Norman Wisdom | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Wisdom in 1965 | |
| Born | Norman Joseph Wisdom[1] (1915-02-04)4 February 1915 Marylebone, London, England |
| Died | 4 October 2010(2010-10-04) (aged 95) |
| Resting place | Kirk Bride Churchyard,Bride, Isle of Man |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 3, includingNicholas Wisdom |
| Comedy career | |
| Years active | 1946–2008 |
| Medium |
|
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch | Merchant Navy British Army |
| Years of service | 1930–1946 |
| Unit | 10th Royal Hussars Royal Corps of Signals |
| Battles / wars | Second World War |
Sir Norman Joseph Wisdom,[1]OBE[2] (4 February 1915 – 4 October 2010) was an English actor, comedian, musician, and singer best known for his series of comedy films produced between 1953 and 1966, in which he portrayed the endearingly inept character Norman Pitkin.[3] He rose to prominence with his first leading film role inTrouble in Store (1953), which earned him theBAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles.
Wisdom’s appeal extended far beyond the UK, gaining popularity in areas as diverse as South America,Iran, and many nations within the formerEastern Bloc. He enjoyed particular fame inAlbania, where, during the dictatorship ofEnver Hoxha, his films were among the few Western productions allowed to be shown.[4] He was once described byCharlie Chaplin as his "favourite clown".[5]
In later years, Wisdom broadened his career to include stage and television. He performed onBroadway in New York City alongside stars such asMandy Patinkin, and won critical acclaim for his dramatic performance as a terminally ill cancer patient in the 1981 television playGoing Gently. He also toured internationally, including performances in Australia and South Africa.[3]
Following theChernobyl disaster in 1986, a hospice was named in his honour.[4] In recognition of his contributions to entertainment, Wisdom was awarded theFreedom of the City of both London andTirana in 1995.[4] The same year, he was appointed anOfficer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the1995 Birthday Honours for services to entertainment and for charitable services.[6] He wasknighted in the2000 New Year Honours for services to entertainment.[7]
Norman Joseph Wisdom was born in theMarylebone district of London.[8] His parents were Frederick, achauffeur, and Maud Wisdom (née Targett), adressmaker who often worked for West End theatres and once made a dress forQueen Mary.[9] The couple married in Marylebone on 15 July 1912. Norman had an elder brother, Frederick Thomas "Fred" Wisdom (13 December 1912 – 1 July 1971).[citation needed]
The family lived at 91 Fernhead Road,Maida Vale, London W9, where all four shared a single room.[10] Norman and his brother grew up in extreme poverty and were frequently subjected to violence by their alcoholic father, who would sometimes pick them up and throw them across the room.[11][4]
Following the separation of their parents, the boys were "farmed out to paid guardians",[4] but their father failed to pay for their care, and they were eventually turned out. After being expelled from the home entirely by their father, Norman became homeless and was forced to sleep rough on the streets of London.
After a series of unsuccessful foster placements, he was eventually taken in by a generous couple. He soon found work as anerrand boy in agrocer's shop, despite not initially knowing how to ride a bicycle.[11] By the age of 13, he was working long shifts in a hotel. One of his fellow boy workers persuaded him to walk to Cardiff with hopes of becoming a miner. However, the boy’s family was unable to house him, and Norman found himself homeless again.
He later joined theMerchant Navy as acabin boy, sailing toArgentina. During the voyage, he learned to box. In Argentina, he entered a prize fight, managing to last three rounds before being badly beaten. During his time in the Merchant Navy, he also had to fend off unwanted sexual advances from a fellow sailor.
Returning to Cardiff and once again out of work, Wisdom made his way back to London. There, he was advised to join theBritish Army, which accepted band recruits from the age of 14. Though he had no musical training, he tearfully persuaded the recruiting officer to let him join—and was accepted.
In 1930, Wisdom was posted toLucknow, in theUnited Provinces of British India,[4] where he served as a band boy.[citation needed] During his time there, he learned to ride horses, became theflyweight boxing champion of theBritish Army in India,[4] and taught himself to play a wide range of instruments, including the piano, trumpet, saxophone, flute, drums, bugle, and clarinet.[10]
At the outbreak of theSecond World War, Wisdom was assigned to a communications centre in a command bunker in London. There, he handled telephone connections between war leaders and theprime minister. He metWinston Churchill on several occasions while delivering updates on incoming calls.[10] He later joined theRoyal Corps of Signals, performing similar duties at unit headquarters inCheltenham,Gloucestershire.
While shadow boxing in an army gym, Wisdom discovered his gift for entertaining.[12] He began honing his skills as a musician andstage entertainer.[5] In 1940, at the age of 25, during aNAAFI entertainment night, he spontaneously stepped out of theorchestra pit during a dance routine to perform shadow boxing. Hearing laughter from his fellow soldiers and officers, he added a duck waddle and a series of comic facial expressions. Reflecting on the moment, he recalled: "They were in hysterics. All the officers were falling about laughing."[13]
Wisdom would later say that this was where he first developed his trademark persona as "The Successful Failure".[13] Over the next few years, until his demobilisation in 1945, his act grew to include his now-famous singing, pratfalls, and stumbling routines. After a performance at a charity concert atCheltenham Town Hall on 31 August 1944,[citation needed] actorRex Harrison came backstage and encouraged him to pursue a career as a professional entertainer.[14]
After being demobilised, Wisdom worked as aprivate hire car driver. Having improved his diction during his army service, he also took a job as a nighttelephone operator.[10]
At the age of 31, Wisdom made his debut as a professional entertainer, still referring to himself as "The Successful Failure". Performing in small suburban music halls, he crafted a unique act that drew on his natural shyness, his talent for slapstick falls, his musical versatility, and his singing ability. A recurring part of his routine involved struggling to keep up with a theatre band that frequently changed key—until he would outplay them, showcasing his virtuosity. A review from August 1946 praised his performance:"An unusual and most versatile comedian, Norman Wisdom, contributes two remarkable turns. He is an accomplished pianist, a pleasing singer, a talented instrumentalist, a clever mimer, and withal, a true humourist."[15]
Wisdom's ascent in the entertainment world was relatively swift. A highly successful run at the London Casino in April 1948[16] led to a summer season inOut of the Blue in Scarborough. He shared the stage withmagicianDavid Nixon, and their onstage chemistry resulted in further variety performances together, beginning again at the London Casino in September 1948.[17] That Christmas, he appeared in the pantomimeRobinson Crusoe at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre.[18]
By this point, Wisdom had fully adopted the costume that would become his trademark: an askew tweedflat cap with the peak turned up, a suit at least two sizes too small, a crumpled collar, and a mangled tie. The comic persona that came with it—known as "the Gump"—would come to define his film career. Within two years, he had become a star of theWest End theatre circuit, refining his act primarily between venues in London andBrighton:[13]
I spent virtually all of those years on the road. You could keep incredibly busy just performing in pantomimes and revues. There was a whole generation of performers who learned everything on the stage.
In 1948, Wisdom made his television debut and quickly gained a large following. That same year, he appeared in a small film role inA Date with a Dream.
Wisdom starred in a series of low-budget comedies produced by theRank Organisation, beginning withTrouble in Store (1953).[19] The film earned him aBAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Film in 1954,[20] and became the second most popular film at the British box office that year. Exhibitors also ranked him as the tenth biggest box-office star in Britain in 1954.[21]
His cheerful, unpretentious screen persona—lighthearted and physical—made his films natural successors to those ofGeorge Formby a generation earlier.[22] While never critically acclaimed, Wisdom’s comedies were hugely popular with domestic audiences and represented some of Britain’s most successful box-office draws of the era. They even found unexpected success in overseas markets, helping to financially sustain Rank at a time when its costlier productions faltered.[citation needed]
Most of these films featured his well-known Gump character—usually named Norman—who found himself in various manual jobs, frequently incompetent and always subordinate to a straight man, typically portrayed byEdward Chapman (as Mr Grimsdale) orJerry Desmonde. The films highlighted Wisdom’s flair for physicalslapstick comedy and his ability to evoke sympathy through the character’s naïveté and helplessness. Romantic subplots were a regular feature, often revolving around the Gump’s awkwardness with women, echoing the innocence found in Formby’s earlier roles.
Wisdom’s second starring film,One Good Turn (1955), ranked as the seventh most popular British film of that year.[23] He also appeared inAs Long as They're Happy (1955), followed by a return to leading roles inMan of the Moment (1955), which further cemented his popularity—he was named the sixth most popular British film star of 1955.[24]
His subsequent films saw him in a variety of jobs: a window cleaner inUp in the World (1956), and a jewellery store worker inJust My Luck (1957).[25] Although these titles saw a dip in box-office returns,The Square Peg (1959), an army-themed comedy, reversed the trend, becoming one of the top-grossing films of the year and finishing seventh at the British box office.[26][27] By contrast,Follow a Star (1959) was less successful.
Seeking to break from the Rank formula,There Was a Crooked Man (1960) marked an attempt to rebrand Wisdom’s screen image, thoughThe Bulldog Breed (1960) saw a return to more familiar territory. A youngMichael Caine co-starred in the latter and later recounted that he did not enjoy working with Wisdom, saying he "wasn't very nice to support-part actors".[28] Nevertheless, Wisdom retained his position as the tenth most popular star at the British box office.
Departing again from the typical format, Wisdom starred inThe Girl on the Boat (1961), based on a novel byP. G. Wodehouse. He returned to more familiar comedic roles inOn the Beat (1962), where he played a car cleaner, and inA Stitch in Time (1963), as an apprentice butcher.[29]
His first colour film,The Early Bird (1965), cast him as a milkman. This was followed by a cameo inThe Sandwich Man (1966) and a starring role inPress for Time (1966), his final film in the series of Rank Organisation comedies. Despite this being the end of that era, Wisdom was still voted the fifth most popular star at the British box office.[30]Filmk wrote his film career was "a remarkable achievement for Rank".[31]
In addition to acting, Wisdom’s stage performances often included musical numbers, although he composed only a handful himself. He is credited with seven songs in theASCAP database: "Beware", "Don't Laugh at Me ('cause I'm a Fool)", "Falling in Love", "Follow a Star", "I Love You", "Please Opportunity", and "Up in the World".[32]
.jpg)
In 1966, Norman Wisdom spent a brief period in the United States to star in the Broadway production of theJimmy Van Heusen andSammy Cahnmusical comedyWalking Happy, based on Harold Brighouse's playHobson's Choice. His performance as Will Mosop earned him a nomination at theTony Awards.
This success led to his first Hollywood film role inThe Night They Raided Minsky's (1968), as well as a part in the 1967 U.S. television musical adaptation ofGeorge Bernard Shaw'sAndrocles and The Lion, with music byRichard Rodgers and co-starringNoël Coward.
Following a typically well-received appearance onThe Ed Sullivan Show,[4] further opportunities in the United States were cut short when he was forced to return to London after the breakdown of his second marriage. From then on, his career focused more on television, and he toured internationally with a successful cabaret act. In 1981, he received critical acclaim for his dramatic portrayal of a terminally ill cancer patient in the television play,Going Gently.
Wisdom was among the actors initially considered for the lead role of Frank Spencer inSome Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. He declined the offer, reportedly because he "didn't find it funny", and the role was eventually played byMichael Crawford. Series creatorRaymond Allen later confirmed this decision.[citation needed]
On 31 December 1976, Wisdom performed his theme song "Don't Laugh at Me ('cause I'm a Fool)" duringBBC1'sA Jubilee of Music, held to celebrate British pop music in honour ofQueen Elizabeth II’s forthcomingSilver Jubilee.[33] He had previously performed for the Queen at many Royal Command Performances, beginning in 1952.[34]
After touring South Africa, Zimbabwe and Australia with modest success, Wisdom's appearances in Britain became increasingly rare, and he spent much of the 1980s living in seclusion on the Isle of Man.[35]
In the 1990s, his career experienced a revival, aided by the support of younger comedians such asLee Evans, whose energetic performances were frequently compared to Wisdom’s.[36] This resurgence culminated in his being made aknight for services to entertainment in the 2000New Year's Honours List.[37] At the knighthood ceremony, he famously performed his trademark trip as he walked away from the Queen, prompting her to laugh warmly.[38]
From 1995 to 2004, he played the recurring role of Billy Ingleton in the long-runningBBC comedy seriesLast of the Summer Wine. In 1996, he was honoured with a Special Achievement Award from theLondon Film Critics.[39]
Wisdom appeared on a special edition ofThis Is Your Life in 2000, dedicated to actor-directorTodd Carty. In 2001, during anEngland World Cup qualifier againstAlbania, he made a memorable half-time appearance atSt James' Park, scoring a penalty at the Leazes End.[40]
In 2002, he filmed a cameo as a butler in a low-budget horror film, and in 2004 appeared inCoronation Street as fitness enthusiast Ernie Crabbe. In 2007, he came out of retirement to take a role in the short filmExpresso.[41]
Wisdom became a beloved cultural icon inAlbania, where his films were among the few Western imports permitted under the regime ofEnver Hoxha. From the viewpoint ofdialectical materialism, Wisdom’s recurring screen persona—a proletarian underdog triumphing over the capitalist elite—was interpreted as a symbolic victory for the working class. His character, often referred to as Mr Pitkin, struck a chord with Albanian audiences.
When he visited the country in 1995, he was astonished to find himself mobbed by fans, including then-presidentSali Berisha. During the trip, he was filmed byNewsnight visiting a children's project supported by ChildHope UK.[42]
He returned in 2001, coinciding with the England vs Albania match inTirana.[43] At the training ground, he drew more attention thanDavid Beckham and delighted the stadium crowd by wearing a half-English, half-Albanian shirt and performing one of his signature trips before kick-off.[44] In recognition of his enduring popularity, Wisdom was made an honorary citizen of Tirana in 1995.[45]
His affection for Albania culminated in a collaboration withTony Hawks andTim Rice on the novelty single "Big in Albania", featured in Hawks' book and TV seriesOne Hit Wonderland. The song reached number 18 on the Top Albania Radio chart.[46]
In October 2004, Norman Wisdom announced that he would retire from the entertainment industry on his 90th birthday, 4 February 2005. He stated that he intended to spend more time with his family, play golf, and enjoy driving around the Isle of Man, where he was living at the time.[47]
Despite his retirement, Wisdom returned to acting in 2007 with a role in the short filmExpresso, directed by Kevin Powis. Set over the course of a single day in a coffee shop, the film was funded by theUK Film Council and ScreenWM. It was shot in January and premiered at theCannes Film Festival on 27 May 2007. Wisdom later announced (as reported by BBC and ITV News) that this would be his final film role.
Expresso was subsequently adopted by the UK charityMacmillan and released on DVD to raise funds. In the film, Wisdom portrayed a vicar irritated by a fly in a café. Producer Nigel Martin Davey initially gave him a silent, visual role so he would not need to memorise any lines. However, on the day of filming, Wisdom was so engaged that his performance was expanded to include more comedic moments.[48]
Wisdom was married twice. His first marriage was to Doreen Brett in 1941. By 1944, they had separated when Doreen gave birth to a son, Michael (born 1944), fathered by Albert Gerald Hardwick, a telephone engineer.[citation needed] The marriage was formally dissolved in 1946.[citation needed]
In 1947, he married his second wife, Freda Isobel Simpson;[4] together they had two children:Nicholas (born 1953), who later playedfirst-class cricket forSussex,[49] and Jacqueline (born 1954).[50] The couple divorced in 1969,[4] with Wisdom being granted full custody of their children.[8] Freda later died inBrighton in 1992.[citation needed]
A well-known and well-loved resident of the Isle of Man, Wisdom lived for 27 years in a house inAndreas called Ballalough (Manx for "lake farm", and also a playful pun on the English phrase "belly laugh"). He was active in charitable causes, including support for orphanages in Albania.[51] In 2005, he appeared in a music video for theManx girl group Twisted Angels, for their single "LA", in support of the local charity Project 21.[52]
In the 1960s, he was involved in a high-profile legal case, Wisdom v Chamberlain (1968), when theInland Revenue pursued him for tax on profits from the sale of silver bullion, which he had bought out of concern over the devaluation of thepound. Wisdom argued that it was a personal investment, but the court ruled it was a trading venture, and therefore subject toincome tax.[53]
Wisdom was a lifelong supporter and former board member ofBrighton & Hove Albion. He also had a fondness forEverton andNewcastle United.[54] He enjoyedgolf,[47] and was a member of theGrand Order of Water Rats.[55] He also held honorary membership in theWinkle Club, a charitable organization inHastings,East Sussex.[56]
An enthusiast of classic cars, Wisdom’s collection included a 1956Bentley S1 Continental R Type fastback, which he first acquired in 1961 and repurchased in the late 1980s.[57] Following his divorce in 1969, he bought aShelby Cobra 427, CSX3206, while in New York, and kept it until 1986, when he sold it to another car collector in Brighton. Until he failed aDepartment of Transport fitness-to-drive test due to age and mental health decline, he also drove a 1987Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit and aJaguar S-Type, both of which were sold in September 2005.[citation needed]
In 1963, he commissioned a new motor yacht. The 94 feet (29 m) hull and superstructure were constructed in Spain for £80,000, then brought toShoreham-by-Sea,West Sussex, for fitting out. After three years of customisation and sea trials, the vessel—named M/Y Conquest—was valued at £1.25 million and made available for charter at £6,000 per month. Wisdom later sold it, admitting he was "no sailor".[13]
In mid-2006, after experiencing an irregular heart rhythm, Wisdom was flown by helicopter to a hospital inLiverpool, where he was fitted with aheart pacemaker.[58]
He moved into the Abbotswoodnursing home inBallasalla on 12 July 2007, where he remained until 4 October 2010.[59]
That same month, following the DVD release of Expresso, the BBC reported that Wisdom was living in a care home due tovascular dementia.[48] It was also revealed that he had grantedpower of attorney to his children and, after selling his flat inEpsom,Surrey, they were in the process of selling his Isle of Man home to help cover the costs of his long-term care.[60]
On 16 January 2008,[61]BBC2 aired a documentary titledWonderland: The Secret Life Of Norman Wisdom Aged 92 and 3/4..[62] The programme explored the challenges of caring for an elderly parent and showed that Wisdom’s memory loss had progressed to the point where he no longer recognised himself in his own films.
In the final six months of his life, Wisdom suffered a series of strokes that further deteriorated his physical and mental condition. He died on 4 October 2010 at Abbotswood nursing home on the Isle of Man, aged 95.[63]
His funeral was held on 22 October 2010 inDouglas, Isle of Man, with an open invitation extended to all island residents.[64][65] His trademark cloth cap was placed on the coffin during the church service.[65]
The funeral was attended by many figures from the entertainment industry. At Wisdom’s request,Moira Anderson performed "Who Can I Turn To",[65] specially arranged for the occasion byGordon Cree.[66] He was buried at Kirk Bride Churchyard inBride, Isle of Man.
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948-1950 | Wit and Wisdom | |||
| 1967 | Androclese and the Lion | Androclese | TV movie | |
| 1970 | Norman | Norman Wilkins | Alan Tarrant | |
| Music Hall | ||||
| 1973 | Nobody Is Norman Wisdom | Nobody | ||
| 1974 | A Little Bit of Wisdom | Norman | ||
| 1981 | BBC2 Playhouse | Bernard Flood | Episode:Going Gently. BAFTA Best Single Play, 1982 | |
| 1983 | Bergerac | Vincent | Episode: "Almost Like a Holiday" | |
| 1988 | The 1950s: Music, Memories & Milestones | |||
| 1995-2004 | Last of the Summer Wine | Billy Ingleton | 7 episodes | |
| 1998 | Casualty | Mr. Cole | Episode: "She Loved the Rain" | |
| 2002 | Dalziel and Pascoe | Bernie Marks | Episode: "Mens Sana" | |
| 2003 | The Last Detective | Lofty Brock | Episode: "Lofty" | |
| Between the Sheets | Maurice Hardy | Miniseries | ||
| 2004 | Coronation Street | Ernie Crabbe | 1 episode | |
| 2008 | Wonderland: The Secret Life Of Norman Wisdom Aged 92 and 3/4 |
For a number of years British exhibitors voted Wisdom one of the most popular stars in the country.
