The Comedy Man

This British ‘New Wave’ kitchen sink drama from 1964 sees Kenneth More in one of his finest roles: that of a middle-aged actor arriving in Swinging London after he gets fired from his job in a rep theatre.

Based on the little known and long out of print novel by Douglas Hayes, this is a film that will still be every bit as poignant to the out of work actor today as it was then. The redoubtable Kenneth More (a part he particularly wanted to play as he could relate to it) plays just such an actor. In this case, the actor in question is Chick Byrd who, due to an 'indiscretion' (he seduced the producer’s wife) gets sacked from playing a leading part in what looks like a prestigious repertory theatre up North. At 40 years old, he’s aware that time is running out – nonetheless he heads for London and finds himself in squalid actors digs (the now long demolished Chichester Place to be precise) complete with peeling wallpaper and a leaking roof.

He is greeted at the doorway by Prout (Frank Finlay), an actor cum agent sans office it would seem. Chick soon meets old acquaintance Julian Baxter (Edmund Purdom) who is about to leave the shabby and leaking hellhole (the rooms in question are even given similar names painted on the doors) and launch a career as a major movie star. Lucky him! Julian takes Chick down to see his agent Tommy Morris (Dennis Price), a shady old lech who has nothing for Chick. Of course, Chick, who had made it known beforehand that he wasn't interested in work for TV-commercials, doesn’t help himself here.

Later on, he meets his former lover and rep colleague Judy (Billie Whitelaw) and will the old flame be re-ignited? Judy is now running what appears to be an actors’ boozer and she even offers Chick some money though being an honourable thespian, he refuses the offer. Meanwhile, Prout offers Chick a job as an Extra playing a native Indian in a truly embarrassing TV-commercial and our increasingly frustrated and skint anti-hero has little choice but to accept, alas, things don’t work out as anticipated. However, Chick does have a bit of a result as one of the ‘squaws’ Fay Trubshaw (played by Angela Douglas, later to become Mrs. More) establishes a quick rapport. Chick also has another old friend in fellow thespian Jack Lavery (Alan Dobie), who happens to be mega-depressed because, jut like Chick, he cannot get any acting work and his wife Sandy (Jacqueline Hill) is pregnant to boot – giving him a hard time and urging him to get a proper job! This constant nagging has, unfortunately, tragic consequences but one man’s tragedy is another man’s gain: Sandy informs Chick that Tommy Morris actually phoned, offering Jack a job just hours after, well, the tragedy. Cap in hand and swallowing his pride, Chick goes to see Tommy to ask if the role is still on offer. “I didn't think you were interested in TV commercials, old boy?”

Given his dire circumstances, Chick has little choice and gets the part advertising ‘Honey Breath’ peppermints. Within no time, more and more of these silly adverts are in demand and suddenly he's in the money. Success aside, Chick is in danger of becoming totally synonymous with this part though let’s face it, it’s hardly King Lear, is it? Anyway, now rolling in it, he throws a party after Fay and himself have spruced up the dump. Is this how actors behave at parties? While everyone is getting hammered and dancing to Chubby Checker’s beats, lascivious agent Tommy takes a big shine to Fay and it wouldn't be the first time. Julian Baxter, by now a big film star, breezes in with his glamorous and bored looking girlfriend to congratulate his old pal on his ‘Honey Breath’ success before he makes his exit. Looking at Fay frolicking with Tommy and at all the other guests making fools of themselves, a deeply contemplative Chick suddenly and unexpectedly decides on another course of action - this after horrible old Tommy had told him about the peppermint company wanting 26 more ads! The next morning, Chick, carrying a suitcase and with other plans on his mind, is looking for a taxi….
It's not difficult to see why Kenneth More wanted to play this part and he gives a stellar performance indeed! If you are thinking of a career in the acting profession you might glean a little more from this. Perhaps the film comes across as a little old fashioned in some respects but that shouldn't put anyone off. It does have heart and also surprisingly, nudity, which was unusual for commercial movies at that time. Director Alvin Rakoff and screenwriter Peter Yeldham did a fine job with this eye-opener of sorts.

4K Restoration available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital. Bonus material:
*The Show Must Go On: Interview with director Alvin Rakoff
*Interview with Neil Sinyard / *Trailer