Three tracks from Norman Wisdom from a rare 1968 LP on the EMI label called "One Man's Music - The Songs of Noel Gay". Mostly very slushy sentimental ballads sung by the likes of Beryl Reid, Des O'Connor and the Mike Sammes Singers. Not really my cup of tea but though you would like to hear them anyway.
"Norman Wisdom was born in the London district of Marylebone to Frederick and Maude Wisdom. His father was a chauffeur and his mother a dressmaker. After a difficult and poverty-stricken childhood he joined the 10th Hussars and began to develop his talents as a musician and stage entertainer
After he left the army he went into show-business, gradually becoming one of Britain's most successful stars. In 1954 he released the best-selling single that is still closely associated with his name, "Don't Laugh At Me (Cause I'm A Fool)".
Moving into film in the 1960s, he created an accident-prone, clownish character called Norman Pitkin, a lovable fool who appeared in several successful films, most notably The Early Bird (1965). His famous and widely imitated cry as Pitkin was "Mr Grimsdale! Mr Grimsdale!
In 1967, he was widely praised for his performance as a serious actor in The Night They Raided Minsky's, but his career began to decline in the 1970s and he was out of favour with British tastes in comedy for many years. On 11 February 1987 Norman Wisdom was the subject of Thames Television's This Is Your Life.
He became widely popular again in the 1990s, helped by the young comedian Lee Evans, whose act was heavily influenced by Wisdom's work. The highpoint of this new popularity was the knighthood he received in 1999 from Queen Elizabeth II.
After he was knighted, true to his accident-prone persona, he couldn't resist pretending to trip on his way out off the platform."
Discover more about Norman Wisdom HERE.
Norman Wisdom - Leaning On A Lamp Post
Norman Wisdom - Doing The Lambeth Walk
Norman Wisdom - Me And My Girl
If you're ever inspired to up the Beryl Reid track, I'd be appreciative. And thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteMy Dad took me to see him in a film, cannot for the life of me remember its name, where it begins with him washing a car in a police HQ. The hose gets out of control and subsequently sends a spray of water all over the Chief Inspector.
ReplyDeleteHe is one of the funniest men ever and thank goodness for Lee Evans who has so much to thank him for 'cos I like him too!
He seemed much funnier back in the 60's but I have fond memories of his early films especially "One The Beat" which you mention and a clip HERE on YouTube.
ReplyDelete