An Alligator Named Daisy

An Alligator Named Daisy

Year: 1955

Runtime: 85 mins

Language: English

Director: J. Lee Thompson

ComedyRomance

After a cricket match in Ireland, Peter Weston is handed an abandoned pet alligator by a fellow traveller. Though initially terrified and intent on discarding the creature, he becomes entangled with Moira, a young Irishwoman whose life seems linked to the reptile. Peter soon learns that alligator Daisy is the key to winning Moira’s affection.

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Timeline & Setting – An Alligator Named Daisy (1955)

Explore the full timeline and setting of An Alligator Named Daisy (1955). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1950s

The story is situated in a contemporary 1950s Britain, where post-war manners, consumer culture, and media-savvy society frame everyday life. Romantic entanglements and social expectations drive the plot as ordinary people cope with an outrageous pet.

Location

Ireland, London, Regent's Park, Country house

The action unfolds from a cricket match in Ireland to urban London. Key events take place around Regent's Park and at a country house where a large party showcases social comedy and chaos. The settings blend domestic life with public spectacle, reflecting mid-century Britain.

🇮🇪 Ireland 🏙️ London 🗺️ Regent's Park 🏰 Country house

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:25

Main Characters – An Alligator Named Daisy (1955)

Meet the key characters of An Alligator Named Daisy (1955), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Peter Weston (Donald Sinden)

An Englishman returning from Ireland, Peter is practical and reserved, initially determined to dump the unexpected alligator. His priorities shift as he develops feelings for Moira and must navigate Daisy's chaos. He endures job loss and relationship tension, ultimately choosing love over social stability.

💑 Romance 😂 Comedy 🧭 Misunderstanding

Vanessa Colebrook (Diana Dors)

Vanessa is Peter's fiancée who initially resents the disruption caused by Daisy. As the farce unfolds, she reassesses her feelings and participates in the amicable breakup, revealing both warmth and frustration in equal measure.

💍 Engagement 🗣️ Social life 😂 Comedy

Moira O'Shannon (Jeannie Carson)

Moira is a spirited Irish woman who bonds with Peter over Daisy. She arrives with Albert and her alligator Nelson, and their relationship evolves as the truth about Albert's ties to her family is revealed.

💚 Romance 🧭 Travel 🥂 Celebration

Albert O'Shannon (Stephen Boyd)

Moira's initially presented fiancé, later revealed to be her brother. He embodies the comic farce of mistaken relationships and ends up sharing in the unfolding marriage twist.

💍 Sibling twist 🕺 Comedy 😂 Farce

Daisy

A remarkably tame alligator whose presence triggers the central chaos. Daisy moves from nuisance to catalyst, influencing the arc of nearly every key decision.

🐊 Animal 🐾 Pet 😂 Comedy

Nelson

The male alligator belonging to Moira, part of the menagerie at the beauty contest. Nelson is the counterpart to Daisy and participates in the culminating chaos.

🐊 Animal 👫 Rivalry

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:25

Major Themes – An Alligator Named Daisy (1955)

Explore the central themes of An Alligator Named Daisy (1955), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💘 Love

Love drives the plot as Weston navigates a breakup with Vanessa and grows closer to Moira. The alligator Daisy acts as a catalyst that exposes true feelings beneath social polish. The comedy allows characters to reconsider what they want from relationships, not just what is expected. The ending cements a new romance between Weston and Moira.

🐊 Animal Catalyst

Daisy the alligator becomes the fulcrum of chaos, testing loyalties, jobs, and engagements. Her tame presentation contrasts with the uproar she causes at parties and rallies. The animal disrupts appearances and social rituals, revealing characters' genuine priorities. The farce centers on how a pet can upend conventional life.

📰 Public Opinion

Moira's fiancé's reveal and the press-backed push for alligators parody media manipulation and crowd mentality. Vanessa's father uses his newspaper to mold public sentiment, turning a fashion into a political spectacle. The satire critiques how society adopts trends to shape personal reputations. The consequences show that public opinion can be as unpredictable as romance.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:25

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An Alligator Named Daisy Summary

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An Alligator Named Daisy Summary

An Alligator Named Daisy Timeline

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An Alligator Named Daisy Timeline

More About An Alligator Named Daisy

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