Mick and Monmorency

Mick and Montmorency / Jobstoppers

1955 - United Kingdom

Charlie Drake and Jack Edwardes had originally met whilst serving in the RAF but didn't consider teaming up until years later when they both failed the same Windmill Theatre audition. Their disappointment however was soon turned to good fortune when Edwardes was appointed entertainment producer at a holiday camp and promptly booked himself and Drake as the double-act Mick and Montmorency, a clumsy duo set in the Laurel and Hardy mode, with Drake taking most of the pratfalls. During this run producer Michael Westmore spotted them and decided that their brand of comedy was ideal for the BBC children's programme Jigsaw. In 1955 the newly founded Associated Rediffusion company signed them up as the first children's comedy double-act for ITV and they debuted on Independent Television on 30th September for 22 15 minute fun-filled disastrous adventures where they appeared in a variety of jobs from removal men to scientists. 

Mick and Montmorency
Charlie Drake sits on Jack Edwardes' shoulders looking for his golf ball in a publicity shot.

For some reason only the first episode went out as Mick and Montmorency then from episode two the series was called Jobstoppers. But after 34 episodes the title reverted back. The final stand-alone series ran from 1956 - 57 and then became part of another Children's programme, Jolly Good Time. At the end of the second run (May 1958) Drake decided he'd had enough of children's TV and wanted to aim his material at adults and he and Edwardes went their separate ways.

Published on January 4th, 2019. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

The Adventures of Robin Hood

Richard Greene starred as the legendary 12th century outlaw who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. ITV's first adventure series managed to maintain a high standard of writing, employing blacklisted Hollywood writers who wrote under various aliases.

Also released in 1955

Lenny the Lion

Hugely popular children's show that began on BBC in 1956. Terry Hall was one of the first ventriloquists to use an animal rather than a little boy...

Also tagged Childrens Comedy

Brights Boffins

Children's comedy series about a group of scientists who work in a rambling long-forgotten Government establishment called Halfwitt House.

Also tagged Childrens Comedy

Pardon My Genie

When a young shop assistant casually tries to polish an old watering can he releases a genie who is as rusty as the can he lives in; he’s four thousand years old, and his magic doesn’t always work as well as it should.

Also tagged Childrens Comedy

Dixon of Dock Green

George Dixon was a policeman of the old school. A dependable officer who would help old ladies cross the street and whose idea of treating juvenile delinquents was with a 'clip' round the ear. George Dixon was a 'Community Copper' before the term had even been invented.

Also released in 1955

Mr Pastry

An eccentric old man finds that he bumbles through every task he is set.

Also tagged Childrens Comedy