John LeMesurier later recalled this as both the happiest and the saddest film he ever made. Happy because filming in Bognor was such a pleasure; sad because of the untimely deaths soon afterwards of several of the cast, LeMesurier citing Mario Fabrizi, Walter Hudd and, of course, Tony Hancock himself. (Although Sylvia Syms happily is still with us; her stock as an actress having risen considerably in recent years.)
While it's glossier, brasher predecessor 'The Rebel' had been the boxoffice hit - and more than half a century after Hancock's death remains the better-known of his two big screen vehicles - Hancock himself had dismissed it as "a fake thing". Despite 'The Punch and Judy Man's dismal boxoffice performance and mauling by the critics (which makes it still more melancholy to contemplate), Hancock felt a special affection for it and it's stature is assured for those that care.
Beautifully photographed by veteran cameraman Gilbert Taylor for Hancock's own company MacConkey productions. It's obvious everybody involved cared about the film; perhaps a bit too much, since the straining after effects is a bit too obvious. But you haven't lived till you've dropped into The Igloo for a Piltdown Delight.
While it's glossier, brasher predecessor 'The Rebel' had been the boxoffice hit - and more than half a century after Hancock's death remains the better-known of his two big screen vehicles - Hancock himself had dismissed it as "a fake thing". Despite 'The Punch and Judy Man's dismal boxoffice performance and mauling by the critics (which makes it still more melancholy to contemplate), Hancock felt a special affection for it and it's stature is assured for those that care.
Beautifully photographed by veteran cameraman Gilbert Taylor for Hancock's own company MacConkey productions. It's obvious everybody involved cared about the film; perhaps a bit too much, since the straining after effects is a bit too obvious. But you haven't lived till you've dropped into The Igloo for a Piltdown Delight.