"Actor: Norman Wisdom"

• Man Of The Moment | DVD | (12/11/2001) from £8.13   |  Saving you £1.86 (22.88%)   |  RRP £9.99

  After an uncredited cameo alongside a gallery of comedy stars in As Long As They're Happy (1955), Norman Wisdom's third hit was the appropriately titled Man of the Moment. Indeed, by 1955 Wisdom was firmly established as Britain's favourite movie comedian, his shy, helpful and good-natured "gump" character forever unintentionally causing catastrophe in the great tradition of Charlie Chaplin's "Little Tramp". However, while Chaplin ventured into politics in Modern Times (1936) for satirical purposes, when Norman's minor civil servant here accidentally becomes the UK delegate at a conference in Geneva the emphasis is on farce and pratfalls. The plot sees Norman sticking up for the rights of the fictional kingdom of Tawaki against less-than-honest government interests, while his new-found status brings the attention of the ladies, including the return of his Trouble in Store (1953) costar Lana Morris. Continuing his collaboration with veteran director John Paddy Carstairs, the film is a polished laughter machine that continues to entertain. The following year cinema audiences continued to see Norman go Up In the World, while fans of that other British comedy institution, the Carry On series, will be pleased to spot Charles Hawtrey in a supporting role. --Gary S Dalkin

• On The Beat | DVD | (12/11/2001) from £8.96   |  Saving you £1.03 (11.50%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Having proved himself a war hero in The Square Peg (1958), Norman Pitkin, Norman Wisdom's most famous incarnation of his riotous buffoon character, is here demobbed and, as usual for a Wisdom movie, dreaming of something better. Norman wants to follow in his father's footsteps and become a policeman, but being decidedly on the short side, has to settle for washing police cars. Of course it's not long before Norman is impersonating an officer of the law. As in The Square Peg, Wisdom also plays his nemesis here, the German General Schreiber, as well as the chief suspect in a series of jewel robberies which only Pitkin's chaotic antics can solve. In fact, as if emphasising that On the Beat really is The Square Peg with different uniforms, Terence Alexander, who later found fame as Charlie Hungerford in the long running BBC series Bergerac, also returns, albeit playing a different character. Wisdom film-regular David Lodge, previously seen co-starring in The Bulldog Breed (1960) is also on hand, though otherwise the supporting cast is less stellar than before. Solid if very predictable feel-good entertainment, Wisdom's particular brand of charming anarchy proves again his box-office formula could withstand endless variations. --Gary S Dalkin

• The Square Peg | DVD | (05/11/2001) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  The Square Peg marks a slight departure for Norman Wisdom, being his first comedy to be set, however recently, in the past. He plays one of a pair of council workmen, who while repairing the road outside an army base come to illustrate the oxymoronic nature of the phrase "military intelligence". Finding themselves drafted, the workmen are sent to repair the roads ahead of the Allied advance through war-torn Europe by the sergeant they previously embarrassed. Norman finds himself behind the German lines, joins-up with French Resistance, gets captured then sets out to rescue British prisoners from a German military HQ by impersonating General Schreiber. Of course Wisdom plays Schreiber too, offering the sort of comedy stereotyping which Basil Fawlty in best "Don't mention the war" mode would appreciate. The Square Peg is the film which introduced Norman Wisdom's famous catch-phrase, "Mr. Grimsdale!" for whenever disaster struck. The long suffering Mr Grimsdale is played by Edward Chapman, who would reprise the role in Wisdom's A Stitch in Time (1963) and The Early Bird (1965), as well as playing Mr Philpots in The Bulldog Breed (1960). Hattie Jacques gets to sing a remarkable duet with Wisdom, and a pre-Goldfinger (1964) Honor Blackman provides the love interest.--Gary S. Dalkin

• Follow A Star | DVD | (12/11/2001) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  In The Square Peg Norman Wisdom plays one of a pair of council workmen who, while repairing the road outside an army base, come to illustrate the oxymoronic nature of the phrase "military intelligence". Finding themselves drafted, the workmen are sent to repair the roads ahead of the Allied advance through war-torn Europe by the sergeant they previously embarrassed. Norman finds himself behind the German lines, joins up with French Resistance, gets captured then sets out to rescue British prisoners from a German military HQ by impersonating General Schreiber. Of course Wisdom plays Schreiber too. The Square Peg is the film that introduced Norman Wisdom's famous catch-phrase, "Mr. Grimsdale!". Also here Hattie Jacques gets to sing a remarkable duet with Wisdom, and a pre-Goldfinger Honor Blackman provides the love interest. Following his rising star was just what Norman Wisdom's audience had been doing all through the 1950s and, by 1959, and after six films with director John Paddy Carstairs, it was time for a change. Hence Robert Asher made his directorial debut with Follow a Star. The plot is a comedy version of A Star is Born (1954), with Norman yet again playing a dreaming shop worker, this time aspiring to singing stardom. Vernon Carew (played by Wisdom regular Jerry Desmonde) is the fading singer who schemes to use Wisdom's talent to sustain his own rapidly failing career, while the girl is overlooked starlette June Laverick. Norman is surrounded by a particularly strong supporting cast, with Hattie Jacques returning from The Square Peg (1958), Richard Wattis, John Le Mesurier, Fenella Fielding, Ron Moody and, uncredited, future Bond villain Charles Grey. --Gary S Dalkin

• Norman Wisdom - Man of the Moment | DVD | (21/10/2009) from £6.00   |  Saving you £-1.01 (N/A%)   |  RRP £4.99

  NORMAN WISDOM'S IMMENSE POPULARITY STEMS FROM HIS HILARIOUS PORTRAYAL OF THE LITTLE GUY WHO ALWAYS SEEMS TO WIN OUT IN THE END. THE CLOTH-CAPPED BUMBLER IS ONE OF THE GREAT CREATIONS OF BRITISH COMEDY.

• The Bulldog Breed | DVD | (12/11/2001) from £7.98   |  Saving you £2.01 (20.10%)   |  RRP £9.99

  The Navy's newest recruit is Norman Puckle (Norman Wisdom). He's no ordinary sailor and that's just as well because he soon finds himself lined up for an extraordinary adventure. It is planned that the Navy will put a rocket into orbit and Norman is chosen to man it. Hilarious setbacks and chaos are Norman's constant companions as he undertakes the strenuous tests and training required. Eventually doubts arise as to whether the right person has been chosen but surely the whims of admirals and officers will not be enough to deny Norman his moment of glory!

• Up In The World | DVD | (12/11/2001) from £14.98   |  Saving you £-4.99 (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  In 1956 the title of his latest film, Up in the World accurately described Norman Wisdom's career. This was the great British comedian's fourth hit in as many years, this time finding himself employed as window cleaner to Lady Banderville (Ambrosine Phillpotts). Apart from having hundreds of windows to polish, things would be going fine for Norman if it weren't for the endless practical jokes played by Lady Banderville's son, Sir Reginald (Michael Caridia). However, when the irritating Regie is kidnapped, Norman has the chance to prove himself a hero, and it just might impress Jeannie Andrews too, his beautiful co-star Maureen Swanson, then making a name for herself in A Town Like Alice and The Spanish Gardener (both 1956). By now Norman Wisdom was set on a winning formula, working with much the same team as on his three previous smashes, including Jerry Desmonde as Major Willoughby, who had starred in both Trouble in Store (1953) and Man of the Moment (1955). Later, in Carry On Regardless (1961) Desmonde would make a single appearance with another British comedy institution, and interestingly Ambrosine Phillpotts would be there in the same film. Norman meanwhile, would go on to his good fortune in Just My Luck (1957). --Gary S. Dalkin

• Trouble In Store | DVD | (15/10/2001) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Perhaps surprisingly, the British comedy legend Norman Wisdom has made just 20 films, from his debut in Date With a Dream (1948) to the thriller Double-X (1992). From 1948 on he had his own TV series, Wit and Wisdom, but 1953 was the real turning point. Not only was his son Nicholas born, but he became an instant movie star with the release of Trouble in Store. Playing a character called Norman he brought his familiar stage and television personality to the big screen as a young man with the ambition to become a window dresser in a major department store. Ever loveable victim of his own clumsiness, all Norman's efforts to improve himself result in chaos. That is, until he meets Sally (Lana Morris), the girl of his dreams. Then things turn disastrous. Co-starring Margaret Rutherford, Trouble in Store introduced Wisdom's self-penned song which would become his theme, "Don't laugh at Me ('Cause I'm a Fool)". The film became a massive box-office hit and won Wisdom a BAFTA Award. Very much of its time, yet still highly entertaining, this video release provides the opportunity to nostalgically revisit and reassess one of Britain's greatest stars. Wisdom's follow-up was another substantial hit, One Good Turn (1954). --Gary S. Dalkin

• 60's Icon Jess Conrad-Up Close & Personal | DVD | (25/07/2011) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Sixties icon Jess Conrad brings you this exclusive never before seen DVD Special containing rare footage and up-close and personal interviews. Included on this DVD; Jess Conrad; Britain's Most Eligible Bachelor 1961-Cameras follow Jess behind the scenes of his showbiz life. Jess talks about his rise to fame his career in music theatre film and TV. For the first time ever see Jess's home movies including film from the wedding that shocked his fans. Some of Jess's showbiz friends featured include Dave Dee Mike Sarne Tommy Bruce Leapy Lee Tony Blackburn David Hamilton Tom O'Connor Billie Davis Aimi MacDonald Clem Cattini from The Tornados Kenny Lynch Shirley Ann Field and his good friend Sir Norman Wisdom OBE. A must for any fan.

• One Good Turn | DVD | (03/09/2007) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Norman is an orphan who has stayed on at the orphanage to do odd jobs and ends up doing a lot more. Kind as ever he promises to buy one of the orphans a model car - the only problem now is where to find the cash? Proving his versatility (by being equally bad at every profession) Norman's attemps to earn the money range from a traumatic stint as a sandwichbroad man to a disastrous effort in the boxing ring. Leaving chaos in his wake Norman tackles the world armed with nothing more