Norman Wisdom

Norman Wisdom

Born: February 4, 1915
Died: October 4, 2010
in Marylebone, London, England
​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  

Sir Norman Joseph Wisdom,  OBE  (4 February 1915 – 4 October 2010) was an English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter best known for a series of comedy films produced between 1953 and 1966 featuring his hapless onscreen character Norman Pitkin. These films initially made more money than the James Bond film series,  and secured Wisdom a celebrity status in lands as far apart as South America, Iran and many Eastern Bloc countries, particularly in Albania where his films were permitted by Enver Hoxha – Wisdom was the only Western actor to enjoy this privilege.  Charlie Chaplin famously referred to Wisdom as his "favourite clown". 

Wisdom later forged a career on Broadway and as a television actor, winning critical acclaim for his dramatic role of a dying cancer patient in the television play Going Gently in 1981. It was broadcast on 5 June that year. He toured Australia and South Africa.  After the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, a hospice was named in his honour.  In 1995 he was given the Freedom of the City of London and of Tirana.  The same year he received an OBE.  Wisdom was knighted in 2000 and spent much of his later life on the Isle of Man. Some of his later appearances included roles in Last of the Summer Wine and Coronation Street,  and he retired from acting at the age of 90 after his health declined.

Description above from the Wikipedia article Norman Wisdom,  licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Movies for Norman Wisdom...

The Unforgettable Norman Wisdom
Title: The Unforgettable Norman Wisdom
Character: Himself (archive footage)
Released: November 8, 2011
Type: Movie
Family and friends pay tribute to the funnyman, who was one of Britain's best-loved stars of stage, TV and film for more than 50 years - and also became a cult figure in Albania, where his films were ruled to be acceptable entertainment during the country's long years of isolation during the Cold War. Including contributions by Norman's son Nick, singer Vera Lynn and actress Honor Blackman.
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Norman Wisdom: His Story
Title: Norman Wisdom: His Story
Character: Himself : Archive footage
Released: October 14, 2010
Type: Movie
The life story of Sir Norman Wisdom, who went from street urchin to become one of the UK's most bankable and loved film stars of the 1950-60s. The documentary pays tribute to his life, featuring family, friends and colleagues.
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Norman Wisdom: Trouble On Tour
Title: Norman Wisdom: Trouble On Tour
Character: Self
Released: April 28, 2008
Type: Movie
Norman's not getting much help from his band or straight-laced man Tony Fayne. In fact, it's nothing but Trouble On Tour for Norman. The inspiration for generations of British comics and one of this country's best-loved performers, Norman shows he is not just original - he is still the funniest.
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The Legend of Harrow Woods
Title: The Legend of Harrow Woods
Released: February 12, 2008
Type: Movie
With the aim of investigating the disappearance of horror novelist George Carney, a group of students, encouraged by Gary, enter the forest Harrow Woods where he was last seen two years ago. Uncovering more than they had bargained for, the students soon find themselves in a battle for survival.
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Title: Between The Sheets
Character: Maurice Hardy
Released: November 17, 2003
Type: TV
Between the Sheets is a 2003 British television mini-series. This carnal, comedic drama is based around the love life and sexual hangups of several different couples that are all linked in some way. Emotional, touching, and sometimes humorous, the story follows these couples as they are forced to face their demons.
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Title: The Last Detective
Character: Lofty Brock
Released: February 7, 2003
Type: TV
"Dangerous" Davies always gets the cases no one else wants, and no one notices when he eventually succeeds. But his old-fashioned decency and dogged determination have won him legions of loyal fans.
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Title: It's Only TV But I Like It
Character: Self
Released: June 3, 1999
Type: TV
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Where on Earth Is Katy Manning?
Title: Where on Earth Is Katy Manning?
Released: January 1, 1998
Type: Movie
By her own admission, Katy Manning is ‘as blind as a bat’ and never knows where she’ll end up. When she suddenly arrived in the UK, Katy was probably as surprised as the rest of us! Determined to thank the legion of Doctor Who fans who had written and supported her during her years abroad, Katy embarked on a whirlwind tour of British conventions and shops before leaving (yet again) for Australia… Along the way bump into Nicholas Courtney, Richard Franklin, John Leeson, Sophie Aldred, Sylvester McCoy, Michael Sheard and other surprise guest stars!
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An Audience with Bruce Forsyth
Title: An Audience with Bruce Forsyth
Released: February 1, 1997
Type: Movie
Bruce Forsyth entertains a VIP audience as he stars in a spectacular one-man show.
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Title: Style Challenge
Released: September 2, 1996
Type: TV
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Title: Dalziel & Pascoe
Released: March 16, 1996
Type: TV
British crime drama based on the "Dalziel and Pascoe" series of books by Reginald Hill, set in the fictional Yorkshire town of Wetherton. The unlikely duo of politically incorrect elephant-in-a-china-shop-copper Detective Superintendent Andrew Dalziel (pronounced Dee-ell) and his more sensitive and university educated sidekick Detective Sargent, later Detective Inspector, Peter Pascoe is always on hand to solve the classic murder mystery, while maintaining a down to earth wit and humour.
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Double X: The Name of the Game
Title: Double X: The Name of the Game
Character: Arthur Clutton/Maurice Rigby
Released: June 5, 1992
Type: Movie
Expert safecracker Arthur Clutten masterminds heists for a criminal syndicate he belongs to. But after witnessing the brutal methods of persuasion being meted out by gang leader, Ignatius Smith Clutten decides to quit. But he realizes the gang would sooner see him killed than quitting. After stealing some documents incriminating Smith and his boss, Edward Ross, Clutten then puts his family in hiding and goes on the run...but his daughter has been kidnapped by the gang and a hitman has been hired and is close to finding Clutten.
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Title: Casualty
Character: Mr. Cole
Released: September 6, 1986
Type: TV
Drama series about the staff and patients at Holby City Hospital's emergency department, charting the ups and downs in their personal and professional lives.
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The Golden Gong: The Story of Rank Films - British Cinema's Legendary Studio
Title: The Golden Gong: The Story of Rank Films - British Cinema's Legendary Studio
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 1985
Type: Movie
Documentary - After starting his career producing religious film shorts, J. Arthur Rank went on to become Britain's first and only movie mogul with his establishment of the legendary Pinewood Studios. Narrated by Michael Caine, THE GOLDEN GONG chronicles Pinewood's rise to success. - Richard Attenborough, Dirk Bogarde, Betty E. Box
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Title: Wogan
Character: Self
Released: May 4, 1982
Type: TV
Wogan is a British television chat show
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Title: Bergerac
Character: Vincent
Released: October 18, 1981
Type: TV
Bergerac is a British television show set on Jersey. Produced by the BBC in association with the Seven Network, and first screened on BBC1, it stars John Nettles as the title character Detective Sergeant Jim Bergerac, a detective in Le Bureau des Étrangers, part of the States of Jersey Police.
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Going Gently
Title: Going Gently
Character: Bernard Flood
Released: June 5, 1981
Type: Movie
Play about two elderly cancer patients suffering in hospital.
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Title: An Audience with...
Character: Self
Released: January 8, 1978
Type: TV
An Audience with... is a British entertainment television show produced by London Weekend Television, in which a host, usually a singer or comedian, performs for an invited audience of celebrity guests, interspersed with questions from the audience, in a light hearted revue/tribute style.
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To See Such Fun
Title: To See Such Fun
Released: November 1, 1977
Type: Movie
Compilation of classic British comedy moments
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Title: Playhouse
Released: March 13, 1974
Type: TV
BBC2 Playhouse is a one hour UK anthology television series of one-off contemporary and classic dramas created by Sara Pia Anderson and produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Among its many notable guest stars were Helen Mirren, Daniel Day-Lewis, Judi Dench, Liam Neeson, Paul Scofield, Deborah Kerr, Ben Kingsley, Donald Pleasence, Brenda Blethyn, and Peggy Ashcroft. It premiered in the UK on March 13, 1974 and ran through May 20, 1983.
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Title: Nobody Is Norman Wisdom
Released: June 26, 1973
Type: TV
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Title: Last of the Summer Wine
Character: Billy Ingleton
Released: January 4, 1973
Type: TV
Unencumbered by wives, jobs or any other responsibilities, three senior citizens who've never really grown up explore their world in the Yorkshire Dales. They spend their days speculating about their fellow townsfolk and thinking up adventures not usually favored by the elderly. Last of the Summer Wine premiered as an episode of Comedy Playhouse in 1973. The show ran for 295 episodes until 2010. It is the longest running comedy Britain has produced and the longest running sitcom in the world.
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Title: Last of the Summer Wine
Character: Himself
Released: January 4, 1973
Type: TV
Unencumbered by wives, jobs or any other responsibilities, three senior citizens who've never really grown up explore their world in the Yorkshire Dales. They spend their days speculating about their fellow townsfolk and thinking up adventures not usually favored by the elderly. Last of the Summer Wine premiered as an episode of Comedy Playhouse in 1973. The show ran for 295 episodes until 2010. It is the longest running comedy Britain has produced and the longest running sitcom in the world.
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Title: Last of the Summer Wine
Character: Man Carrying Gnome (uncredited)
Released: January 4, 1973
Type: TV
Unencumbered by wives, jobs or any other responsibilities, three senior citizens who've never really grown up explore their world in the Yorkshire Dales. They spend their days speculating about their fellow townsfolk and thinking up adventures not usually favored by the elderly. Last of the Summer Wine premiered as an episode of Comedy Playhouse in 1973. The show ran for 295 episodes until 2010. It is the longest running comedy Britain has produced and the longest running sitcom in the world.
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Title: Norman
Released: April 2, 1970
Type: TV
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What's Good for the Goose
Title: What's Good for the Goose
Character: Timothy Bartlett
Released: March 21, 1969
Type: Movie
Timothy Bartlett (Norman Wisdom) is a middle-aged banker who is sent to a seaside resort for a banker's convention. He fears the meetings will be frightfully dull, but things change when two amorous hippie girls take Timothy for a sail on the sea of love. Timothy goes middle-aged crazy, making a spectacle of himself in hippie clothes as he tries to fit into the swinging scene. Nude dips in the ocean are followed and preceded by wild parties as he tries to recapture the days of his flaming youth. After he feels remorse and embarrassment over his behavior, he calls on his wife to join him at the convention to rekindle their love in this lowbrow comedy. The British rock group The Pretty Things provides the music.
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The Night They Raided Minsky's
Title: The Night They Raided Minsky's
Character: Chick Williams
Released: December 22, 1968
Type: Movie
Rachel arrives in New York from her Amish community intent on becoming a dancer. Unfortunately Billy Minsky's Burlesque is hardly the place for her Dances From The Bible. But the show's comedian Raymond sees a way of wrong-footing the local do-gooders by announcing the new Paris sensation "Mme Fifi" and putting on Rachel's performance as the place is raided. All too complicated, the more so since her father is scouring the town for her and both Raymond and his straight-man Chick are falling for Rachel.
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Androcles and the Lion
Title: Androcles and the Lion
Character: Androcles
Released: November 15, 1967
Type: Movie
The story of Androcles, the simple-hearted Christian tailor whose friendship with a lion saves himself and his friends from martyrdom in the Roman Colosseum.
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The Sandwich Man
Title: The Sandwich Man
Character: Boxing Vicar
Released: July 1, 1966
Type: Movie
A man with a sandwich-board (advert) wanders around London meeting many strange characters.
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Press for Time
Title: Press for Time
Character: Norman Sheilds
Released: January 1, 1966
Type: Movie
Norman is quite happy selling newspapers outside Westminster station but his Grandfather (the Prime Minister) wants to get him "a more responsible job". A few favours are called in and Norman becomes the newest reporter at the seaside town of Tinmouth. After causing chaos at a local council meeting and causing the demolition of a new house he tries to organise a beauty pageant. A slapstick tale of corruption in high and low places
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The Early Bird
Title: The Early Bird
Character: Norman Pitkin
Released: November 30, 1965
Type: Movie
Norman Pitkin is the assistant helping to run a small, old fashioned dairy which is threatened by a larger, modern organisation. Pitkin does his best to save the dairy (and his horse) and the usual chaos ensues
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A Stitch in Time
Title: A Stitch in Time
Character: Norman Pitkin
Released: December 1, 1963
Type: Movie
An accident in the butchers shop leads Norman Pitkin and Mr Grimsdale to the hospital where, after causing the normal ammount of chaos, Pitkin finds Lindy, a little girl who hasn't spoken or smiled since her parents were killed in an aeroplane accident. Pitkin decides to help.
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On the Beat
Title: On the Beat
Character: Norman Pitkin
Released: December 11, 1962
Type: Movie
Norman Pitkin wants to be a policeman like his father was, but he fails the height test (amongst others). One day he gets out his father's old uniform and "walks the beat". This leads to a level of chaos that only Pitkin could cause
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Title: The Merv Griffin Show
Character: Self
Released: October 1, 1962
Type: TV
The Merv Griffin Show is an American television talk show, starring Merv Griffin. The series ran from October 1, 1962 to March 29, 1963 on NBC, September 20, 1965 to August 15, 1969 in first-run syndication, from August 18, 1969 to February 11, 1972 at 11:30 PM ET weeknights on CBS and again in first-run syndication from February 14, 1972 to September 5, 1986.
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The Girl on the Boat
Title: The Girl on the Boat
Character: Sam Marlowe
Released: August 5, 1962
Type: Movie
Norman Wisdom does to P.G. Wodehouse in Girl on the Boat what Jerry Lewis did to Gore Vidal in Visit to a Small Planet. The zany Wisdom, put in charge of his aunt's cottage during an English summer in the roaring twenties, decides to invite several of his friends to his posh new digs. Among the invitees is the title character, played by the delightful comedienne Millicent Martin. All sorts of slapstick chaos ensues, but Wisdom manages to save the day before things get hopelessly out of hand. Like Jerry Lewis, Norman Wisdom is an acquired taste, but he's worth sampling at least once. ...The Girl on the Boat
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The Bulldog Breed
Title: The Bulldog Breed
Character: Norman
Released: December 13, 1960
Type: Movie
Norman Puckle, a well-meaning but clumsy grocer's assistant, can't seem to do anything right. After being rejected by Marlene, the love of his life, he attempts suicide, but can't even do that. He is saved from jumping off a cliff at 'Lover's Leap' by a Royal Navy petty officer. He persuades Puckle to join the Royal Navy, where he'll meet 'lots of girls'. Life in the Navy proves not to be as rosy as it's been described, and Puckle fails at every task during basic training. But despite this, he's regarded by the Admiral in charge of a rocket project to be a 'typical average British sailor', and chosen to be the first man to fly into outer space in an experimental rocket.
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There Was a Crooked Man
Title: There Was a Crooked Man
Character: Davy Cooper
Released: August 31, 1960
Type: Movie
When a law-abiding demolition expert is duped by a gang of criminals into helping them he is caught and jailed. When he is released he goes straight and then notices a leading citizen in his town is cheating his neighbours.
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Follow a Star
Title: Follow a Star
Character: Norman Truscott
Released: January 1, 1959
Type: Movie
Norman Truscott is a store worker who dreams of stardom. Vernon Carew is a singer whose star is fading. Vernon manages to get a recording of Norman singing and passes it off as himself.
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The Square Peg
Title: The Square Peg
Character: Norman Pitkin / General Schreiber
Released: December 4, 1958
Type: Movie
Norman Pitkin and Mr Grimsdale are council workmen mending the road outside an Army base when they come into conflict with the military. Shortly afterwards, they get drafted and fall into the clutches of the Sergeant they have just bested. They are sent to France to repair roads in front of the Allied advance but get captured. Pitkin takes advantage of a useful similarity to impersonate General Schreiber and manages to return a hero
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Just My Luck
Title: Just My Luck
Character: Norman Hackett
Released: November 14, 1957
Type: Movie
Norman works in a jewellers workshop and fantasises (in the nicest way) about meeting the window dresser across the road from his workshop. He wants to buy her a diamond pendant but calculates it will take him over 100 years to save up for it. He is talked into betting a pound on a six horse accumulator at the Goodwood races with a slightly shady bookmaker. When he has won on the first five races, the bookie owes him over 16,000 pounds and everyone begins to worry. Everyone's future depends on a single race ... what can be done ?
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Up in the World
Title: Up in the World
Character: Norman
Released: December 6, 1956
Type: Movie
Norman is a window cleaner who has to clean a manor house with hundreds of windows. He is distracted by the son of the house who persuades him to go into town. When some villains try and kidnap the young heir Norman fights them off but the heir has banged his head and can't remember Norman's heroic stand
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Title: Tony Awards
Character: Self - Nominee / Performer
Released: April 1, 1956
Type: TV
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway productions and performances, and an award is given for regional theatre.
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Title: This Is Your Life
Released: July 29, 1955
Type: TV
This is Your Life is a British biographical television documentary, based on the 1952 American show of the same name. It was hosted by Eamonn Andrews from 1955 until 1964, and then from 1969 until his death in 1987 aged 64. Michael Aspel then took up the role of host until the show ended in 2003. It returned in 2007 as a one-off special presented by Trevor McDonald, which to date was its most recent airing. In the show the host surprises a special guest, before taking them through their life with the assistance of the 'big red book'. Both celebrities and non-celebrities have been 'victims' of the show. The show was originally broadcast live, and over its run it has alternated between being broadcast on the BBC and on ITV.
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As Long as They're Happy
Title: As Long as They're Happy
Character: Norman
Released: March 15, 1955
Type: Movie
The suburban peace of the Bentley household is shattered when John Bentley is informed by his wife Stella that their two married daughters, Pat and Corrine are in trouble and need funds to come home and bring their husbands, Peter, a penniless Parisian artist and Barnaby, a Texas cowboy, with them. And the youngest daughter, Gwen, has tricked an American singer, Bobby Denver, into visiting them on the pretext that it is the home of a noted British film magnate. When all the women in the household --- including the maid --- fall for the singer's charms, Bentley consults a crackpot psychiatrist, Dr. Schneider, who almost succeeds in ousting, not the singer, but Bentley's wife, with his advice to Bentley to make her jealous by living it up with Pearl, a showgirl recruited for the purpose.
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One Good Turn
Title: One Good Turn
Character: Norman
Released: January 4, 1955
Type: Movie
Norman is the oldest orphan at Greenwood Children's Home and now acts as their caretaker. All the orphans are very happy and well cared for. The adventures start when a nasty property developer (boo hiss) who is also the chairman of the orphanage board wants to close the orphanage and build a factory on the site. The children are sent to Brighton for the day and Norman is very excited because he's "Never seen the Sea". When they get back they discover the plan to close the orphanage and have to decide what to do
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Man of the Moment
Title: Man of the Moment
Character: Norman
Released: January 1, 1955
Type: Movie
Norman is a file clerk who accidentally becomes a British delegate to a diplomatic conference, befriends the queen of a remote island, and winds up a knight. Norman leaves rooms in shambles, tailors in shreds, and diplomats in bandages. Chased by gunmen and assassins of foreign powers, Norman finds himself running through active TV studio sets and interrupts various programs and performances in progress
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Trouble in Store
Title: Trouble in Store
Character: Norman
Released: December 14, 1953
Type: Movie
Norman is working in the stock room of a large London department store, but he has ambition (doesn't he always !!), he wants to be a window dresser making up the public displays. Whilst trying to fulfill his ambition, he falls in love (doesn't he always !!), with one of the shopgirls. Together they discover a plot to rob the store and, somehow, manage to foil the robbers.
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Date With a Dream
Title: Date With a Dream
Character: Shadow Boxer
Released: November 1, 1948
Type: Movie
Four war-time performers known for their concert parties, have a reunion. They decide they are still good together and form a successful nightclub act.