Press For Time

This Norman Wisdom comedy film from 1966 is not his best, but does include a lengthy chase sequence featuring former Bournemouth Leyland TD5 FEL 214. Norman (as Norman Shields) is banished to the seaside town of Tinmouth (actually Teignmouth, in Devon) by his grandfather, the Prime Minister (also played by Norman Wisdom) to train as a local newspaper reporter. In this particular part, Norman thinks that his bicycle has been stolen, and commandeers a bus to pursue the thief. The chase begins through the town, the filming watched by many holidaymakers en route and at one point, the bus manages to overtake the bike. The poor old open-topper ends up in the sea, and of course when Norman does catch up with the man, it turns out to be the wrong bike! The bus was apparently hired for the film, with the conductor being played by actor Gordon Rollings. The stony-faced driver is uncredited, as is one Helen Mirren, who briefly appears in her first film role later on. FEL 214 seems not to have survived, although sister vehicle FEL 215 has been preserved.