3 OF 21

Sid James; Tony Hancock

3 of 21 portraits of Tony Hancock

by Bob Collins
bromide print, 1959
9 1/2 in. x 7 5/8 in. (240 mm x 194 mm)
Given by Bob Collins, 1994
Photographs Collection
NPG x45334

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Sittersback to top

Anthony John ('Tony') Hancock (1924-1968), Comedian. Sitter in 21 portraits.
Sid James (1913-1976), Actor. Sitter in 14 portraits.

Artistback to top

Bob Collins (1924-2002), Photographer. Artist of 193 portraits, Sitter in 5 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Hancock's Half Hour began on radio in 1954, transferred to television two years later and ran until 1961. It featured the lugubrious Anthony Hancock, whose elaborate schemes to improve his lot in life were doomed to failure and to cynical commentary by his room-mate Sid. Sid James's long and successful career, notably in the Carry On films, contrasted with Hancock's gradual eclipse. Hancock took his own life while working on a series for Australian television. This photograph was taken on the set of Hancock's Half Hour, 1959.