In the Doghouse – 1961 | 95 mins | Comedy | B&W

Plot Synopsis

Veterinary comedy adapted by Michael Pertwee from Alex Duncan’s bestselling novel It’s a Vet’s Life. This charming but patchy farce stars Leslie Phillips in the lead role, with sterling support provided by Peggy Cummins, Hattie Jacques and James Booth.

Comic tale following the misadventures of a vet who finally qualifies after nearly ten years of training. Jimmy Fox-Upton (Leslie Phillips), sets up practice in a poor neighbourhood of London, but comes into conflict with a ruthless and unscrupulous rival, Bob Skeffington (James Booth), who only wants to get rich by milking the Belgravia owners of pedigree pets. Fox-Upton by contrast, is only dedicated to serving the pets of the truly poor. Fox-Upton’s initial dealings with the public are disappointing; on his opening day all but one of the owners wants their pets putting-down. Romance enters Fox-Upton’s life in the shape of Sally (Peggy Cummins), the pretty owner of an escaped performing chimp he chased through a ladies’ Turkish bath. When Fox-Upton gets duped into aiding Skeffington’s scam of exporting old horses to France for slaughter, he sets about thwarting the operation, aided by Sally and Gudgeon (Hattie Jacques), an RSPCA inspector.