There was an interesting article in 'The Daily Mirror' by Nicola Methven two days ago. Entitled 'Autumn's Here And T.V. Turns Into Gold'. Nicola begins it by pointing out what a wash-out summer T.V. was, consisting of 'endless repeats and terrible flops'. She then goes on to highlight some of the masterpieces we can expect in the coming months - 'The X Factor', Simon Cowell's 'Blue Or Black?', Jonathan Ross' new chat show, the return of 'George Gently', a drama about serial killer Fred West, 'Strictly Come Dancing', a Ricky Gervais 'mockumentary' which according to Nicola is 'hilarious' even though she hasn't seen it yet, and 'The Comic Strip Presents' returns with 'The Hunt For Tony Blair'. Forgive me if I don't jump up and down with excitement. Reviving tired old franchises is hardly something to get worked up about. I liked 'Comic Strip Presents' back in the '80's, but they're pushing their luck coming back now. Isn't Tony Blair old news? Why aren't they going after Cameron instead? Think I'll stick with my D.V.D.'s if you don't mind, Nicola.
On topic now. 'The Missing Page' is a terrific 'Hancock' episode. After making a nuisance of himself in a public library, Tony borrows a 'Johnny Oxford' pulp murder mystery entitled 'Lady Don't Fall Backwards' by Darcy Sarto. He gets totally absorbed in it, but to his chagrin finds that the last page has been torn out! He then keeps Sid awake all night speculating who the killer is. The next day, they return to the library to complain. Hancock then decides to seek out the man who had the book last...
Hard to believe now, but there was a time when you had to keep quiet in public libraries. Now you can play an electric guitar in one and the librarian won't utter a word of complaint. 'Lolita' by Vladimir Nabokov, a controversial book at the time, is mentioned. Hugh Lloyd is the librarian, with Johnny Vyvvan and PeggyAnn Clifford in smaller roles. Remade by Paul Merton in the mid-'90's, with his then-wife Caroline Quentin in the 'Sid' role. 'Lady Don't Fall Backwards' would later become the title of Joan Le Mesurier's ( wife of John ) autobiography.
Funniest moment - Hancock attempting to mime the plot of a mystery thriller. His facial expressions and gestures are wondrous to behold.
Second funniest moment - Sid telling Tony that perhaps the murderer was the one who stole the book's final page.
On topic now. 'The Missing Page' is a terrific 'Hancock' episode. After making a nuisance of himself in a public library, Tony borrows a 'Johnny Oxford' pulp murder mystery entitled 'Lady Don't Fall Backwards' by Darcy Sarto. He gets totally absorbed in it, but to his chagrin finds that the last page has been torn out! He then keeps Sid awake all night speculating who the killer is. The next day, they return to the library to complain. Hancock then decides to seek out the man who had the book last...
Hard to believe now, but there was a time when you had to keep quiet in public libraries. Now you can play an electric guitar in one and the librarian won't utter a word of complaint. 'Lolita' by Vladimir Nabokov, a controversial book at the time, is mentioned. Hugh Lloyd is the librarian, with Johnny Vyvvan and PeggyAnn Clifford in smaller roles. Remade by Paul Merton in the mid-'90's, with his then-wife Caroline Quentin in the 'Sid' role. 'Lady Don't Fall Backwards' would later become the title of Joan Le Mesurier's ( wife of John ) autobiography.
Funniest moment - Hancock attempting to mime the plot of a mystery thriller. His facial expressions and gestures are wondrous to behold.
Second funniest moment - Sid telling Tony that perhaps the murderer was the one who stole the book's final page.