The dignified Edinburgh House of MacPherson, famous for its hand-woven tweeds, is invaded by Mrs Angela Barrows (Constance Cummings), a slick American business efficiency expert.
Mrs Barrows impresses Robert MacPherson (Robert Morley), the mature son of the late founder, but her new methods get into the hair of old retainers, particularly Mr Martin (Peter Sellers), the staid and abstemious chief accountant.
At first, Martin sabotages Mrs Barrows’ gadgets, but she retaliates and induces Robert to sack ancient employees and make use of synthetic materials in place of hand-made tweed.
Desperate, Martin plots to liquidate Mrs Barrows while posing as a secret drinking rake. The plan backfires, yet Martin gets a far better idea, which results in Mrs Barrows nearly being “certified.”
The House of MacPherson then returns to normal.
Peter Sellers, aping David Kossoff’s style, easily walks away with the film. Based on James Thurber’s short story The Catbird Seat.
Mr Martin
Peter Sellers Robert Macpherson
Robert Morley Angela Barrows
Constance Cummings Andrew Darling
Jameson Clark Old Macpherson
Ernest Thesiger Irwin Hoffman
Donald Pleasence Graham
Moultrie Kelsall Robertson
Alex Mackenzie Macleod
Roddy McMillan Detective
Michael Goodliffe Nightwatchman
James Gibson Mr White
Noel Howlett Mr Meekie
Abe Barker Mr Munson
Gordon Phillott Jock Munro
Norman MacOwan CJ
MacDonald Parke Jeannie MacDougall
Patricia Hayes Commentary
Sam Wanamaker
Director
Charles Crichton
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The dignified Edinburgh House of MacPherson, famous for its hand-woven tweeds, is invaded by Mrs Angela Barrows (Constance Cummings), a slick American business efficiency expert.
At first, Martin sabotages Mrs Barrows’ gadgets, but she retaliates and induces Robert to sack ancient employees and make use of synthetic materials in place of hand-made tweed.
