The Early Bird
Encyclopedia
The Early Bird is a 1965
British comedy film
directed by Robert Asher
and starring Norman Wisdom
. It also featured Edward Chapman
, Bryan Pringle
, Richard Vernon
, John Le Mesurier
and Jerry Desmonde
. It was the first Norman Wisdom film to be shot in colour. The title is taken from the expression "the early bird catches the worm".
).
Much of the humour centres on classic slapstick comedy, with Norman encountering various comedic escapades. These include being dragged around Mr. Hunter's garden by an errant lawnmower and using the fire brigade's high pressure hosepipes to blast firemen off their ladders, after being called to a suspected fire at Consolidated Dairies' HQ.
The film used some notable special effects: to create extra storeys in the Consolidated Dairies' building and to create the illusion that Mrs. Hoskins (Paddie O'Neil
) has a horse's head.
1965 in film
The year 1965 in film involved some significant events, with The Sound of Music topping the U.S. box office.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:...
British comedy film
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
directed by Robert Asher
Robert Asher (Director)
Robert Asher was a British film and television director.-Film career:Asher began his career as an assistant director in 1934, working with Anthony Pelissier, Robert Hamer, Maurice Elvey and Roy Ward Baker among others...
and starring Norman Wisdom
Norman Wisdom
Sir Norman Joseph Wisdom, OBE was an English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter best known for a series of comedy films produced between 1953 and 1966 featuring his hapless onscreen character Norman Pitkin...
. It also featured Edward Chapman
Edward Chapman (actor)
Edward Chapman was an English actor who starred in many films and television programmes, but is chiefly remembered as "Mr. Wilfred Grimsdale", the officious superior and comic foil to Norman Wisdom's character of Pitkin in many of his films from the late 1950s and 1960s.Chapman was born in...
, Bryan Pringle
Bryan Pringle
Bryan Pringle was a British actor who appeared in television, film and theatre productions.Born in Tamworth, Staffordshire but raised in the Lancashire town of Bolton he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. In 1958, he married character actress Anne Jameson; together they had...
, Richard Vernon
Richard Vernon
Richard Vernon was a British actor. He appeared in many feature films and television programmes, often in aristocratic or supercilious roles...
, John Le Mesurier
John Le Mesurier
John Le Mesurier was a BAFTA Award-winning English actor. He is most famous for his role as Sergeant Arthur Wilson in the popular 1970s BBC comedy Dad's Army.-Career:...
and Jerry Desmonde
Jerry Desmonde
Jerry Desmonde was an English stage musical, film, and television actor principally in comedies and drama. He is probably best known as a straight man to Norman Wisdom.Jerry is sometimes credited as Jerry Desmond....
. It was the first Norman Wisdom film to be shot in colour. The title is taken from the expression "the early bird catches the worm".
Synopsis
Wisdom's character works for Grimsdale's Dairy as a milkman, in competition with Consolidated Dairies, an ever-growing rival company under the management of Walter Hunter (played by Jerry DesmondeJerry Desmonde
Jerry Desmonde was an English stage musical, film, and television actor principally in comedies and drama. He is probably best known as a straight man to Norman Wisdom.Jerry is sometimes credited as Jerry Desmond....
).
Much of the humour centres on classic slapstick comedy, with Norman encountering various comedic escapades. These include being dragged around Mr. Hunter's garden by an errant lawnmower and using the fire brigade's high pressure hosepipes to blast firemen off their ladders, after being called to a suspected fire at Consolidated Dairies' HQ.
The film used some notable special effects: to create extra storeys in the Consolidated Dairies' building and to create the illusion that Mrs. Hoskins (Paddie O'Neil
Paddie O'Neil
Paddie O'Neil OBE was a British actress and singer.-Filmography:* Penny Points to Paradise * The Early Bird * The Adding Machine * Fanny Hill -External links:***...
) has a horse's head.
Cast
- Norman WisdomNorman WisdomSir Norman Joseph Wisdom, OBE was an English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter best known for a series of comedy films produced between 1953 and 1966 featuring his hapless onscreen character Norman Pitkin...
as Norman Pitkin - Edward ChapmanEdward Chapman (actor)Edward Chapman was an English actor who starred in many films and television programmes, but is chiefly remembered as "Mr. Wilfred Grimsdale", the officious superior and comic foil to Norman Wisdom's character of Pitkin in many of his films from the late 1950s and 1960s.Chapman was born in...
as Mr. Thomas Grimsdale - Jerry DesmondeJerry DesmondeJerry Desmonde was an English stage musical, film, and television actor principally in comedies and drama. He is probably best known as a straight man to Norman Wisdom.Jerry is sometimes credited as Jerry Desmond....
as Mr. Walter Hunter - Paddie O'NeilPaddie O'NeilPaddie O'Neil OBE was a British actress and singer.-Filmography:* Penny Points to Paradise * The Early Bird * The Adding Machine * Fanny Hill -External links:***...
as Mrs. Gladwys Hoskins - Bryan PringleBryan PringleBryan Pringle was a British actor who appeared in television, film and theatre productions.Born in Tamworth, Staffordshire but raised in the Lancashire town of Bolton he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. In 1958, he married character actress Anne Jameson; together they had...
as Austin - Richard VernonRichard VernonRichard Vernon was a British actor. He appeared in many feature films and television programmes, often in aristocratic or supercilious roles...
as Sir Roger Wedgewood - John Le MesurierJohn Le MesurierJohn Le Mesurier was a BAFTA Award-winning English actor. He is most famous for his role as Sergeant Arthur Wilson in the popular 1970s BBC comedy Dad's Army.-Career:...
as Colonel Foster - Peter JeffreyPeter JeffreyPeter Jeffrey was a British actor with many roles in television and film.Jeffrey was born in Bristol, the son of Florence Alice and Arthur Winfred Gilbert Jeffrey. He was educated at Harrow School and Pembroke College, Cambridge but had no formal training as an actor...
as Fire Chief - Penny MorrellPenny MorrellPenny Morrell is a British actress, born on 4 February 1938. She married actor George Cole in 1964.-Selected filmography:*Reach for the Sky * Brothers in Law * Lucky Jim * Too Hot to Handle...
as Miss Curry - Marjie Lawrence as Woman in negligee
- Frank ThorntonFrank ThorntonFrank Thornton is an English actor who is best known for playing Captain Peacock in Are You Being Served? and its sequel Grace & Favour and as Truly in Last of the Summer Wine.-Early life:...
as Drunken doctor - Dandy NicholsDandy Nichols-References:* Dandy Nichols at screenonline.* Dandy Nichols at The Museum of Broadcast Communications.-External links:...
as Woman flooded by milk - Harry LockeHarry LockeHarry Locke was a British character actor.He was born and died in London. He was a familiar face in three decades of British cinema, with appearances including Passport to Pimlico , Reach for the Sky , Carry On Nurse , The Devil-Ship Pirates and The Family Way .In 1969 he appeared in Randall...
as Commissionaire - Michael BiltonMichael BiltonMichael Bilton was an English actor best known for his roles in the British television sitcoms To the Manor Born and Waiting for God....
as Nervous Man - Imogen HassallImogen HassallImogen Hassall was an English actress who appeared in 33 films during the 1960s and 1970s.- Early life :...
as Sir Roger's Secretary