1960: TONY HANCOCK Interview | Face to Face | Comedy Icons | BBC Archive

Tony Hancock - the man behind Britain's best-loved comic character - discusses the nature of comedy and tragedy with the forensic Face to Face interviewer John Freeman. What characteristics does he feel are ripe for ridicule in both himself and in others, and just how closely does he resemble the character of Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock?
Hancock then wrestles with Freeman's disarmingly simple question, "Are you happy?"
Originally broadcast 7 February, 1960.
To mark the BBC's 100th birthday, our wonderful archivists have been asked to pick THEIR favourite BBC moments.
"The extreme close up shots helped create the idea that the subject was under intense interrogation, as the questions became more probing, uncomfortable and personal. The ones with Gilbert Harding and Tony Hancock were two of the most memorable, in which the subject becomes visibly ill-at-ease in Hancock's case and Harding actually brought to the point of tears." - Deborah
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[@Greenwillow]

Thank you. I am a massive fan. Such a tragic ending of a master of comedy. As long as you keep footage like this his memory will live on.

[@TurfShifter]

A tragic loss. Such a huge talent.

[@standenberg]

Genius is an overused word, but Tony Hancock was definitely a comedy genius. Unfortunately he probably never realised his depth of talent & how much he was loved by the British public. HHH was & still is an amazing & hilariously funny sitcom (especially the radio version which is always on BBC Sounds). Credit must also go to writers Galton & Simpson, & also Sid James too. Without them Hancock was never the same...but his humour is timeless and along with Peter Sellers, Charlie Chaplin & Rik Mayall he’s one of the best comedy actors England has ever produced.

[@malcolmdale]

I used to listen to his Hancock's Half Hour every week. Hancock Towers, 27 Railway Cuttings, East Cheam. Priceless

[@scottandrewbrass1931]

23.

[@pmd12points]

I don't think I've ever detected his Brummie accent until watching this video. Such a great talent.

[@MrDaiseymay]

and at what point was that ? I'm Brummie born

[@pmd12points]

@@MrDaiseymayWhen he answers the question about the basic ingredients for comedy. When he says "...when we attempt to be affected or pompous..." I can hear the accent slightly. kzbin.infoUgkxGyRzoA8cSrFybYG-LF7zZL9EhnU6GP_W

[@DenkyManner]

Interesting, I can hear it now you mention that. I guess the comic persona was a character voice.

[@jshaers96]

It's amazing to think he was only 35 there, he could be easily taken for 50.

[@bolshevikproductions]

You may look 👀 65. We can’t see you

[@bolshevikproductions]

Age is a boon

[@SteveFromManchester-di4lf]

I've just watched the entire ATV series from 1963 and it's evident this interview was the beginning of the end for Tony.

[@pit_stop77]

I enjoyed Hancock as a child by his comedy I found sad and tragic sometimes. But I think that was his point

[@maryoleary5044]

That's how I see it..Tony's Hancock 'Character' was a chap having to live in circumstances below his spiritual awareness and his intellect.

[@MrDaiseymay]

Wow---1960, I remember this series and this particular episode , but didn't think it was so long ago. Many thanks for uploading it. I will become a subscriber.

[@timelordvictorious]

Apparently his brother said this interview really started him on a bad track of questioning everything he did and comedy was not really good enough for him sadly.

[@hilaryepstein6013]

He seemed to be quite happy to talk about his work but really didn't give very much away about himself and his true feelings.

[@GeorgeHarrisonDarkHorse]

There’s an interesting interview with Rik Mayall on Wogan where he too was coy & reticent on personal matters. They want you to see what they want you to see.

[@MrMann0123]

I think it is amazing how different his voice is to that of the character of Hancock until he puts a front up in tiny moments.

[@jezt42]

Wouldn’t mind seeing these and others (especially Gilbert Harding) - possible DVD or Blu-Ray release, please?

[@BBCArchive]

There are a few editions available on iPlayer: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/group/p04xgnwc

[@jezt42]

@@BBCArchive Thank you! 👍

[@bolshevikproductions]

Tony The Lad. 100 1924/2024❤

[@jdm65]

Freeman builds up to a crescendo of punches that a prime boxer would be proud of - Hancock's final answer is poignant given his subsequent demise.

[@MrDaiseymay]

yes, but he becomes a verbal bully when he dosent allow the interviewee, time to finnish answering the qestion. Freeman was also a skilled political Reporter / interviewer.

[@151mattwilson]

The brilliant 2005 BBC documentary on Hancock notes how excited he was to be asked to do this interview. And that Galton and Simpson found his interview here as rather amusing, seeing the high minded attitude of Hancock in his answers

[@sarahholland2600]

That's interesting! Did they think he was trying to be intellectual? Or just that he was arrogant? This clip is too short to know how he came across . I'll go see if I can find it in full. My Mon had The Blood Donor sketch on a record, pristine sleeve & condition.

[@CiceroLounge]

A very guarded man, he was one of the greatest comedy actors ever. But his extrovert acting hid his insecurity. He was we are told depressive, but he wasn't always. He drank and was a chronic alcoholic that never realised how serious it was like a lot of us

[@bolshevikproductions]

BBC CAN YOU PLEASE ADD HANCOCK HALF HOUR TV PROGRAMME ON BBC I PLAYER. AS ALL HANCOCK HALF HOUR RADIO PROGRAMMES ARE ON BBC SOUNDS. THANKS.

[@jeepy8067]

So sad. It's not like Rowan Atkinson playing Mr Bean, a comic playing himself is much closer to home. The ineffectual idiot he portrayed was really himself "you've always liked on me as a portly figure of fun" he once said in one sketch. No wonder he was depressed. These days we'd understand and be able to help.

[@chaosomega623]

Happy 100th Year Anniversary to the British Brodcasting Corporation!!!

[@alanknotts1844]

He was always looking for a perfection that never existed....

[@richardsharpe2966]

Did anyone turn down Face To Face

[@andydixon2980]

I believe Marlene Dietrich did.

[@sydneycully3613]

Not necessarily turned down but Albert Finney had his episode withheld from the DVD release

[@henryfrost8542]

In them days people had class. What has become of this world?

[@TonyChuter]

Sid said he was in a car in London and there was Tony in the middle of the road looking down and out he stopped the car to look for him Tony was gone sid never seen him again he said it was a big regret he might of helped him..

[@simontaylor2319]

Bur unfortunately a sad ending in Australia

[@SunofYork]

Tonu hated the interviewer and that much is clear