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The Comedy Man
The Comedy Man “ A frustrated actor consigned to
  parts in provincial repertory theatre
  yearns to break into the big time
  with more demanding high-profile
  roles, but when he is fired for a
  misdemeanour, he finds London
  does not necessarily offer him the
  fame and fortune he desires in
  The Comedy Man...”

DREAMING OF STARDOM while working in provincial repertory theatre, 45-year-old struggling actor Charles "Chick" Byrd (the brilliant Kenneth More: The Galloping Major; We Joined the Navy) is fired following his seduction of the producer's wife.

Taking the opportunity to try his luck in London and realising this is his last chance to make it big, Chick doesn't want to take just any job as he is convinced he deserves a better life as an actor. Even his agent doesn't seem to be working hard enough for him.

“The Comedy Man
is an enjoyable, light-
hearted look at the lives
of actors striving for
the big time in the late
1950s with competent
actors playing
believable characters.
A fascinating piece of
history for any
movie collection...”
An arrogant womaniser and resentful of the passing years as he realises his age is against him, Chick ends up "resting" on the dole while living in a cheap, shared bedsit. One of his flatmates is another down-on-his-luck actor, Julian Baxter (Edmund Purdom: Pieces; The Paradical).

As a struggling actor in Swinging London during the 1960s, Chick relies on his agent Prout (Frank Finlay), but he is upset when his flat-mate Julian's career takes off after a successful screen test, and others seem to be getting on while he isn't. Chick needs to grow up and is jokingly called "the oldest juvenile in the business" by his friend.

Always with an eye to the main chance where women are concerned, he bumps into old flame Judy (Billie Whitelaw: The Sleeping Tiger; Payroll) and they revive their relationship. After an argument Chick meets pretty actress Fay Trubshaw (Angela Douglas, who later became Kenneth More's wife) but in case things don't work out between them, he keeps Judy hanging on.

Thomas Rutherford (Cecil Parker: The Ladykillers; I was Monty's Double), an ageing and failed thespian known for sponging off younger actors, has inveigled himself into Chick's life. This begs the question: Is Chick going to end up the same?

Another fellow actor and old friend, Jack Lavery (Alan Dobie), married to Sandy (Jacqueline Hill) and expecting their first child, is depressed at his own lack of success. Tragically, his inability to support his family finally drives him to suicide.

Sandy tells Chick that Jack's agent Tommy Morris (Dennis Price: Kind Hearts and Coronets; School for Scoundrels) had found a job for Jack in a commercial and Chick, despite seeing television parts as beneath him, contacts Tommy. Eventually Chick agrees to take part in the commercial and, finding some measure of success, is offered further work.

Now earning money and gaining recognition, Chick resents not finding success in the way he really wanted but Tommy Morris, seeing Chick's financial potential, is desperate to keep him on his books. Will a frustrated Chick accept the limitations imposed by middle age, realising that sometimes it is better to take whatever opportunities come your way?

Boasting a career best performance from Kenneth More, this often forgotten example of the late British New Wave features an outstanding cast, skilfully directed by Alvin Rakoff.

The Comedy Man also features: Leila Croft as Pauline; Valerie Croft as Yvonne; Jean Alexander (Coronation Street's brilliant Hilda Ogden) as Wardrobe Lady; Frank Thornton as The Theatre Producer; Jill Adams as Jan Kennedy; Freddie Mills (former heavyweight boxing champion) as Indian Chief; and Gerald Campion (Television's Billy Bunter) as Gerry.

Writers are: Peter Yeldham (Screenwriter); Douglas Hayes (Novel); Music by Bill McGuffie; Director of Photographer is Ken Hodges; Produced by David Henley and Jon Penington; Directed by Alvin Rakoff (Say Hello to Yesterday; A Voyage Round My Father).

STUDIOCANAL announces the release of a brand new 4K restoration of the classic British 'Kitchen Sink Drama' The Comedy Man (1964), available to own on Blu-ray for the very first time, and on DVD and Digital from 18 March 2024.

* The new 4K restoration of The Comedy Man comes complete with brand new extras and is the newest addition to the ever-expanding Vintage Classics Collection from STUDIOCANAL. Certificate: 12 | Running Time: 96 Minutes.

Extras Material

New — The Show Must Go On: An Interview with Alvin Rakoff | New — More to the Point: An Interview with Neil Sinyard | Trailer.

"The Comedy Man is an enjoyable, light-hearted look at the lives of actors striving for the big time in the late 1950s with competent actors playing believable characters. A fascinating piece of history for any movie collection" — Maggie Woods, MotorBar
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