Comic Strip Review: Meet Andy Capp by Reg Smythe
Andrew Capp is a working class chap from Hartlepool in Northeast England. Despite his “class”, Andy’s hardly ever in work, roundly despising all forms of paid labor. It’s up to his long-suffering wife Florrie to support them with charwoman jobs. Andy enjoys sleeping, gambling, flirting with the ladies, and especially drinking.
Andy Capp was created in 1957 by Reg Smythe (1917-1998) for a comic panel in the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror newspapers which eventually turned into a horizontal strip. This volume reprints some of the earliest gags.
It’s said that Mr. Smythe based his characters on his own parents, with a few exaggerated local stereotypes tossed in. In real life, Hartlepool had severe unemployment problems because of endemic economic issues after World War Two ended and the shipbuilding industry withered.
But with Andy, it’s more or less voluntary. He dodges employment like a pro, and the rent is always late, but somehow he manages to scrape up enough money for drinks. He and Florrie fight often (and in these early panels, with their fists) but do in the end get along well enough to stay together.
Those familiar with the current run will find it very recognizable–everyone just kept wearing the fashions of the late 1950s-early 1960s, including Andy’s never-removed cap.
But there have been changes. Andy stopped smoking in 1983 when his creator had to give up the habit for his health. And now instead of brawling, Florrie and Andy trade verbal barbs at the marriage counselor’s office.
There are some gems in here–such as Andy telling a barmaid he can tell when he’s had enough, falling over and admitting, “I’ve ‘ad enough.” Or Andy tearing up a losing greyhound racing ticket and snarling at the cringing also-ran as Florrie notes, “That’s a terrible thing to say to a dog.” Others are cringey, as the one where he chases a woman he saved from drowning for his “reward.” Continuity is unimportant, as the characters are types and don’t need to grow over time.
Over the years, there have been a number of collections of Andy Capp strips, one much like another; if you like the character, they’re all good enough.
Consider reading this while munching on one of the Capp-endorsed snack foods!
And now, a commercial Andy Capp was in:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m–7y5rfaaU
