Anthony Hancock gives up his office job to become an abstract artist. He has a lot of enthusiasm, but little talent, and critics scorn his work. Nevertheless, he impresses an emerging very talented artist. Hancock proceeds to con the art world into thinking he is a genius.

Tony Hancock
as Anthony Hancock

George Sanders
as Sir Charles Broward

Dennis Price
as Jim Smith

John Le Mesurier
as Office manager

Irene Handl
as Mrs. Crevatte

Paul Massie
as Paul Ashby

Marie Devereux
as Yvette

Margit Saad
as Margot Carreras

Grégoire Aslan
as Aristotle Carreras

Liz Fraser
as Waitress