Trouble in Store

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Trouble in Store
Directed by	John Paddy Carstairs
Produced by	Maurice Cowan
Written by	John Paddy Carstairs Maurice Cowan Ted Willis Jill Craigie (uncredited)
Starring	Norman Wisdom Moira Lister Margaret Rutherford
Distributed by	Republic Pictures
Release date(s)	December 14, 1953 (UK) January 12, 1955 (USA)
Running time	85 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
IMDb profile

This article is about a comedy film. For the Brandy & Mr. Whiskers TV episode, see List of Brandy & Mr. Whiskers episodes.

Trouble in Store is a 1953 British comedy film starring Norman Wisdom as a department store clerk. For his performance, Wisdom won a BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer.

1 Plot summary
2 Cast
3 Production
4 External links

[edit] Plot summary

Norman (Norman Wisdom), a lowly stock clerk at Burridge's department store, is in love with another employee, Sally Wilson (Lana Morris), though he has been unable to muster the courage to let her know how he feels. However, he antagonizes the new head of the store, Augustus Freeman (Jerry Desmonde) and is promptly fired. On his way out, Norman helps Miss Bacon (Margaret Rutherford) carry her bulging suitcases, unaware that she is an audacious shoplifter. Freeman sees Norman assisting a "customer" and rehires him.

Meanwhile, Peggy Drew (Moira Lister), the store's personnel manager, flirts with Mr. Freeman, while plotting with her boyfriend Gerald (Derek Bond) to rob the place. Norman is discharged and undischarged again and again, as his escapades somehow manage to benefit the store. He also finally becomes acquainted with Sally, chasing her down through the city streets to return her purse. His antics make her laugh.

After his latest firing, Norman is alarmed to find the handsome, suave Gerald trying to get to know Sally better. When he goes to the man's apartment to warn him to stay away from her, Norman inadvertently uncovers the robbery plot, scheduled to coincide with a big sale the next day. However, he is unable to get Sally or anyone else to take him seriously.

Sally eventually decides to bring Norman's story to the attention of the management, but tells the wrong person, Miss Drew, and is tied up for her efforts. Norman finds her and together, they foil the thieves. Freeman takes Norman back into his employ...but not for long.

[edit] Cast

Norman Wisdom as Norman
Moira Lister as Peggy Drew
Lana Morris as Sally Wilson
Jerry Desmonde as Augustus Freeman
Derek Bond as Gerald
Margaret Rutherford as Miss Bacon
Megs Jenkins as Miss Gibson, Norman's loyal friend in the stockroom
Eddie Leslie as Bill
Michael Brennan as Davis
Michael Ward as Wilbur
Joan Ingram as Miss Denby
Cyril Chamberlain as Alf
Ronan O'Casey as Gang Member
Joan Sims as Edna
John Warren
John Warwick as Robson

[edit] Production

Jill Cragie wrote the first draft of the script, but reportedly asked that her name be removed from the credits after learning of Wisdom's participation.^{[citation needed]}