Hair of the Dog (film)
| Hair of the Dog | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Directed by | Terry Bishop |
| Written by | Tony Hawes John O'Gorman |
| Produced by | Jack Parsons |
| Starring | Reginald Beckwith Dorinda Stevens John Le Mesurier |
| Cinematography | Ken Hodges |
| Edited by | Peter Bezencenet |
| Music by | David Lee |
Production company | Parroch Films |
| Distributed by | J. Arthur Rank Film Distributors (U.K.)[1] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 66 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Hair of the Dog is a 1962 second feature[2] British comedy film directed by Terry Bishop and starring Reginald Beckwith, Dorinda Stevens and John Le Mesurier.[3] It was written by Tony Hawes and John O'Gorman.
Plot
Fred Tickle is commissionaire at a razor blade factory, and grows a beard after developing a shaving rash, but his new appearance doesn't go down well with management.
Cast
- Reginald Beckwith as Fred Tickle
- Dorinda Stevens as Ann Tickle
- John Le Mesurier as Sir Mortimer Gallant
- Brian Oulton as Gregory Willett
- Alison Bayley as Violet Tickle
- Harold Goodwin as Percy
- Barbara Windsor as Elsie Grumble
- Stanley Morgan as Jim Lester
- Stanley Unwin as vicar
- Keith Smith as interviewer
- Tony Hawes as Mr Rembrandt
- Edward Malin as Sidney
- Raymond Rollett as Arthur
- Cardew Robinson as doctor
Critical reception
Monthly Film Bulletin said "The appealing comedy idea suggests an Ealing ancestry. But the script and direction make heavy and obvious fun of it; while the resources of the slender theme are tediously strained by the bumping up of Fred's beard into an international issue. The less bizarre but more fruitful vein of humour, as the little man expands in stature through the impressive effect of his face fungus, is too carelessly treated to register. The acting, though serviceable, is as predictable as the treatment, except for John Le Mesurier's excellent portrayal of the business tycoon, Sir Mortimer. Stars are expendable, but what price British comedies if Le Mesurier should ever desert from the ranks?"[4]
Kine Weekly wrote: "The picture seizes on a really bright theme and exploits its humour slickly. Reginald Beckwith contributes a skilfully graduated portrayal as Fred, Alison Bayley is the typical domineering stage wife as Violet, and Dorinda Stevens and Stanley Morgan make the most of a conventional heart interest as Ann and Jim. The semi-detached villa, factory and local pub settings thoroughly convince, while the dialogue fits the widely assorted characters perfectly. "[5]
References
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (20 July 2025). "Forgotten British Film Studios: The Rank Organisation, 1962". Filmink. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
- ^ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 156. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
- ^ "Hair of the Dog". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ "Hair of the Dog". Monthly Film Bulletin. 29 (336): 23. 1 January 1962. ProQuest 1305830762.
- ^ "Hair of the Dog". Kine Weekly. 536 (2832): 23. 11 January 1962. ProQuest 3127062141.