An Alligator Named Daisy
| An Alligator Named Daisy | |
|---|---|
.jpg) UK theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | J. Lee Thompson |
| Written by |
Jack Davies Charles Terrot (novel) |
| Starring |
Donald Sinden Jeannie Carson James Robertson Justice Diana Dors Stanley Holloway |
| Cinematography | Reginald H. Wyer |
| Edited by | John D. Guthridge |
| Distributed by | Rank Organisation |
Release dates | 13 December 1955 |
Running time | 88 min |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
An Alligator Named Daisy is a 1955 British comedy film directed by J. Lee Thompson and starring Donald Sinden, Jeannie Carson, James Robertson Justice, Diana Dors, Roland Culver and Stanley Holloway.[1][2]
Plot
Returning from a cricket match in Ireland, Peter Weston, an Englishman, is left a pet alligator by another passenger who abandons it to him. He is horrified and his first instinct is to get rid of it as soon as possible. However, he soon develops a bond with a young Irishwoman which appears to be centred almost entirely around the animal. He soon discovers that Daisy is very tame and domesticated, and seems to be the way to Moira's heart.
Once back in London, Weston struggles to keep Daisy under control – as she upsets his family, loses him his job at a department store and imperils his relationship with his fiancée (Diana Dors). He plans to get rid of Daisy, but the police and a pet shop refuse to take her so he abandons her in Regent's Park – later returning to rescue her with a sense of guilt. Owing to a mix-up, Daisy is packed along with the rest of his luggage to accompany him to his prospective's father-in-law's country house. Daisy soon escapes and causes mayhem bringing his engagement seemingly to an end and opening the way to a relationship with Moira.
Cast
- Donald Sinden - Peter Weston
- Jeannie Carson - Moira O'Shannon
- James Robertson Justice - Sir James Colbrooke
- Diana Dors - Vanessa Colbrooke
- Roland Culver - Mr Weston
- Stanley Holloway - The General
- Avice Landone - Mrs Weston
- Richard Wattis - Hoskins
- Stephen Boyd - Albert O'Shannon
- Ernest Thesiger - Notcher
- Henry Kendall - Valet
- Michael Shepley - The Judge
- Wilfrid Lawson - Irishman
- Charles Victor - Sergeant
- George Moon - Al
- Margaret Rutherford - Prudence Croquet
- Joan Hickson - Piano Customer
- Jimmy Edwards - Alligator owner
- Frankie Howerd - Comedian
- George Woodbridge - PC Jorkins
Critical reception
The TV Guide wrote, "This very funny film has an excellent supporting cast."[3] The New York Times found that despite "a curiously cute bit by Margaret Rutherford, as a pet-shop owner who talks to the animals in their own "language."...the joke wears thin."[4]
References
- ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047813/
- ↑ "An Alligator Named Daisy". British Film Institute. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
- ↑ "An Alligator Named Daisy Review". Movies.tvguide.com. Retrieved 2014-03-08.
- ↑ A.H. WEILERDonald Sinden (1957-10-07). "Movie Review - An Alligator Named Daisy - Screen: New Best Friend; 'Alligator Named Daisy' Slithers Into Sutton". NYTimes.com. Retrieved 2014-03-08.