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An Alligator Named Daisy
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Wikipedia article
'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.ALLIGATOR NAMED DAISY, An
Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 23, Iss. 264, (Jan 1, 1956): 6.
Plot
Returning from a cricket match in Ireland, Peter Weston (Sinden), an Englishman, is left with a pet alligator by another passenger who abandons it to him. Horrified, his first instinct is to get rid of it as soon as possible. However, he soon develops a bond with Moira (Carson), 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 fiance Vanessa (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 with a sense of guilt to rescue her. Owing to a mix-up, Daisy is packed along with the rest of his luggage and accompanies him to his prospective father-in-law's country house. There, Daisy escapes and causes mayhem, while the arrival of Moira's "husband" produces a surprising outcome for all of them.
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 (uncredited)
* Henry Kendall Valet
* Michael Shepley The Judge
* Wilfrid Lawson Irishman (uncredited)
* Charles Victor Sergeant (uncredited)
* George Moon Al (uncredited)
* Margaret Rutherford Prudence Croquet
* Joan Hickson Piano Customer (uncredited)
* Jimmy Edwards Alligator owner (uncredited)
* Frankie Howerd Comedian (uncredited)
* George Woodbridge PC Jorkins (uncredited)
* Colin Freear - Garage Boy (uncredited)
Production
The film was based on a novel published in 1954.Our Bookshelf: BELLA NORTH
Stern, G B. The Sketch; London Vol. 221, Iss. 2869, (Sep 22, 1954): 232. Film rights were bought by Raymond Stross in November 1954. He wanted Diana Dors, Janette Scott and Kenneth Moore to star.
Filming took place at Pinewood Studios in May 1955.Round the British Studios
Nepean, Edith. Picture Show; London Vol. 65, Iss. 1690, (Aug 20, 1955): 11. It was Dors' third movie with Thompson.
Critical reception
The 'TV Guide' wrote, "This very funny film has an excellent supporting cast." '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."
References
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