Pathetic Inspiration in Hancock's 'Economy Drive'

'The washing machine was still going... all the water has evaporated... and what has happened to the shirts we shall never know' (Tony to Sid) "Hancock's Half Hour: The Economy Drive" is both pathetic inspiration and hilarious warning to those trying to save a penny, as the pair return from holiday and discover they've left the lighting, radiator, television, washing machine (my favourite?? Delightful nonsense), and almost everything else on the whole time they've been away, not to mention Sid didn't cancel the milk, bread, or newspapers (he did, however, in a moment of misplaced organisation, have the telephone cut off). I mostly love it for the opening scenes when they make it to their front door dressed in Eastern European clothes as they keep arguing (mostly, Tony keeps arguing with Sid), and the deep manic anxiety that rises in Tony as he worries about the house being robbed and realises how much money he'll have spent away for nothing.

The dialogue is highly entertaining, as is a moment in Tony's high-pitched tirade of exasperation and upset when Hancock suddenly tries to fight back laughter (and as the audience notices and laughs too, even James adorably turns away to hold back his own laughter). A nice measure of strong, solid script and the joyful light spontaneity of performing before a live audience. In punishing austerity, Tony tries to make amends and save what they've got, heading to the Railway Lost Property Office to find himself a suit (haha) and swapping the Dorchester to wrestle with the whole world and their cousin in a canteen-style restaurant), returning home (as always) miserable, somewhat defeated, and ridiculously/righteously affronted by people and reality. In the end, in what may be a cruel/ironic twist of fate or a gently humorous blessing (the typical Galton & Simpson formula), Sid's 'fatalist' advice becomes helpful as they trip over the worn carpeted stairs (in the dark, haha), and must give their savings to the NHS after a nice long stay, but at least Tony is finally persuaded to light the fire as they try to live a little comfortably Xo