Joan Le Mesurier (1931–2021)

If you have watched the BBC TV comedy series, Dad's Army, you know John Le Mesurier's character: he was as suave and sophisticated as Sargent Wilson. It is strange, therefore, that both his wives were unfaithful to him.

This book covers his marriage to Joan (hardly surprising, as she is the author!) Joan describes, honestly, the fascination she felt for John's friend, Tony Hancock and how she was unfaithful to John and still did not see that Hancock was 'damaged goods', when he hit her in drunken states. John was absolutely amazing, he did not berate his wife but waited patiently to pick up the pieces once the inevitable separation came.

The fact that he took Joan back and consoled her after Hancock's suicide is quite astounding. She says that he never used her infidelity against her. I wish I were so understanding; although, it does come across, sometimes, as if John were just a little too laid back. Rather in the style of the aforementioned Sargent Wilson, he never seems to have made a stand for or against anything.… (plus d'informations)

This is a difficult book to review: it certainly is a worthwhile read from many aspects but, conclusions are hard to draw.
Joan Le Mesurier was the wife of actor John Le Mesurier. The title for her biography comes from 'The Missing Page,' an episode of Hancock's Half Hour. The link being that Mrs. Le Mesurier walked out on her husband for Hancock.
The story is quite extraordinary as John and Tony were best mates: John accepted the situation with good grace and, took Joan back after an alcoholic Hancock attacked Joan once too often.: even then, Joan sneaked back to Hancock at every opportunity as this most peculiar ménage à trois wreaked havoc with the lives of its members and all who came in to contact with them.
This is a very honest autobiography, in that Joan does not try to hide what she did, even when history does not cover her actions in glory, however, she comes across, at different times, as a saint, a devil woman and a fool. On reflection, this may not be so surprising; if we were honest, probably all our lives would give similar seemingly incongruous indications.
This is a book which anyone with an interest in Tony Hancock needs to read: it balances some of the biographies which, whilst better researched, lose the soul of the man.… (plus d'informations)