The Runaway Bus

At the time, for a U.K. cinema release to be classed as a main feature, it had to be at least 75 minutes long. On the last day of filming, with only 30 minutes of studio time left, the crew realized that they only had enough footage and script to stretch to 72 minutes. This would have meant that this movie could only be used as a supporting feature, which would have meant a financial disaster for the backers. Frankie Howerd spotted a phone box prop and, with the clock counting down, improvised on the spot a three-minute scene of him calling his old grandmother. With no time for a run-through, the entire sequence was used unedited in the final movie.

In the actual movie, Mr. Schroeder is continually referred to as Edward as his given name. In the end credits, the character's given name is listed as Ernest.

Featured in The Unforgettable Frankie Howerd (2000)