Sir Norman Wisdom
 

Home

When we think of Norman Wisdom, the image which inevitably comes to mind is of a  distraught little man in a tight fitting jacket, wearing a skewhiff cap. In all probability he will be running from some minor disaster shouting for help: “Mr. Grimsdale! Mr. Grimsdale!” This endearing and enduring comic character was known as the Gump and was developed by Norman way back in 1948 when he was treading the boards in a variety season in Scarborough.  Norman’s climb up the showbiz ladder was rapid, but he ensured that he learnt his trade in the best way possible for a physical comedian. He toured the circuits, perfecting his routines and timing as he went along. By 1951 he had already broken into the premier league with West End stardom and a regular TV spot attracting attention.

His first headlining film TROUBLE IN STORE (1953) proved a record-breaking smash hit and garnered Norman a BAFTA award as Best Newcomer. It was the first in a series of runaway successes. Throughout these films the basic personality of his character shows only slight variations. The little man who wants to fit in but whose childlike trust in people, coupled with his need of love and acceptance, make him easy prey for the less than honest, the unkind, or the unthinking. The Gump often tries to gain acceptance through  providing entertainment or sharing laughter, but as often as not he provides both of these in a totally inappropriate situation which backfires on him, making him an object of ridicule and humiliation. However, he can only be pushed so far before he fights back and then he displays an inner resilience and strength.

The success of this character meant that audiences were reluctant to allow Norman to try other forms of comedy. Even the splendid satire THERE WAS A CROOKED MAN (1960) failed to woo audiences in sufficient numbers.

Norman was given more leeway on stage. In England he was lauded for his performance in the musical comedy WHERE’S CHARLEY (1957-9), but it was in America where he found the most freedom to show the full range of his talents.

The Broadway musical WALKING HAPPY proved a personal triumph gaining Norman a Tony nomination and led to two further important Stateside ventures in 1967: Richard Rodgers’s TV musical ANDROCLES AND THE LION (with Noël Coward) and his sole American film THE NIGHT THEY RAIDED MINSKY’S. He returned to Broadway for NOT NOW, DARLING in 1967.

TV and cabaret dominated the 70s and in 1981 he finally got his first chance in a straight role in GOING GENTLY for the BBC.

After that Norman has hit the headlines with his visits to Albania and Chernobyl. In 1995 he finally achieved official recognition with his award of an OBE. He went on to gain his knighthood in the 2000 New Year’s honours list. He died in 2010.
Norman will always be remembered as one of the true greats of British comedy.