In The Doghouse follows the misadventures of kindhearted but bumbling new veterinarian Jimmy Fox-Upton (Leslie Phillips) who eventually graduates after 10 years of trying.
He buys a run-down practice in a poor area and juggles a high caseload and a complex love life – with glamorous nightclub performer Sally Huxley (Peggy Cummins) and her mischievous chimp – while dealing with boorish rival Bob Skeffington (James Booth) who is fleecing the rich in an elegant veterinary practice (complete with hairdryers for pekes and psychiatric couches for mixed-up pugs) and has a scheme to export old horses to France for their meat.
The laughs come from Fox-Upton’s dealings with the locals.
Keep an eye out for Hattie Jacques, Esma Cannon, Dick Bentley, Joan Hickson, Vida Hope, Peggy Thorpe-Bates, Fenella Fielding and Patsy Rowlands.
The film was based on the reminiscences of Alex Duncan, who did for vets what Richard Gordon did for doctors.
He wrote four books, A Vet’s Life, which the film is based on, then Vet in Congress, Vets in the Manger, and Vets in the Belfry.
Jimmy Fox-Upton
Leslie Phillips Sally Huxley
Peggy Cummins Primrose Gudgeon
Hattie Jacques Bob Skeffington
James Booth Mr Peddle
Dick Bentley Dean
Colin Gordon Mrs Peddle
Joan Heal Mrs Raikes
Esma Cannon Miss Fordyce
Fenella Fielding Mr Ribart
Richard Goolden Miss Gibbs
Joan Hickson Mrs Crabtree
Vida Hope Rita
Jacqueline Jones Mrs Muswell
Peggy Thorpe-Bates Sid West
Harry Locke Barmaid
Patsy Rowlands Colonel
Kynaston Reeves Middle-Aged Woman
Joan Young Massage Woman
Judith Furse Policeman
Lance Percival
Dean
Mrs Crabtree
