Carrying On with Norman - The Early Bird

This is part of a brand new series of blogs looking back at some of my favourite Norman Wisdom films. Although never as fruity or innuendo-laden as the Carry Ons, Sir Norman's films share a similiar feel to many of the early Carry Ons. Indeed they quite often shared the same production base - Pinewood Studios - and Wisdom's films often co-starred some very familiar Carry On faces. 

Norman Wisdom was one of the most bankable British film stars in the 1950s and early 1960s. His stardom lasted long after his peak at the box office too. He appealed to a cross section of society and young and old loved him in equal measure. His cheeky, child-like charm, excellent comic timing and sheer energy catapulted him to fame and he's very clearly one of our most talented comedy stars full stop. 

I've already blogged about the films Trouble in Store from 1953, Just My Luck from 1957, Follow A Star from 1959 and On The Beat from 1962. My most recent blog focussed on A Stitch in Time. We're continuing this series of blogs with a look at another one of Norman's 1960s film hits - The Early Bird from 1965. 

What's it about?

Wisdom's character works for Grimsdale's Dairy as a milkman, in competition with Consolidated Dairies, an ever-growing rival company under the management of Walter Hunter.

Much of the humour centres on classic slapstick comedy, with Norman encountering various comedic escapades. These include being dragged around Mr Hunter's garden by an errant lawnmower and using the fire brigade's high pressure hosepipes to blast firemen off their ladders, after being called to a suspected fire at Consolidated Dairies' HQ.

Who's in it?

Norman is joined by his regular co-stars Jerry Desmonde (playing Hunter) and Edward Chapman in the role of Mr Grimsdale. The film also co-stars John Le Mesurier, Bryan Pringle and Paddie O'Neill.

Carry On faces?

Norman's regular co-star Jerry Desmonde played the cameo role of Martin Paul in Carry On Regardless. Carry On Screaming supporting actor Frank Thornton turns up playing a drunken doctor while Carry On Doctor cameo star Dandy Nichols appears in the brief role as a woman flooded out of her house by milk!

Reliable character actor Harry Locke (who appeared in the first three medical Carry Ons) pops up as a Commissionaire while future Carry On Loving star Imogen Hassall takes on an early film role as Sir Roger's Secretary. Three other Carry On faces appear in small, uncredited roles: Fred Griffiths as a man in a lift, David Lodge as an angry husband and finally, Tony Sagar as a fireman.

Did you know? 

The Early Bird was the first Wisdom comedy to be shot in colour. 

The film was in the top 15 most popular films at the British Box Office in 1966. 
  

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Carrying On with Norman: A Stitch in Time

This is part of a brand new series of blogs looking back at some of my favourite Norman Wisdom films. Although never as fruity or innuendo-laden as the Carry Ons, Sir Norman's films share a similiar feel to many of the early Carry Ons. Indeed they quite often shared the same production base - Pinewood Studios - and Wisdom's films often co-starred some very familiar Carry On faces. 

Norman Wisdom was one of the most bankable British film stars in the 1950s and early 1960s. His stardom lasted long after his peak at the box office too. He appealed to a cross section of society and young and old loved him in equal measure. His cheeky, child-like charm, excellent comic timing and sheer energy catapulted him to fame and he's very clearly one of our most talented comedy stars full stop. 

I've already blogged about the films Trouble in Store from 1953, Just My Luck from 1957, Follow A Star from 1959 and On The Beat from 1962. We're continuing this series of blogs with a look at one of Norman's 1960s film hits - A Stitch in Time from 1963.

What's it about?

Norman Pitkin is the apprentice to Mr Grimsdale an old fashioned butcher. When the store is raided by a young thug, Mr Grimsdale (at Norman's suggestion) puts his gold watch in his mouth for safe keeping. The result of which leads to Mr Grimsdale accidentally swallowing the watch and sent to hospital. Whilst visiting Mr Grimsdale, Norman (in his usual way) accidentally causes chaos around the hospital and meets a girl called Lindy who hasn't spoken since her parents were killed in an aeroplane accident. After Norman is unable to visit Lindy as he is banned from hospital he and Mr. Grimsdale join the St John's Ambulance Brigade which gives him the excuse to visit her, as the usual chaos ensues. In the end Lindy visits him at a charity ball where the St. John Ambulance Brigade Band are performing. The ball descends into the inevitable shambles, caused entirely by Norman. However, Norman redeems himself (and the reputation of the Brigade) as he addresses those attending the ball and everyone donates money for the charity.

Who's in it?

Norman's regular co-stars Edward Chapman (Grimsdale) and Jerry Desmonde (here playing Sir Hector) are joined by his leading lady Jeanette Starke, Glyn Houston, Vera Day and Jill Melford.

Carry On faces?

Future Carry On favourite Patsy Rowlands appears in much of the early part of the film in the eye-catching role of Amy, the assistant in Grimsdale's shop. Also appearing in these scenes is future Carry On and Coronation Street actor Johnny Briggs playing a young thug who holds them up at gun point! 

Watch out also for comedy great Peter Jones who appears as Divisional Officer Russell of the St John's Ambulance Brigade. Peter went on to play cameo roles in both Carry On Doctor and Carry On England. And the future Father, Dear Father star Patrick Cargill also co-stars as Dr Meadows. Patrick appeared briefly in Carry On Regardless and a few years later, in Carry On Jack. And Norman's regular stooge Jerry Desmonde also popped up in Regardless as the lecherous actor Martin Paul. 

There are also several uncredited appearances from Carry On faces including: Wanda Ventham, Cyril Chamberlain, Fred Griffiths, Pat Coombs, Cardew Robinson, Marianne Stone, Julian Orchard and Ronnie Brody. See if you can spot them!

Did you know? 

This was the last film Norman Wisdom made in black and white.

The entire film was shot at Pinewood Studios, with very limited location work. You can spot many very familiar buildings used frequently in the Carry On films.
 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan on Facebook and on Instagram

Carrying On with Norman: Follow A Star

This is part of a brand new series of blogs looking back at some of my favourite Norman Wisdom films. Although never as fruity or innuendo-laden as the Carry Ons, Sir Norman's films share a similiar feel to many of the early Carry Ons. Indeed they quite often shared the same production base - Pinewood Studios - and Wisdom's films often co-starred some very familiar Carry On faces. 

Norman Wisdom was one of the most bankable British film stars in the 1950s and early 1960s. His stardom lasted long after his peak at the box office too. He appealed to a cross section of society and young and old loved him in equal measure. His cheeky, child-like charm, excellent comic timing and sheer energy catapulted him to fame and he's very clearly one of our most talented comedy stars full stop. 

We're continuing this series of blogs with a look at one of Norman's 1950s film hits - Follow A Star from 1959.

What's it about?

Norman Truscott works as a dry cleaner, but dreams of being a stage performer. To this end, he takes elocution and singing lessons with Miss Dobson, so far with little success. He is also in love with Judy, Miss Dobson's colleague, who teaches piano.

Norman goes to the theatre to see singing star Vernon Carew and causes chaos when he tries to join in the performance. But Carew realises that Norman's untrained voice is better that his own voice, which is fading rapidly, as is his popularity. On the pretext of offering Norman singing lessons, he secretly records the former singing, and passes the recordings off as his own. They are a success and Carew is a star again.

Miss Dobson realises what's happened and smuggles herself and Norman backstage during Carew's performance. She sees the record being played with Carew miming to it. She exposes him as a fake, again causing chaos onstage and backstage.

Norman is persuaded to sing on stage and is acclaimed by the audience. But whilst they applaud him, he slips quietly away with Judy.


Who's in it?

Sir Norman Wisdom leads the cast as Norman Truscott and he is ably supported by regular stooge Jerry Desmonde as Vernon Carew. Norman's love interest Judy is played by June Laverick while reliable support comes from the likes of John Le Mesurier and Ron Moody.

Carry On faces?

Several popular Carry On faces join Norman for this enjoyable romp. Grabbing a starring role is the lovely Hattie Jacques as the gloriously named Dymphna Dobson. Hattie's Sykes co-star Richard Wattis joins in the fun as Dr Chatterway and shares some very funny scenes with Wisdom. The wonderful Fenella Fielding turns up in the glamorous role of Lady Finchington and fellow Carry On Regardless cameo co-star Sydney Tafler plays Pendlebury.

It's also worth keeping a look out for some familiar Carry On faces in uncredited roles. Dilys Laye pops up as a lady with a dog in the park while there are also small roles for the likes of Pat Coombs, Michael Ward and Marianne Stone. 

Did you know? 

This was the first film role for future comedy great, the wonderful Dick Emery. Dick appears as a drunken party guest.

Also keep your eyes peeled for Sheree Winton, the actress mother of game show host Dale Winton. Sheree has an uncredited role as a chorus girl. Sheree featured in many productions around this time and went on to work with Sid James in his comedy drama series Taxi!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan on Facebook and on Instagram

Carrying On with Norman: Just My Luck

This is part of a brand new series of blogs looking back at some of my favourite Norman Wisdom films. Although never as fruity or innuendo-laden as the Carry Ons, Sir Norman's films share a similiar feel to many of the early Carry Ons. Indeed they quite often shared the same production base - Pinewood Studios - and Wisdom's films often co-starred some very familiar Carry On faces. 

Norman Wisdom was one of the most bankable British film stars in the 1950s and early 1960s. His stardom lasted long after his peak at the box office too. He appealed to a cross section of society and young and old loved him in equal measure. His cheeky, child-like charm, excellent comic timing and sheer energy catapulted him to fame and he's very clearly one of our most talented comedy stars full stop. 

We're continuing this series of blogs with a look at one of Norman's 1950s film hits - Just My Luck from 1957.

What's it about?


Norman Hackett (Norman Wisdom) is employed in a jeweller's workshop and is innocently preoccupied with dreaming of meeting the window dresser in the shop across the street from his workplace. He wishes to purchase a diamond pendant for her and, after persuasion, gambles a pound on a six-horse accumulator at the Goodwood races. The bookmaker grows concerned when it appears Hackett, after winning on the first five races, could win over £16,000.

 Who's in it?

Another one of Norman's films with an impressive supporting cast, he is joined once again by the glorious Dame Margaret Rutherford playing Mrs Dooley. His regular film sparring partner Edward Chapman also appears, not as Mr Grimsdale this time, but as Mr Stoneway. Just My Luck also co-stars Jill Dixon and Delphi Lawrence.

Carry On faces?

As with the earlier Trouble In Store, Just My Luck features a lovely supporting turn from a pre-Carry On Joan Sims. Joan's film career was gathering momentum by this stage and by the end of the following year she'd had joined the Carry On team as Stella Dawson in Carry On Nurse. Here she plays Phoebe and enjoys an eventful trip to the cinema with our Norman! 

Another glorious Carry On star turning up for fun with Wisdom is the legendary Leslie Phillips as the Hon. Richard Lumb. There are also small supporting roles for early Carry Oners Michael Ward, Cyril Chamberlain and the brilliant Marianne Stone as a Tea Bar Attendant. Of course Marianne appeared in more British films of the era than practically anybody else!

Did you know? 

Regular stooge to Norman Wisdom, the great Jerry Desmonde, appears in an uncredited role as a racegoer in Just My Luck. 

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Remembering Jerry Desmonde

 

Jerry Desmonde is a name you don't hear very often these days. This is perhaps because the heyday of his career was the immediate post-war period and his career subsequently came to a very tragic end. Although his Carry On connection is very slim - a cameo as a rather randy actor in Carry On Regardless - his prominence in post-war British comedy makes his story important. 

Desmonde was a multi-talented performer. During his career he was an actor on film, television and radio. He was a performer on stage in straight and musical theatre. He was a television personality and game show host. He dabbled in a bit of everything and we look back fondly at all round entertainers today as they are so few and far between. Born into a theatrical family in Middlesbrough in 1908, a career on the stage was clearly in his blood. Working in music hall from the age of 11, he had met and married Peggy Duncan and the pair formed a very successful touring double act.  

Jerry's big break came in 1942 when he began a very successful working relationship with legendary comedian Sid Field. This began Jerry's long career as a comedy stooge. Together they appeared in several highly successful stage revues during the Second World War as well as feature films including London Town in 1946. The partnership came to an end when Sid Field suffered a heart attack and died in 1950.

Desmonde's career continued apace, branching out into television with regular roles including Before Your Very Eyes with Arthur Askey and a sitcom called Bud, starring Bud Flanagan and other members of the famous Crazy Gang. Jerry also became a well-known television personality as "himself" featuring as a regular panelist on the game show What's My Line? during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He also hosted shows Hit The Limit and The 64,000 Question for ATV.

Of course to modern day audiences Jerry Desmonde is best remembered for his many roles as straight man to Norman Wisdom in his hugely successful comedy films. Desmonde, together with Edward Chapman (Mr Grimsdale) became a part of Wisdom's regular comedy troupe. Jerry worked with Norman in Trouble In Store (1953 - also featuring a young Joan Sims); Man of the Moment (1955); Up in the World (1956); Just My Luck (1957); Follow A Star (1959 - with Hattie Jacques); A Stitch in Time (1963) and finally The Early Bird (1965). 

Sadly this success wasn't to last. Jerry Desmonde was happily married for three decades and his marriage to Peggy produced a son, Gerald, and a daughter, Jacqueline. This happy family life was rocked in 1966 following the death of Peggy. This was a blow from which Jerry never fully recovered. He became prone to bouts of depression which eventually resulted in him taking his own life in 1967, at the age of just 58.

The role of straight man is often over looked in comedy. However without the reliability and assured performances from the likes of Jerry Desmonde, some of our favourite and most famous comedians would not have flourished as they did. I think it's time to revisit some of Jerry's terrific performances, both with Norman Wisdom and elsewhere.

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also on Facebook