Bare cheek: Great Mysteries Of The World

An occasional series in which we examine some of the unsolved riddles that have befuddled the minds of men through the ages.

Mystery No. 427

Why was he called Bruce Banner in the comic and David Banner on telly?

What was going on there? They didn’t change Clark Kent’s name, did they? Or Bruce Wayne….Ah wait a minute. That’s it. Too many Bruces, see. Maybe it was a bit like joining Equity – there was already a superhero on TV whose real name was Bruce. H
ence David. That’ll be it.

Next week: Why did transforming into the Hulk turn Dr. Banner’s trousers purple? Is that what was incredible about him?

What was that?

Can’t remember the name of a book, song or film? Mike Hunter is the man with the answers….
Dear Mike,

When I was a teenager in the mid 1980s I read a novel which then seemed peculiarly timely and resonant, even though it was set in the future.
It depicted a dystopian Britain in which a brutal, Soviet-style regime quells dissent with a blend of fear, propaganda, strict censorship, torture and constant surveillance, and bullies the masses into adoring their leader (very possibly a mere fictional embodiment of the ruling elite), whose image is projected on huge screens everywhere.

The hero of the novel finds himself drawn, through a forbidden love affair, into the underground movement (possibly another contruct of the state). He is captured by the ‘Thought Police’, interrogated, brainwashed, tortured, and ultimately forced to betray his love when confronted by his greatest fear – a cage of rats strapped to
his face.

As it is thirty years since I read this book, I feel the time is ripe for a re-visit, but cannot recollect its title or author. In fact, I cannot be certain it even exists. Maybe it was a false memory, or waking dream. I went into a pub in the old part of town to ask someone who might remember the times before, but all he came up with was the words to ‘Oranges and Lemons’. Then the clocks struck thirteen and I had to get back to my job at Minitrue.

Please, please help.

Yours,
W. Smith,
Kemptown.

Dear Mr. Smith,

Well, the novel, regularly voted by readers and critics one of the greatest of the 20th Century, certainly does exist and you must have disappeared down a ‘memory hole’ to have forgotten the name of it. In fact, your memory is so double-plus ungood it would make a strong contender for my own personal Room 101 and, were I your Big Brother, I would tear you off an (Air) strip (One). For the novel in question is, of course, that seminal work of Post-War British Fiction, ‘How To Be A Wally’ by Paul Manning.
Glad to be of help!
Love,

Mike.