comic timing, his best work was done on BBC television. Unfortunately, his sporadic film career was largely
unsatisfactory, as he rarely found the right material. In The Rebel, however, he reveals more than enough of his immense talent
to make viewing of the film a complete joy.
The plot is simple enough. Hancock is a downtrodden office worker straightjacketed by his stifling environment. One day
he breaks free and sails off to Paris to release his suppressed artistic ability. Upon arrival, he moves in with a fellow
English hopeful and develops his penchant for impressionist painting, the Infantile School..."bung paint in and stir
it around with a big stick!"
His output is pretty dismal but he carries on regardless, manfully believing in his own genius, with his ego welcomingly
boosted by an ever-growing band of followers. In time an artistic agent (George Sanders) hears of his name and decides to
visit, where Anthony is at work on action painting with his bike and a cow!
It shouldn't come as a surprise to learn that Tony Hancock dominates this film. He milks Galton and Simpson's hilarious
script for all its worth. The supporting cast also deserves a mention, especially Dennis Price and George Sanders who are
terrific and fans of early Fairy Liquid adverts will enjoy Nanette Newman's intuitive portrayal of a black-clothed existentialist.
The immense Irene Handl as Hancocks long-suffering landlady Mrs Crevatte (a self portrait? Who of?) is especially brilliant.
Look out too for Oliver Reed as a gay Parisian artist. Theres even a bit part for one Bernard Rebel as an art dealer! And
let's not forget the exquisitely hellish "sock" painting which Sanders memorably enquires when confronted with it..
"who painted that - the cow?!"
I adore, delight in, and revere this picture - its a belter!!
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