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IMDbPro

Comfort and Joy

  • 19841984
  • PGPG
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
2.2K
YOUR RATING
Bill Paterson in Comfort and Joy (1984)
Comedy
Alan Bird witnesses how an ice cream van is attacked and destroyed by an angry competitor. This leads him into the struggle between two Italian families, the Bernardis and the Rossis, over w... Read allAlan Bird witnesses how an ice cream van is attacked and destroyed by an angry competitor. This leads him into the struggle between two Italian families, the Bernardis and the Rossis, over whose ice cream vans can sell where in Glasgow.Alan Bird witnesses how an ice cream van is attacked and destroyed by an angry competitor. This leads him into the struggle between two Italian families, the Bernardis and the Rossis, over whose ice cream vans can sell where in Glasgow.
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
2.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Bill Forsyth
  • Writer
    • Bill Forsyth
  • Stars
    • Bill Paterson
    • Eleanor David
    • Clare Grogan
  • Director
    • Bill Forsyth
  • Writer
    • Bill Forsyth
  • Stars
    • Bill Paterson
    • Eleanor David
    • Clare Grogan
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 22User reviews
    • 33Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Photos33

    Elizabeth Taylor and Joan Collins at the premiere of "Comfort and Joy"
    Comfort and Joy (1984)
    Comfort and Joy (1984)
    Bill Paterson in Comfort and Joy (1984)
    Alex Norton and Bill Paterson in Comfort and Joy (1984)
    Bill Paterson in Comfort and Joy (1984)
    Patrick Malahide and Bill Paterson in Comfort and Joy (1984)
    Eleanor David and Bill Paterson in Comfort and Joy (1984)
    Bill Paterson in Comfort and Joy (1984)
    Comfort and Joy (1984)
    Bill Paterson in Comfort and Joy (1984)
    Bill Paterson in Comfort and Joy (1984)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Bill Paterson
    Bill Paterson
    • Alan
    Eleanor David
    Eleanor David
    • Maddy
    Clare Grogan
    Clare Grogan
    • Charlotte
    • (as C.P.Grogan)
    Alex Norton
    Alex Norton
    • Trevor
    Patrick Malahide
    Patrick Malahide
    • Colin
    Rikki Fulton
    • Hilary
    Roberto Bernardi
    • Mr. McCool
    George Rossi
    • Bruno
    Peter Rossi
    • Paolo
    Billy McElhaney
    Billy McElhaney
    • Renato
    Gilly Gilchrist
    Gilly Gilchrist
    • Rufus
    Caroline Guthrie
    Caroline Guthrie
    • Gloria
    Ona McCracken
    • Nancy
    Elizabeth Sinclair
    • Fiona
    Katy Black
    • Sarah
    Robin Black
    • Lily
    Ron Donachie
    Ron Donachie
    • George
    Arnold Brown
    Arnold Brown
    • Psychiatrist
    • Director
      • Bill Forsyth
    • Writer
      • Bill Forsyth
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      There was a real "Ice Cream War" in Glasgow in 1984, and it led to murders within the city. It was really a drug-land turf war by gangs who used ice cream vans as a front. Writers Douglas Skelton and Lisa Brownlie cover the story in their 1992 book "Frightener". The deaths of van-driver Andrew Boyle (who had resisted being involved in drug dealing) and his family happened in April 1984, four months before "Comfort and Joy" was released, and as star Bill Paterson acknowledges, this had an impact on the film's reception: "It wasn't a great time to launch a light-hearted look at the ice-cream business in Glasgow."
    • Goofs
      You see Dickie arriving at the radio station at around 6am. The film is set at Christmas time in Glasgow, so at that time of year the sunrise is about 9am. Yet we can see the city skyline through the window and not just a dark view.
    • Quotes

      Alan: [to his kleptomaniac girlfriend] If you've got to steal things, then at least be practical! We needed onions! We did not need more Christmas lights!

    • Crazy credits
      During the end credits, Alan 'Dickie' Bird (Bill Paterson) is heard taping and screwing up a radio commercial.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Special Show: At the Cassette Store, Part 3 (1986)
    • Soundtracks
      Jingle Bells
      (uncredited)

      Written by James Pierpont

    User reviews22

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    What a breath of fresh air!
    I was looking through movie titles with David O'Hara and found this title, then found the video in a second hand store.I was so glad to get my hands on this movie.

    I loved that the plot line was NOT one of those "guy lost girl, guy does everything to get girl back" type of thing. What a breath of fresh air! It was a movie about a "real" person, the whole aspect of his life; his flaws, his character, his relationships with those around him and even his strengths.

    This movie is a feel good movie no matter what the year it was made in, It's a good laugh as well. Hollywood should definitely take a look backward sometime and follow the example of this story line! If you want a good movie that even the kids could watch with you, this is the one!
    helpful•22
    2
    • Auralee29
    • Dec 26, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 10, 1984 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
    • Also known as
      • Das Ice-Cream-Syndikat
    • Filming locations
      • Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, UK
    • Production companies
      • Lake (Comfort and Joy)
      • Thorn EMI Screen Entertainment
      • Scottish Television (STV)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,057,368
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,057,368
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 46 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

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