One Foot in the Grave early retiree Victor Meldrew, who after being made redundant from his job as a security guard, finds himself at war with the world and everything in it. Meldrew, cursed with misfortune and always complaining, is married to long-suffering wife Margaret, who is often left exasperated by his many misfortunes. Amongst other witnesses to Victor's wrath are tactless family friend Jean Warboys, and next-door couple Patrick (Victor's nemesis) and Pippa Trench. Patrick often discovers Victor in inexplicably bizarre or compromising situations, leading him to believe that he is insane. The Meldrews' neighbour on the other side, overly cheery charity worker Nick
One Foot in Heaven "They Died with Their Boots On". Raymond Massey was Hartzell Spence's choice to play his father while his mother preferred Fredric March. The studio's decision to cast March was made independently of the family's wishes. The Reverend Norman Vincent Peale was hired as technical advisor on the film. The film which Spence goes to see with Hartzell is William S. Hart's 1917 Western "The Silent Man". At the Hollywood premiere of the film, Hart was a guest of honor. In an uncredited role, Gig Young made one of his earlier on-screen performances as a dog groomer seeking a license. One