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.
 

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Carry On Faces in Different Places: Up Pompeii!

Here we go with a brand new series of blogs looking at some of the cream of British comedy film making from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Although this blog is all about the Carry Ons, believe it or not, there were some other joyous comedy films made away from Peter Rogers Productions. However, given the quality of the actors Peter employed to make his series, it's no wonder that most of them popped up elsewhere.

So far I've looked at the wonderful 1959 crime caper Too Many Crooks , the 1954 domestic comedy starring Dirk Bogarde, For Better For Worse and the big screen spin off Please Sir! 

Today we're going to cover another classic British comedy film, this time from the same year as Please Sir, 1971. The hit big screen version of Frankie Howerd's wonderful BBC comedy series, Up Pompeii! This being the era of the big screen spin off, it was only a matter of time before Up Pompeii made its way to the cinema. 

Who's in it?

The film of course stars the magnificent Frankie Howerd who appears to be in his element throughout. It also stars some truly wonderful British character actors in Michael Hordern, Barbara Murray, Patrick Cargill and Bill Fraser.

Carry On Faces?

We all know Frankie Howerd guest starred in both Carry On Doctor and Up The Jungle as well as the 1969 Carry On Christmas Thames Television special. Up Pompeii also features a cameo from Carry On regular Bernard Bresslaw as Gorgo. Nero is played by Patrick Cargill who had cameo roles in both Carry On Regardless and Carry On Jack. Cargill also wrote the play Ring for Catty with Jack Beale which formed the basis for Carry On Nurse.

Also in Up Pompeii is Carry On Cruising, Twice Round the Daffodils and The Big Job actor Lance Percival; Carry On Matron actress Madeline Smith as Erotica (!) and future Carry On Behind actress Adrienne Posta as Scrubba. Also watch out for blink and you'll miss them appearances from Laraine Humphrys (Girls, Christmas 73 and Dick) and Carol Hawkins (Abroad, Behind, Carry On Laughing). Laraine played Flavia while Carol appeared as Nero's Girl.

What's it about?

Up Pompeii is a 1971 British sex comedy film directed by Bob Kellett  The film was shot at Elstree Film studios, Borehamwood and is based on characters that first appeared in the British television sitcom Up Pompeii.

Lurcio becomes the inadvertent possessor of a scroll bearing all the names of the proposed assassins of Nero. The conspirators need to recover the scroll fast, but it has fallen into the hands of Lurcio's master, Ludicrus Sextus, who mistakenly reads the contents of the scroll to the Senate. Farcical attempts are made to retrieve the scroll before Pompeiii is eventually consumed by the erupting Vesuvius. 

Best Bit?

It has to be Frankie's constant desire to "break the fourth wall" by addressing the audience directly throughout the film. It's a trick he developed in many of his television performances - that gossipy over the garden wall style of humour really suited Frankie and he was the master of it!  

Did you know?

The film was the 10th most popular film at the British box office for 1971. 

It also led to two further Up films, both featuring many of the same faces - Up The Front and Up The Chastity Belt.


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