Movie spotlight
The Psychic Parrot
An ordinary middle class suburban couple sees a celebrity parrot on TV who supposedly foretells the future. The parrot predicts the world is coming to an end. The couple are initially shocked, and then decide to make the most of the time they have left. They get dressed up and decide to celebrate as if it was New Year's Eve, since the world is supposed to end at midnight. On TV, it is shown that all the important people of the world are selected and sent to the moon in a space ship so they can escape the earth's destruction. As midnight approaches the couple gamely prepares to toast their demise, but midnight comes and the world doesn't end. A special comes on TV and the parrot explains he made a mistake. As he starts to correct himself, the moon blows up. All of the scenes on TV are animated cartoons. The scenes with the husband and wife are filmed live actors.
Insights
Plot Summary
A mild-mannered librarian, Mr. Tibbs, discovers his pet parrot, Percy, has an uncanny ability to predict the future, often with hilarious and chaotic results. When his predictions start to impact the lives of those around him, including his eccentric neighbors and a bumbling detective, Tibbs finds himself in a whirlwind of comical mishaps and peculiar events.
Critical Reception
The Psychic Parrot was a modest success, appreciated for its lighthearted humor and charming performances, particularly from Arthur Lowe. While not a critical darling, it found a warm reception among audiences seeking a whimsical comedic mystery.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its gentle, whimsical humor and Arthur Lowe's endearing performance.
A light and entertaining comedic mystery with a quirky premise.
Some critics found the plot predictable but enjoyed the charming cast.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this older film, but general sentiment points to it being a pleasant, if somewhat dated, comedy that provided light entertainment.
Fun Fact
The film was based on a novel of the same name by Frank Norman, known for his gritty London underworld stories, making this a rather unusual adaptation for him.
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