Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World

Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World is a 1973 British children's fantasy-adventure comedy film starring Jim Dale, and directed by Joseph McGrath.^[2] A large supporting cast of British movie stalwarts includes Spike Milligan, Angela Douglas, Norman Rossington, Milo O'Shea, Dinsdale Landen and Victor Spinetti.^[3] The production included composer Edwin Astley and cinematographer Harry Waxman.^[2] The film was based on the 1960 novel The Biggest Dog in the World by Ted Key.^[4]

Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World
Film poster
Directed by	Joseph McGrath
Written by	Charles Isaacs Ted Key (novel) Michael Pertwee
Produced by	Walter Shenson
Starring	Jim Dale Angela Douglas Spike Milligan
Narrated by	Ted Key
Cinematography	Harry Waxman
Edited by	Jim Connock
Music by	Edwin Astley
Production company	Walter Shenson Films
Distributed by	20th Century-Fox (UK) Cinerama Releasing Corporation (US)
Release date	6 December 1973 (1973-12-06) (UK)[1]
Running time	88 min
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

The film starred Fernville Lord Digby in the title role. Digby was then the reigning Dulux Old English Sheepdog; the company using the breed since 1961 in their advertisements that led to the breed's popularity around the world.^[5]

Plot

Accident-prone Jeff works at a NATO research facility as an animal behaviourist. He steals a tiny amount of Project X, but an Old English Sheepdog accidentally drinks it. X is a liquid growth formula (a form of experimental fertilizer) and Digby expands to gigantic proportions.

Authorities and scientists scramble to find a way to shrink Digby back to normal size before he causes more destruction. Throughout the film, Digby’s innocent nature and comedic antics make him a charming character despite his colossal size, finally at the end the file his is given an antidote to shrink him back to his normal size.

Cast

• Jim Dale - Jeff Eldon
• Angela Douglas - Janine
• Spike Milligan - Dr. Harz
• John Bluthal - Jerry
• Milo O'Shea - Dr. Jameson
• Norman Rossington - Tom
• Richard Beaumont - Billy White
• Dinsdale Landen - Colonel Masters
• Garfield Morgan - Rogerson
• Victor Spinetti - Professor Ribart
• Harry Towb - Ringmaster
• Kenneth J. Warren - General Frank
• Bob Todd - The Great Manzini
• Molly Urquhart - Aunt Ina
• Frank Thornton - Estate Agent
• Victor Maddern - Dog Home Manager
• Sheila Steafel - Control Operator