Our Miss Fred (1972) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

An actor in wartime France relies on disguise and performance to evade capture and help a group escape.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Performer Under Fire

Fred's acting ability earns him an order to entertain British troops in drag. When the Germans capture his audience, he keeps the disguise to avoid being mistaken for a spy.

Key Events

• Actor in the British Army — English Shakespearean actor Fred serves as an RASC private during the Battle of France. Characters: Fred Wimbush Location: Battle of France
• Ordered to Entertain — Fred's acting skills lead to an order to entertain the troops in drag. Characters: Fred Wimbush Location: British army setting
• Audience Captured — German forces capture Fred's audience while he is still in disguise. Characters: Fred Wimbush Location: Battle of France
• Disguise Becomes Essential — Fred continues wearing women's clothes because he fears being shot as a spy. Characters: Fred Wimbush Location: French countryside
• Threats on the Escape Route — Fred must evade both French locals and German troops. Characters: Fred Wimbush Location: French countryside

Shelter with the School

Fred meets Miss Flodden and Miss Lockhart and joins their group of pupils on the road through France. He must hide his identity even as Miss Flodden voices her hostility toward female impersonators.

Key Events

• Threats on the Escape Route — Fred must evade both French locals and German troops. Characters: Fred Wimbush Location: French countryside
• Meeting the Headmistresses — Fred meets the two school heads, who ask him to fix their car, Agatha. Characters: Fred Wimbush, Miss Flodden, Miss Lockhart Location: Country lane
• Pupils Hidden in a Barn — The headmistresses introduce Fred to their five pupils, who are hiding in a barn. Characters: Fred Wimbush, Miss Flodden, Miss Lockhart Location: Barn
• Flodden Denounces Impersonators — Miss Flodden says she loathes female impersonators and would turn them over to the Germans. Characters: Fred Wimbush, Miss Flodden Location: French countryside
• Teacher Disguise Suggested — Miss Lockhart suggests Fred replace his flamboyant dress with a teacher's outfit. Characters: Fred Wimbush, Miss Lockhart Location: French countryside

The Hidden Airman

The group has been hiding the downed RAF airman, Squadron Leader Smallpiece. Fred reveals himself to Smallpiece and obtains an SS uniform to help disguise him.

Key Events

• Airman Found in Shed — Fred encounters the downed RAF airman whom the schoolgirls have hidden. Characters: Fred Wimbush, Squadron Leader Herbert Smallpiece Location: Shed
• Fred Reveals His Identity — Fred reveals his true identity to Smallpiece. Characters: Fred Wimbush, Squadron Leader Herbert Smallpiece Location: Shed
• SS Uniform Stolen — Fred steals an SS uniform to disguise Smallpiece. Characters: Fred Wimbush, Squadron Leader Herbert Smallpiece Location: French countryside
• Driving Through France — Fred drives with the girls through the countryside while encountering German forces. Characters: Fred Wimbush, Miss Flodden, Miss Lockhart, Squadron Leader Herbert Smallpiece Location: French countryside

Flight from the Airfield

The group attempts to reach a plane by entering an airfield under a false cover, but the attempt fails. They escape by attaching Agatha to a barrage balloon, after which Fred is recruited by the SOE and performs for Germans in drag.

Key Events

• Airfield Deception — The group poses as girls from a local brothel to enter an airfield but fails to catch a plane. Characters: Fred Wimbush, Miss Flodden, Miss Lockhart, Squadron Leader Herbert Smallpiece Location: Airfield
• Balloon Escape — The group attaches Agatha to a barrage balloon and floats away to safety. Characters: Fred Wimbush, Miss Flodden, Miss Lockhart, Squadron Leader Herbert Smallpiece Location: Airfield
• SOE Recruitment — After escaping, Fred is recruited by the Special Operations Executive. Characters: Fred Wimbush Location: Unspecified
• Final Performance for Germans — Back in drag, Fred entertains Germans with a song about Hitler. Characters: Fred Wimbush Location: German audience setting

Story Breakdown

• Fred's Army Performance — Fred's acting skills put him in drag before the threat of German capture turns the costume into a means of survival.
  • RASC Private — Fred serves with the British army during the Battle of France.
  • Ordered Entertainment — He is asked to entertain the troops while dressed as a woman.
• The Disguise Continues — After the Germans capture his audience, Fred keeps his disguise while trying to avoid being shot as a spy.
  • Audience Captured — German forces capture the troops Fred had been entertaining.
  • Spy Anxiety — Fred fears that discovery will lead to his being shot as a spy.
• Meeting the School Group — Fred encounters the headmistresses and their pupils while travelling through France.
  • Country Lane Encounter — Miss Flodden and Miss Lockhart meet Fred and ask him to repair Agatha.
  • Barn Hideout — The school group's five pupils are hiding in a barn.
• A Dangerous Secret — Fred must keep his identity concealed around Miss Flodden, whose stated hostility puts his disguise at risk.
  • Flodden's Warning — Miss Flodden says she loathes female impersonators and would turn them over to the Germans.
  • Teacher's Clothing — Miss Lockhart suggests Fred dress as a teacher to blend in with the pupils.
• Helping Smallpiece Escape — Fred encounters the RAF airman hidden by the schoolgirls and helps conceal him from German forces.
  • Airman in the Shed — Squadron Leader Smallpiece is hidden in a shed.
  • Stolen SS Uniform — Fred reveals his identity to Smallpiece and steals an SS uniform to disguise him.
• Flight Across France — The group travels in Agatha, faces German forces, and attempts to leave by way of an airfield.
  • Airfield Ruse — The group poses as girls from a local brothel but fails to catch a plane.
  • Barrage Balloon — They attach Agatha to a barrage balloon and float to safety.
• Fred's New Assignment — After the escape, Fred's performance and disguise remain part of his wartime story.
  • SOE Recruitment — Fred is recruited by the Special Operations Executive.
  • Final Song — Back in drag, he entertains a group of Germans with a song about Hitler.

Directed by

Bob Kellett

Key Cast

• Danny La Rue — Fred Wimbush
• Alfred Marks — General Brincker
• Lance Percival — Squadron Leader Herbert Smallpiece
• Lally Bowers — Miss Flodden
• Frances de la Tour — Miss Lockhart