The Night We Got the Bird [DVD]

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The decision is easy. Achievement difficult. Until Bertie tangles with the law, and Mr. Warre-Monger, J.P., dispatches the parrot to the RSPCA. But there's still no honeymoon prospect for Bertie yet, because Wolfie Green has discovered he's been returned a fake substitute for the antique four-poster he sent in to Cecil for restoration. Furthermore, he's unwittingly sold the fake on - to Mr. Warre-Monger!

Throughout the film, the characters are constantly getting themselves into precarious situations, both comical and absurd. This is particularly true for Captain Ambrose, who is constantly trying to keep his cool and maintain his dignity, even as the chaos around him continues to escalate. His loyal servants are always trying to help, but they only seem to make things worse, leading to a brilliant and hilarious climax that will leave you in stitches. A host of British comedy luminaries – including veteran farceur Sir Brian Rix and, in his last film role, actor and stand-up comedian Ronald Shiner – star in this good-natured comic caper charting the misadventures of a hapless bunch of Brighton-based petty crooks dogged by disaster at every turn. The Night We Got the Bird is presented here in a brand-new transfer from the original film elements in its as-exhibited theatrical aspect ratio.They give Cecil a beautiful send-off. Dignified service, flowers from his friends, weeping from his widow, Julie. At the funeral, she meets Bertie and the pair fall in love. The business prospers honestly, and soon the two are married. At the funeral Bertie meets Julie (Dora Bryan), Cecil's widow. They fall in love, the business prospers honestly, and they marry. It might have been a deliriously happy honeymoon. But a beady-eyed parrot — a wedding gift from a well-wisher — pole-axes Bertie by speaking to him during the reception. In the late Cecil's voice! The actor, who was born in east Yorkshire, first found acting work at the age of 18 with Donald Wolfit's Royal Shakespeare Company while on deferred service from the Royal Air Force. Only a few months later, he played Sebastian in Twelfth Night in the West End. When his military deferment was extended, he gained more regular stage experience with the White Rose Players in Harrogate. After serving in the RAF, he ended up as a volunteer Bevin Boy, working in Doncaster's coal mines.

The film was made at Shepperton Studios, Surrey, England, and on location. A collection of then-and-now location stills and corresponding contemporary photographs is hosted at reelstreets.com. [6] Critical reception [ edit ]When unscrupulous Brighton antiques dealer Cecil Gibson (Ronald Shiner) dies in a road accident, his widow Julie (Dora Bryan) remarries, and her new husband Bertie (Brian Rix) was Cecil's innocent but naive business partner. One of their wedding presents, from an unknown source, is a mouthy South American parrot, which appears to be a reincarnated Cecil whose aim is to make married life difficult for Bertie. As Bertie and Julie go off on their honeymoon, they are chased by a gangster because of a fake antique bed that the late Cecil substituted for the real thing which he then sold for a profit. [5] Cast [ edit ]