The Sandwich Man (1966 film)
The Sandwich Man is a 1966 British comedy film directed by Robert Hartford-Davis and written by Hartford-Davis and Michael Bentine. The film also stars Bentine, with support from Dora Bryan, Harry H. Corbett, Bernard Cribbins, Diana Dors, Norman Wisdom, Terry-Thomas, Ian Hendry and numerous other British character actors.
| The Sandwich Man | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | Robert Hartford-Davis |
| Produced by | Peter Newbrook |
| Written by | Michael Bentine Robert Hartford-Davis |
| Starring | Michael Bentine Dora Bryan Harry H. Corbett |
| Music by | Mike Vickers |
| Cinematography | Peter Newbrook |
| Edited by | Peter Taylor |
| Distributed by |
|
Release date | July 1966 |
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £214,452[1] |
Plot synopsis
Bentine takes the leading role, playing Horace Quilby, a mild-mannered widower living in the London Docklands. His job as a sandwich-board man requires him to wander around London wearing morning dress and carrying advertisements. He is also secretary of the Sandwichmen's Brotherhood. But his real interest in life is pigeon racing, especially 'Esmerelda', who is racing from Bordeaux to London.
During the course of one day, Quilby encounters a host of eccentric characters, who are played by some of Britain's best known comedy and character actors, and becomes involved in a series of capers. The main story thread sees Quilby reunite Sue (Suzy Kendall), a young model, with her errant boyfriend Steven (David Buck).
Esmerelda wins her race, and the whole of Quilby's neighbourhood join in the celebrations.
Cast
- Michael Bentine as Horace Quilby, the Sandwich Man, also Gungadin the owner of a Jazz Club.
- Dora Bryan as Mrs. DeVere
- Harry H. Corbett as Stage-Door Keeper
- Bernard Cribbins as Photographer
- Diana Dors as First Billingsgate Lady
- Ian Hendry as Policeman on Motorbike
- Stanley Holloway as Park Gardener
- Wilfrid Hyde-White as Lord Uffingham
- Michael Medwin as Sewer Man
- Ron Moody as Rowing Coach
- Anna Quayle as Second Billingsgate Lady
- Terry-Thomas as Scoutmaster
- Norman Wisdom as Boxing Vicar
- Donald Wolfit as Car Salesman
- Suzy Kendall as Sue
- Alfie Bass as Model Yachtsman
- Fred Emney as Sir Mervyn Moleskin
- Sydney Tafler as First Fish Porter
- Frank Finlay as Second Fish Porter
- Warren Mitchell as Gypsy Sid
- David Buck as Steven Mansfield
- Tracey Crisp as Girl in the Black Plastic Mac
- Earl Cameron as Bus Conductor
- Roger Delgado as Abdul, the carpet seller
- Leon Thau as Ram
- Hugh Futcher as Gogi
- Ronnie Stevens as Drunk
- Peter Jones as Escapologist
- John Le Mesurier as Senior Sandwich Man
- Max Bacon as Chef
- John Junkin as Chauffeur
- Gerald Campion as Sandwich Man in Suit of Armour
- Burt Kwouk as Ice Cream Man
- David Lodge as Charlie
- Aubrey Morris as Cedric
- Peter Arne as Gentleman in Rolls Royce
- Jeremy Lloyd as Guardsman
- Michael Trubshawe as Guardsman
- Ewen Solon as Blind man
- Michael John Chaplin (Charlie's son) as the pavement/sidewalk artist
- Brian Cant Press photographer at East End street party
- Nosher Powell as Nosher, the bus driver
- Joe Gibbons as Man on Mowing Machine
- Deborah Bishop as Woman taking an unnatural interest in the size of Frank Finlay's sandwich
Production
The film was the second in a short lived series of co productions between the NFFC and Rank.[2]
Reception
The film was poorly received at the time of its release, critically and commercially,[3] but has since achieved some attention especially for its backdrop of London in the Swinging Sixties.
References
- Petrie p 10
- Petrie p 7-8
- Petrie p 13-14
Notes
- Petrie, Duncan James (2016). "Resisting Hollywood Dominance in Sixties British Cinema : The NFFC/Rank Joint Financing Initiative" (PDF). Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television.