The Early Bird

For other uses, see Early Bird.
The Early Bird

original UK Quad poster
Directed by Robert Asher
Written by Jack Davies
Norman Wisdom
Starring Norman Wisdom
Edward Chapman
Jerry Desmonde
John Le Mesurier
Music by Ron Goodwin
Cinematography Jack Asher
Edited by Gerry Hambling
Distributed by Rank Organisation Warner Home video
Release dates
1965
Running time
98 minutes
Country United Kingdom
Language English

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".

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 Desmonde).

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.

Cast

Reception

The film was one of the 15 most popular movies at the British box office in 1966.[1] TV Guide wrote, "most of the humor is slapstick, predictable, and only vaguely amusing.";[2] while Allmovie called the film a "lively British satire".[3]

References

  1. "Most popular star for third time." Times [London, England] 31 Dec. 1966: 5. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 11 July 2012.
  2. "The Early Bird Review". Movies.tvguide.com. Retrieved 2014-06-10.
  3. "The Early Bird (1965) - Trailers, Reviews, Synopsis, Showtimes and Cast". AllMovie. Retrieved 2014-06-10.

External links

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