Following
the Beeching Report on the re-shaping of British Railways, it
became obvious that a need existed to show that our railway system
is run by people. That despite its enormous size and
complexity, British Railways is a human organization,
with human faults - and virtues. That it is aware of the problems
of the travelling public, and their complaints - and is constantly
working to improve its service and to put right things that go
wrong. |
Thus
it was decided to launch an advertising campaign which would amuse
- but also inform. The objectives were to show some of the railway's
past shortcomings in a humourous light, and also to say something
about the tremendous efforts being made to establish British Railways
as the finest in Europe. |
After
many hours of discussion the Hancock Report was born. Anthony
Aloysius Hancock was cast in the role of presenter of the public's
complaints - with no holds barred! He turned out to be an excellent
choice. Well-known as a comedian, Hancock had established a basically
sympathetic personality, yet was also known as something of a
grouser. He was exactly the man to put British Railways in their
proper place! |
The
situations chosen for illustration were those which often give
rise to complaints. Cold wet stations, late trains, cuts in service,
dirty carriages, and so on. Plenty of material for eight interesting
advertisements. As a 'point de finesse' Dr Beeching himself was
brought into the campaign to round it off at the end. |
As
Tony Hancock had so many engagements the photographs had to be
taken over a four day period during February 1963. You may remember
the terrible weather! It was so cold the day that the Bank Holiday
shots were taken that the photographer's cameras froze solid!
There were plenty of laughs along the way and many of them were
brought about by Hancock's irrepressible humour - just look at
the perfect expressions in the first advertisement; the attendant
on the Bristol Pullman was helpless with laughter! Other amusing
events spring to mind; the faces of the carriage cleaners at Hampton
Court when dustbins of rubbish were spread all over their nice
clean floors; the anxiety of the Inspector at Waterloo when the
arrivals board showed every single train to be 45 minutes late.
It was hard work - but it was fun. |
The
advertisements appeared and we waited to see what the response
would be. It was good - extraordinarily good! And that's what
prompted us to reprint the advertisements in this booklet. Many
people asked us where they could get copies of the pictures. If
you were one of these people - here you are! The Hancock Report!
Complete and unabridged! We hope you enjoy it. |
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