Trouble in Store
| Trouble in Store | |
|---|---|
Ted Willis Jill Craigie | |
| Produced by | Maurice Cowan Earl St. John |
| Starring | Norman Wisdom Moira Lister Margaret Rutherford |
| Cinematography | Ernest Steward |
| Edited by | Geoffrey Foot Peter Seabourne |
| Music by | Mischa Spoliansky |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | General Film Distributors Republic Pictures (US) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 85 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £125,000[1] |
Trouble in Store is a 1953 British
Plot
Norman, a lowly stock clerk at Burridge's department store, is in love with fellow employee Sally Wilson, though he has been unable to muster the courage to let her know how he feels. After he antagonizes Augustus Freeman, the new head of the store, he is promptly fired. On his way out, Norman helps Miss Bacon carry her bulging suitcases, unaware that she is an audacious
Meanwhile, Peggy Drew, the store's personnel manager, flirts with Mr. Freeman, while plotting with her boyfriend Gerald to rob the place. Norman is fired and rehired again and again, as his escapades somehow manage to benefit the store. He also finally becomes acquainted with Sally, chasing her down through the city streets to return her handbag. His antics make her laugh.
After his latest firing, Norman is alarmed to find the handsome, suave Gerald trying to get to know Sally better. When he goes to the man's apartment to warn him to stay away from her, Norman inadvertently uncovers the robbery plot, scheduled to coincide with a big sale the next day, but he is unable to get Sally or anyone else to take him seriously.
Sally eventually decides to bring Norman's story to the attention of the management, but tells the wrong person, Miss Drew, and is tied up for her efforts. Norman finds her and together, they foil the thieves. Freeman takes Norman back into his employ...but not for long.
Cast
- Norman Wisdom as Norman
- Lana Morris as Sally Wilson
- Moira Lister as Peggy Drew
- Jerry Desmonde as Augustus Freeman
- Derek Bond as Gerald
- Margaret Rutherford as Miss Bacon the shoplifter
- Megs Jenkins as Miss Gibson, Norman's loyal friend in the stockroom
- Michael Brennan as Davis
- Michael Ward as Wilbur
- Joan Sims as Edna
- Eddie Leslie as Bill
- Joan Ingram as Miss Denby
- Cyril Chamberlain as Alf
- Ronan O'Casey as Eddie
- Roddy Hughes as Taffy
- Graham Tonbridge as Mr. Graham - Department Head
- Esma Cannon as Woman at cafe
Production
Reception
The Daily Mirror reviewer wrote, "If you don't laugh at Norman's antics as the downtrodden worker in a big store, trying to get promotion as a window dresser, there is something wrong with your sense of fun".[5]
The film was the second most popular at the British box office in 1954.[6][7]
References
- ^ Geoffrey Macnab, J. Arthur Rank and the British Film Industry, London, Routledge, 1993, p. 222
- ^ Pratt, Vic (2003–14). "Trouble In Store (1953)". Screenonline. BFI. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ Wisdom, Norman (1992). Don't laugh at me : an autobiography. pp. 142–144.
- ^ Tom Vallance Obituary:Jill Craigie, The Independent, 15 December 1999
- ISBN 978-1-4088-0083-6
- ^ "JOHN WAYNE HEADS BOX-OFFICE POLL". The Mercury. Hobart, Tasmania. 31 December 1954. p. 6. Retrieved 24 April 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Thumim, Janet. "The popular cash and culture in the postwar British cinema industry". Screen. Vol. 32, no. 3. p. 259.
External links
- Trouble in Store at the TCM Movie Database
- Trouble in Store at IMDb
- Review of film at Variety
