The Rebel



The Rebel (AKA Call Me Genius) is a 1961 comedy film staring Tony Hancock and written by his regular tv writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson (Hancock is also credited with co-writing the screen story). The film stars Hancock as a lowly accountant who, in his secret life, is also a struggling artist (struggling possibly because of his total lack of talent). Fustrated by his lack of appreciation in his home country, he flees to Paris where he takes room with Paul, a fellow struggling (although actually talented) artist. Hancock is quickly embraced by the Parisian artistic community which further disillusions Paul who gives up his artistic ambitions and goes to London. Then, the famous art critic Sir Charles Broward, hears of the news of a major talent....

This film contains examples of:

 * The Danza: Tony Hancock as Anthony Hancock, and Paul Massie as Paul.
 * Hypocritical Humour: One scene features Hancok at a party complaining about how, in his former life as an accountant, everyone dressed in identical suits. This is viewed with horror by five identically dressed goths.
 * Kavorka Man: Hancock himself. For some reason, once transplanted to Paris, he becomes irresitable to women; at one point the wife of a local gangster threatens to shoot herself over him after only knowing him for a couple of hours.
 * Market Based Title: The film was known as Call Me Genius in America to avoid confusion with the TV Western also known as The Rebel.
 * Straw Critic: Averted. George Sanders' art critic is the only one who sees through Hancock's lack of talent and recognises Paul for the real talent. Of course, there is a minor problem of mistaken identity to get past.
 * True Art Is Incomprehensible: In Universe, one of the major sources of humour for the film.