An overlooked gem featuring a career-best performance from Kenneth More (The Galloping Major, We Joined the Navy) The Comedy Man is a bittersweet depiction of the liffe of a struggling actor in Swinging 1960s London. Skilfully directed by Alvin Rakoff (Say Hello to Yesterday, A Voyage Round my Father), this often-forgotten example of the late British New Wave features an outstanding supporting cast including Cecil Parker (The Ladykillers, I was Monty’s Double), Dennis Price (Kind Hearts and Coronets, School For Scoundrels), Edmund Purdom (Pieces, The Parodical) and Billie Whitelaw (The Sleeping Tiger, Payroll).

Fired from his job in repertory theatre after seducing the producer’s wife, Chick Byrd (Kenneth More) moves to London. At 40 years old, he realises this is his last chance to make it as an actor. After moving into digs in London with Julian (Edmund Purdom), a fellow actor, Julian’s career soars after a successful screen test, but Chick’s meets with continued failure. After a tumultuous event, Chick finally gets a break and finds the fame he has always craved, but even with a healthy bank balance, celebrity and settled way of life, Chick needs to finally face the truth.