Film Archive (73)
Tony Hancock – The Rebel - A Pilgrimage to Paris
Written by Simon Wells
© Words Simon Wells
I suppose it’s a question that anyone who appreciates something gets asked a once in their career of fascination. For me, my turn onto Tony Hancock began with “The Rebel”. I can’t tell you how much the film became a source of inspiration to me over the years. I dare say anyone who has done the commuting lark will connect with that classic scene with Hancock at the beginning of the film.
There is nothing I hate more than a majestic piece of history just forgotten, worse still nothing I hate more than history forgotten so soon after it's time. Saturday on Pentonville Road, Kings Cross, London is the well known Scala Nightclub, a location popular with upcoming bands and singers and now legendary in the Drum And Bass scene. Since 1999 Scala Nightclub has carved itself a certain reputation in London nightlife. But what is the saddest tale of all is that beneath what you see now, is an infinitely more appealing Scala that for over 10 years became a hub of activity and controversy.
Made in 1965, filmed in West London and shot in black and white, by a then relatively unknown young film director Roman Polanski, this being his second feature and first English speaking film.
