Broadcast on ITV at 8.00 pm on Boxing Day 1972, comedy legends Eric Sykes and Jimmy Edwards starred in this (highly spontaneous and ad-libbed) televised version of the long-running hit West End comedy, filmed just before it ended its successful run at the Prince of Wales Theatre.
Sykes starred as Mr Bernard Bloome, a meek and mouse-like office executive trying hard for popularity and success in the orders department of a biscuit factory (Chunkibix Ltd) under the eagle eye of his superior, sales manager Mr Price-Hargreaves (Edwards).
Bloome rises in general esteem when he is accused of over-amorous advances by Miss Spencer (Diane Holland), who identifies him as a man who tried to assault her on Wandsworth Common. He instantly becomes the dream lover of every female in the building, from the chairman, Lady Chesapeake (Joan Young) downwards.
Young Fiona (Joyce Irvine) wants to be caressed by this masculine and experienced Mr Bloome; Miss Spencer wants to redeem her lost years with this symbol of manliness, and Lady C craves a closer relationship with this hitherto undiscovered dashing young executive in her business domain.
But the assaulted woman has made a mistake, and none of Bloome’s endeavours can dissuade her from clearing her conscience by admitting it. Inevitably, Bloome returns to the mouse world and the contempt of humanity.
The final act finds both Bloome and Price-Hargreaves heading for Wandsworth Common . . .
The farce was written by Philip King and Falkland Cary.
Mr Bernard Bloome
Eric Sykes Mr Price-Hargreaves
Jimmy Edwards Lady Chesapeake
Joan Young Miss Spencer
Diane Holland Doris Povey
Wendy Lovelock Harold Hopkins
Iain Smith Fiona Jones
Joyce Irvine
