I have featured Tony Hancock before on a Tuesday (though I don’t seem to have done The Rebel yet which amazes me; and this reminds me too that I haven’t yet done the apocalyptic comedy The Bedsitting Room). This is an episode of the half hour shows, but an unusual one as it’s the first after he decided to end the partnership with Sid James and to move from the original setting at 23 Railway Cuttings, East Cheam to a bedsit in Earl’s Court. To signal the change, this first episode of the last season (1961) features Hancock completely on his own. This solo exploration of boredom offers a wonderful showcase of Hancock’s timing and precision without the exuberant foil of Sid’s unflappable humour. And it’s marvelous — just marvelous.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

I’m off teaching the doctoral students in digital humanities today, so amuse yourself by checking out all the other overlooked gems at Todd’s blog. With luck, I’ll get to the P-Con recap tomorrow, although I am teaching as usual on Wednesday (it never ends, eh?).