The Comedy Man

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The Comedy Man is a 1964 British drama directed by Alvin Rakoff, with a screenplay by Peter Yeldham based on a novel by Douglas Hayes. It stars Kenneth More along with Cecil Parker, Dennis Price and Billie Whitelaw. The story follows a struggling actor in Swinging London as he tries to make it in show business.

Chick Byrd, after losing his provincial acting job, moves to London with another actor, Julian. Julian quickly finds success after a screen test, while Chick continues to fail. After a friend, Jack Lavery, commits suicide, Chick learns from Jack’s widow that Jack had been offered work by an agent. Chick takes Jack’s TV commercial job and, to his surprise, finds fame through a breath-mint commercial and a deal for more ads. For the first time he feels confident about his talent, but he worries he may have sold out and eventually returns to repertory theatre.

More later said he was drawn to the role because of its relevance to his own life, and he even financed part of the film. He did not get along with producer Hal Chester, who he felt cut important scenes. During filming, More had an affair with Angela Douglas, who plays his girlfriend in the movie; he later married her. Filming took place in early 1963, and the movie had limited distribution, often shown on a double bill with Lord of the Flies.

Critical reception was mixed. Some reviewers praised the performances and its honest look at the pressures on actors, while others thought the script and tone wandered between comedy and tragedy. The television commercials were frequently highlighted as a strong point, and many noted the film as a modest British production with a talented cast.