Murdoch Troon ( Stanley Baxter ), a shy young Scotsman living in England, is knocked off his bike by pompous motorist Charles Chingford ( James Robertson Justice ), who hates both cyclists and Scotsmen.
Troon tracks him down through his licence plate number, and turns up at the Chingford home demanding compensation. It is here that he meets and falls for Chingford's lovely daughter Claire ( Julie Christie ). She in turn is attracted to him, nicknaming him 'Wee Willie Walked'.
Desperate to impress her enough to get her to go on a date, Murdoch decides to learn how to drive. His friend and fellow boarder, car salesman Freddy Fox ( Leslie Phillips ) helps him out, but is concealing an ulterior motive. Not having sold a motor car lately, Fox is told by his boss ( Dick Emery ) that he may be sacked unless things change. Fox persuades Murdoch to buy a vintage green Bentley called 'The Fast Lady'. Then his troubles really begin...
This was the second of four 1960's British comedy films featuring Stanley Baxter, James Robertson Justice, and Leslie Phillips. The others were 'Very Important Person' ( 1961 ), 'Crooks Anonymous' ( 1962 ) and 'Father Came Too' ( 1963 ). With the exception of the latter, all were directed by Ken Annakin, who later made 'Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines'.
Baxter plays a naive young man, as he would later do in 'Father Came Too'. He was very good at playing these characters, but is best remembered for those superb L.W.T. shows in which he played dozens. Robertson Justice's 'Charles Chingford' is virtually identical to 'Sir Lancelot Spratt' from the 'Doctor' films. Leslie Phillips is, of course, the debonair lounge-lizard we all know and love. He does not say 'ding dong!' here, but you expect him too.
Julie Christie was a mere three years away from winning a Best Actress Oscar for her performance as model 'Diana Scott' in 'Darling' ( 1965 ). Even here you could tell that she was not just another pretty face. Her scenes with Baxter are charming.
Plenty of car stunts to be found in this film. These sequences were directed by Don Sharp, who later directed the flying scenes for 'Those Magnificent Men'. 'The Fast Lady' itself looks like John Steed's car from 'The Avengers' television series. Maybe it was. The producer - Julian Wintle - was responsible for both.
And what a supporting cast! Eric Barker, Deryck Guyler, Dick Emery, Kathleen Harrison, Allan Cuthbertson, Ann Beach, with cameos from Frankie Howerd, Bernard Cribbins, Fred Emney, and Clive Dunn. Motor racing legend Graham Hill is in one of Troon's day-dreams.
The script was by Jack Davies and Henry Blyth, the writing team behind several Norman Wisdom comedies.
Funniest moment - Troon learning to drive 'The Fast Lady'. Just before he reverses into a disused aircraft hangar, Freddy calls out: "Pretend you are reversing into your own garage!". Murdoch winds up smashing through the back wall. "Just as well you haven't got a garage!", says Freddy, sadly.
Perfect Sunday afternoon entertainment.
Troon tracks him down through his licence plate number, and turns up at the Chingford home demanding compensation. It is here that he meets and falls for Chingford's lovely daughter Claire ( Julie Christie ). She in turn is attracted to him, nicknaming him 'Wee Willie Walked'.
Desperate to impress her enough to get her to go on a date, Murdoch decides to learn how to drive. His friend and fellow boarder, car salesman Freddy Fox ( Leslie Phillips ) helps him out, but is concealing an ulterior motive. Not having sold a motor car lately, Fox is told by his boss ( Dick Emery ) that he may be sacked unless things change. Fox persuades Murdoch to buy a vintage green Bentley called 'The Fast Lady'. Then his troubles really begin...
This was the second of four 1960's British comedy films featuring Stanley Baxter, James Robertson Justice, and Leslie Phillips. The others were 'Very Important Person' ( 1961 ), 'Crooks Anonymous' ( 1962 ) and 'Father Came Too' ( 1963 ). With the exception of the latter, all were directed by Ken Annakin, who later made 'Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines'.
Baxter plays a naive young man, as he would later do in 'Father Came Too'. He was very good at playing these characters, but is best remembered for those superb L.W.T. shows in which he played dozens. Robertson Justice's 'Charles Chingford' is virtually identical to 'Sir Lancelot Spratt' from the 'Doctor' films. Leslie Phillips is, of course, the debonair lounge-lizard we all know and love. He does not say 'ding dong!' here, but you expect him too.
Julie Christie was a mere three years away from winning a Best Actress Oscar for her performance as model 'Diana Scott' in 'Darling' ( 1965 ). Even here you could tell that she was not just another pretty face. Her scenes with Baxter are charming.
Plenty of car stunts to be found in this film. These sequences were directed by Don Sharp, who later directed the flying scenes for 'Those Magnificent Men'. 'The Fast Lady' itself looks like John Steed's car from 'The Avengers' television series. Maybe it was. The producer - Julian Wintle - was responsible for both.
And what a supporting cast! Eric Barker, Deryck Guyler, Dick Emery, Kathleen Harrison, Allan Cuthbertson, Ann Beach, with cameos from Frankie Howerd, Bernard Cribbins, Fred Emney, and Clive Dunn. Motor racing legend Graham Hill is in one of Troon's day-dreams.
The script was by Jack Davies and Henry Blyth, the writing team behind several Norman Wisdom comedies.
Funniest moment - Troon learning to drive 'The Fast Lady'. Just before he reverses into a disused aircraft hangar, Freddy calls out: "Pretend you are reversing into your own garage!". Murdoch winds up smashing through the back wall. "Just as well you haven't got a garage!", says Freddy, sadly.
Perfect Sunday afternoon entertainment.