Big Kids movie night
Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World
The story
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. A large supporting cast of British movie stalwarts includes Spike Milligan, Angela Douglas, Norman Rossington, Milo O'Shea, Dinsdale Landen and Victor Spinetti. The production included composer Edwin Astley and cinematographer Harry Waxman. The film was based on the 1960 novel The Biggest Dog in the World by Ted Key.
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.
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, and then at the end the film, he is given an antidote to shrink him back to his normal size.
Cast
Jim Dale as Jeff Eldon
Angela Douglas as Janine
Spike Milligan as Dr. Harz
John Bluthal as Jerry
Milo O'Shea as Dr. Jameson
Norman Rossington as Tom
Richard Beaumont as Billy White
Dinsdale Landen as Colonel Masters
Garfield Morgan as Rogerson
Victor Spinetti as Professor Ribart
Harry Towb as Ringmaster
Kenneth J. Warren as General Frank
Bob Todd as The Great Manzini
Molly Urquhart as Aunt Ina
Frank Thornton as Estate Agent
Victor Maddern as Dog Home Manager
Sheila Steafel as Control Operator