Comfort and Joy

1984
PG
1h 46m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

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.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

2.4K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 1 win & 1 nomination total

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
Hilary: Alan, you have not been yourself lately.
Alan: That's just the point. I wasn't myself before when you thought I was myself, but now I am myself, or very nearly.

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 reviews23

Review

Featured review

Ice cream fritters.

Getting involved in a turf war with rival ice cream companies seems to be a good way to get over your kleptomaniac girlfriend dumping you. A decent Forsyth flick that feels comfortable and charming but undoubtedly less engaging than previous works.

That Mr Bunny ice cream jingle will haunt my dreams forever.