Those who might be tempted to dismiss HANDOCK'S HALF-HOUR as archaic, or old-fashioned in terms of attitude, timing and values might need to rethink their beliefs after having watched this landmark piece.
Yes, the performances are given in terms of impersonations: Kevin McNally has worked hard to recreate Hancock's unbelievable repertoire of facial gestures as well as his brilliant eye-work that could take in audience reactions, not to mention his fellow-actors' expressions. Jon Culshaw has a fine old time with Sid James's unique voice, although perhaps he is just a little rotund for the part. Robin Sebastian is quite simply a star as Kenneth Williams; he has a gift for making even the most innocent-sounding statement sound like an innuendo, something that I never thought could ever be recreated, either on television or on radio.
But what really transforms "The New Neighbor" is the quality of the Galton and Simpson script. No attempt has been made to update it; it includes cultural references straight from 1956, when it was originally penned - for example to current politicians such as Selwyn Lloyd. Yet what makes the script so good is its timeless quality; it was not simply composed of jokey one-liners, but actively sought to develop character. Hancock was this pompous little man living in East Cheam with delusions of grandeur, a talent for flowing language and a healthy dislike for those closest to him. Yet he could not escape; try as he might, he needed Sidney James as his boon companion and erstwhile con-artist.
In this episode Galton and Simpson recaptured a world of tight-knit suburbia where neighbors look on through the net curtains at what their new residents are doing. That practice still continues, however people like to believe life has changed. Sometimes assumptions can prove totally false, as they did in this episode. The surreal ending was somehow an apt punishment for the little busybody with fat legs (i.e. Hancock) who dared to cause problems where none existed.
Yes, the performances are given in terms of impersonations: Kevin McNally has worked hard to recreate Hancock's unbelievable repertoire of facial gestures as well as his brilliant eye-work that could take in audience reactions, not to mention his fellow-actors' expressions. Jon Culshaw has a fine old time with Sid James's unique voice, although perhaps he is just a little rotund for the part. Robin Sebastian is quite simply a star as Kenneth Williams; he has a gift for making even the most innocent-sounding statement sound like an innuendo, something that I never thought could ever be recreated, either on television or on radio.
But what really transforms "The New Neighbor" is the quality of the Galton and Simpson script. No attempt has been made to update it; it includes cultural references straight from 1956, when it was originally penned - for example to current politicians such as Selwyn Lloyd. Yet what makes the script so good is its timeless quality; it was not simply composed of jokey one-liners, but actively sought to develop character. Hancock was this pompous little man living in East Cheam with delusions of grandeur, a talent for flowing language and a healthy dislike for those closest to him. Yet he could not escape; try as he might, he needed Sidney James as his boon companion and erstwhile con-artist.
In this episode Galton and Simpson recaptured a world of tight-knit suburbia where neighbors look on through the net curtains at what their new residents are doing. That practice still continues, however people like to believe life has changed. Sometimes assumptions can prove totally false, as they did in this episode. The surreal ending was somehow an apt punishment for the little busybody with fat legs (i.e. Hancock) who dared to cause problems where none existed.
