Comedy Cult Classic

A millionaire’s son, a staged seduction, and a parade of English eccentrics complicate the path to responsibility.

THE CHERRY PICKER

1974 · 1h 32m · NR · Comedy / Drama · IMDB TMDB

To the disappointment of his father, an ambassador’s son would rather live a life free from responsibility and work.

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Quick Answer

What is The Cherry Picker about?

The Cherry Picker is a 1974 United Kingdom comedy-drama film directed by Peter Curran about a millionaire's son whose father hires a woman to lure him away from a carefree lifestyle and into the world of work.

Programmer's Pick

With its cast stacked with British comedy legends and a premise that pits a reluctant rich kid against the schemes of his own father, The Cherry Picker offers a sly look at generational clashes and the perils of meddling in bohemian bliss. Lulu’s turn as an undercover reformer and the string of comic oddballs keep this one bouncing between satire and farce.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

James Burn III, the wayward son of a wealthy ambassador, is determined to avoid the trappings of work and responsibility, preferring the company of his free-spirited friends in a mass sleep-in outside Windsor Castle. His exasperated father, determined to set his son straight, enlists the help of Nancy, who is tasked with drawing James out of his bohemian bubble and into a more conventional life. As Nancy introduces James to her own eccentric father and an ensemble of peculiar English characters, the plan to reform James grows complicated. The film sets up a playful collision between the era’s counterculture and traditional expectations, all portrayed by a cast of renowned comic actors.

Details & Specs

Director: Peter Curran
Writers: Peter Curran, Mickey Phillips
Release: 1974
Runtime: 1h 32m
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
Genres: Comedy, Drama

Why This Matters

This lost British comedy-drama features a notable ensemble cast, including Lulu, Spike Milligan, and Terry-Thomas, and adapts Mickey Phillips' 1968 novel 'Pick Up Sticks' under the direction of Peter Curran.

— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Peter Curran Writers: Peter Curran +1 more

Lulu Nancy BS Bob Sherman James Burn III

Wilfrid Hyde-White Dobson

Spike Milligan Mr. Lal

Patrick Cargill Dr. Harrison

Fiona Curzon Maureen

Jack Hulbert Sir Hugh Fawcett

Terry-Thomas Appleby

Bruce Boa Dr. Softman

Robert Hutton James Burn II

Henry McGee Pilkington EB Eunice Black PM Priscilla Morgan Mrs. Trulove AB Arthur Blake Dan Haydock BW Barry Wilsher Vicar

Marianne Stone Mrs. Lal

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Based On Novel

Why Cult

British Comic Ensemble

The film features a parade of well-known comic actors including Spike Milligan, Terry-Thomas, and Wilfrid Hyde-White, each bringing a distinctive eccentricity.

Counterculture vs. Convention

At its core, the story explores the clash between carefree youth and the demands of tradition and work, set against 1970s British society.

Lulu in a Lead Role

Pop icon Lulu takes on the role of Nancy, tasked with reforming James and navigating her own feelings along the way.

Eccentric Family Dynamics

The film brings together clashing father-son relationships and a roster of quirky English relatives, fueling both the comedy and the drama.