Comedy Man, The (1964)

Charles Byrd (Kenneth More), known as “Chick”, has spent his adult life acting in small repertory companies all over Britain and he’s never had much luck. Acutely aware that time is running out, Chick makes one last stab at finding success in London.

Cue endless auditions, lascivious agents, squalid shared digs and failed relationships as Chick searches for his defining role.

His flatmate Julian (Edmund Purdom) lands a starring role in a Hollywood movie and departs from their shared shabbiness in a Rolls-Royce. Chick, meanwhile, enjoys himself at the expense of former flame Judy (Billy Whitelaw) but quickly abandons her for new squeeze Fay (Angela Douglas), who he calls “Shrimp”.

Chick’s old friend Jack (Alan Dobie) is forced to give up the business by his pregnant wife but hangs himself when he cannot find a job to support his growing family. When his tearful widow Sandy tells Chick that an offer of an acting part has just arrived – too late – in the post, he selfishly rushes to the office of slimy agent Tommy (Dennis Price) to claim it for himself.

Chick – who snobbishly sneers at television work – is offered a TV commercial for a breath freshener. He does it just for the money but it is a raging success and he lands a contract for 26 more, achieving his fame, and fortune.

He is still unhappy, however, having compromised his supposed principles. At a celebratory party, he watches everyone taking advantage or being taken advantage of – including Fay – and walks out in disgust.

Although released in 1964, the film was actually shot in 1962. The film screened in many UK cinemas on a double-bill with Lord of the Flies.

Charles “Chick” Byrd
Kenneth More
Thomas Rutherford
Cecil Parker
Tommy Morris
Dennis Price
Judy
Billie Whitelaw
Theodore Littleton
Norman Rossington
Fay “Shrimp” Trubshaw
Angela Douglas
Julian Baxter
Edmund Purdom
Prout
Frank Finlay
Jack Lavery
Alan Dobie
Gus Sloppitt
J.G. Devlin
Yvonne
Valerie Croft
Pauline
Leila Croft
Gerry
Gerald Campion
Sandy Lavery
Jacqueline Hill
Schuyster
Guy Deghy
Merryweather
Derek Francis
Tommy’s Secretary
Myrtle Reed
Commercial Director
Edwin Richfield
Skippy
Gordon Rollings
Landlady
Eileen Way
Chubby Checker
Himself

Director
Alvin Rakoff