The Comic


12:50 am - 02:45 am, Wednesday, April 15 on Talking Pictures TV (82)

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About this Broadcast

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A comedy actor rises to fame in the silent movie age, before sabotaging his life and career through womanising and drink. Comedy drama, starring Dick Van Dyke and Michele Lee


1969 subtitles
Comedy General Movie/Drama

Cast & Crew

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Dick Van Dyke (Actor) .. William Simon/Billy Bright
Michele Lee (Actor) .. Mary Gibson
Mickey Rooney (Actor) .. Martin `Cockeye" Van Buren
Carl Reiner (Director)

More Information

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Did You Know..

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Dick Van Dyke (Actor) .. William Simon/Billy Bright
Born: December 13, 1925 in West Plains, Missouri
Best Known For: Mary Poppins.
Early-life: Richard Wayne Van Dyke was born on December 13, 1925, in West Plains, Missouri, but was raised in Danville, Illinois. He became interested in show business at an early age after watching Laurel and Hardy movies at his local cinema. Stan Laurel was his hero, and they later became friends. He acted in amateur productions in his teens but, after entering the US Air Force during the Second World War, he ditched plans to become a performer, toyed with the idea of being a minister, then set up an advertising agency.
Career: After his business failed, Van Dyke was a radio announcer for a local station and performed comedy routines. His popularity led to him being signed by CBS. After making his TV acting debut in The Phil Silvers Show, he hosted several long-forgotten game shows before hitting the big time with Broadway hits The Girls Against the Boys and Bye Bye Birdie. That led to The Dick Van Dyke Show, which was a smash hit and ran for five years. Among his other famous projects are Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Van Dyke and Company, and Diagnosis Murder. He continues to act.
Quote: 'I never wanted to be an actor and to this day I don't. I can't get a handle on it. An actor wants to become someone else. I am a song-and-dance man and I enjoy being myself, which is all I can do.'
Trivia: He overcame alcoholism in the 1970s and was a heavy smoker for 50 years.
Michele Lee (Actor) .. Mary Gibson
Mickey Rooney (Actor) .. Martin `Cockeye" Van Buren
Born: September 23, 1920 in New York
Best Known For: Being a Hollywood survivor.
Early-life: According to Hollywood legend, Rooney first began performing when he was 17 months old at the Chicago theatre where his parents worked. Born Joseph Yule Jr on September 23, 1920, in Brooklyn, New York, his parents were both vaudeville performers - chorus girl Nell Carter and comic Joe Yule Sr. They divorced when Rooney was three, and his acting career began when he was cast in a series of films as 'Mickey McGuire', aged six. His mother invented the stage name Mickey Rooney after an unsuccessful attempt to change it to Mickey McGuire.
Career: Rooney starred as Mickey McGuire between 1927 and 1934, then began appearing in full-length films. He signed to the studio MGM, where he was partnered with Judy Garland for several pictures. He found fame as the character Andy Hardy, playing the role in 18 films until 1946, and made a big-screen name for himself aged 18 when he starred opposite Spencer Tracy in 1938's Boys Town. After working on military radio during the Second World War, Rooney found his career had stalled and he moved into TV and radio work. He created a successful stage show with his wife Jan, and was still working into his nineties. The films made in the twilight of his career included Night at the Museum, The Yesterday Pool and Driving Me Crazy. He made his British pantomime debut in 2007 when he played Baron Hardup in Cinderella. He reprised the role in 2009. Although he never really regained star status, his diligence and longevity earned him several honorary awards and other recognition. He died in Los Angeles on April 6, 2014 at the age of 93.
Quote: 'Always get married early in the morning. That way, if it doesn't work out you haven't wasted a whole day.'
Trivia: He won two honorary Academy Awards, was nominated for a further four, and won two Golden Globes and an Emmy Award.
Carl Reiner (Director)