HANCOCK

UK, 1991, 116 minutes, Colour.
Alfred Molina, Frances Barber, Mel Martin, Malcolm Sinclair, Jim Carter.
Directed by Anthony Smith.

Hancock is a BBC telemovie, a portrait of the English comedian during the last ten years of his life. Hancock was a very popular comedian on radio and television, especially with Hancock's Half Hour. The film focuses initially on one of his sketches, The Blood Donor, famous for exemplifying his style. Hancock did not make a successful transition to movies, in fact being sacked from the Disney Studios Bullwhip Griffin. An alcoholic, erratic in his treatment including his writers, his wife, friends, he was often in depression. In 1968 he came to Australia and there committed suicide, leaving a note saying that too much had gone wrong in his life too often.

Hancock is well portrayed by Alfred Molina (Letter to Brezhnev, Prick Up Your Ears, American Friends, Not Without My Daughter). He impersonates Hancock's comic routines and gives humanity to his portrait of the comedian. There is a strong British supporting cast led by Frances Barber as his wife Freddy. Freddy Hancock was consultant to the production.

1.Impact of the telemovie? For a British audience, Commonwealth audience? Wider audience? Audience knowledge of Hancock as a comedian, appreciation of his comic style? A memoir?

2.Hancock the British comedian, British style, humour, verbal, timing? The British industry, radio and television, cinema? Hancock at home, his relationships? His visits to the United States, to Australia? Authentic atmosphere of the '50s to the '60s? Musical score?

.3.The title, the focus on Hancock himself, his reputation? The sad comic?

4.The time-span of ten years from '58 to '68? Hancock and his age, changes, drinking, marriage and relationships, fame and collapse of his career, depression? His attitude of mockery towards others? The final despair - too many things going wrong too often?

5.The opening with the sketch of The Blood Donor: the type of humour, Molina's impersonation of Hancock as comedian? Galton and Simpson, the writers? Acting, the appreciative audience? The Blood Donor being quoted throughout the film? The skill in the half-hour comedy? The Punch and Judy Man and the filming? The visits to the United States, the Disney Studios, the filming of Bullwhip Griffin and the various takes? Hancock and his impersonations, the final show repeating his impersonations?

6.Alfred Molina's interpretation of Hancock: in himself, as a comedian, as a mimic? His work, interaction with the writers, clash? His friendship with John le Mesurier? With Freddy as his agent, the sexual liaison? His relationship with his wife, scenes at home, the drinking, her private drinking? Going to the United States with her? His hopes, taking the tapes, the failure? The encounter with the young boy, on the movie set, looking at the sand statues on the beach? His reflecting on their transience? The boy and friendship in Hollywood, Bullwhip Griffin? Going to America, the treatment by the Disney Studios, producer and director, his tantrums, the many takes, his being ousted? His fans and their flattery? Flattery and the reality? His worry and depression, health, going to the doctor, joke about the vodka? The final concert, his repeating his routines? Finished?

7.John le Mesurier, his friendship (and Freddy being married to le Mesurier - though this not indicated in the film?)? John listening to him, advice? Sounding-board?

8.Hancock's wife, the sketch of her personality, her relationship with him, her drinking, the trip to America, leaving him?

9.Freddy and her personal intensity (and the suicide attempts related in her biography but not in the film?)? Work as an agent, the relationship with him, covering for him, the edge in their relationship? The proposal, the marriage? Going to Hollywood, her concern about him, giving up the drink, the visit to the doctor? Her giving up hope? Her watching his final concert and the pathos?

10.Hancock's popularity, audiences, the bus driver in the street, people for autographs? The fans at the final concert? The taxi driver finally criticising his performance?

11.Going to Australia, his hopes, the interviews? His tone of mockery, Olivier and Othello, his speculation about King Lear? His talking on and on - the Australian questions, obtuse, sensible? The gradual fading on the screen indicating his collapse and death?

12.Glimpses of Hancock, memories of his comedy, a memoir of a person, a portrait and understanding?