DB7

Wisdom down the years

Feb 4 2005




By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner


SIR Norman Wisdom, who is 90 today, has chosen this moment to officially end a long and glittering showbusiness career.

The London-born comic, now based in the Isle of Man, wants to spend more time playing golf and seeing his family. (He married twice and is the father of two children.)

For former Examiner brass band correspondent Ron Massey it brings back vivid memories of Norman improbably at the centre of a big brass band occasion on the island some years ago.

Perhaps it was not so strange as it sounds at first sight: Norman joined the Army as a bandsman and learned to play eight musical instruments.

Says Ron: "About 20 years ago the Isle of Man Tourist Board organised an entertainment contest for brass bands.

"It was a first for the organisation and was to be staged over a weekend in the Villa Marina, Douglas. I was invited to attend and cover the event for the Examiner and a world-wide brass band magazine."

As they entered the Villa Marina for the awards presentation by Norman, Ron's new friend Ian Cottier warned him: "Don't be surprised, because anything can happen this evening."

Ian is a former head teacher who - now retired - presents a weekly brass band programme on Manx Radio. And he was right with his warning.

It was, says Ron "a social evening and an awards ceremony the like of which I had never before experienced".

Ron remembers: "The lovable fool was called to the stage, successfully mounted three or four steps and then, in typical Wisdom fashion, tripped on the last step and sent himself floundering full length across the stage.

"The hilarious evening was under way. Never before or since have I seen such a presentation ceremony, and to their credit all the band representatives called to the stage to collect trophies, played their part, acting the fool with the extremely talented artist.

"I've been his `straight man' on a couple of occasions," said Ian, "and believe me, it can be a most nerve-wracking experience. You never know what he`s going to do next."

Ron adds: "At the end of the presentation ceremony which should have taken about 20 minutes but which in fact lasted for almost an hour, the star of the evening left the stage, shook hands with many of his admirers, and headed for his beautiful island home."

Sir Norman has lived on the Isle of Man for a number of years and takes a great interest in the various island activities.

It's a long way from his difficult upbringing.

His parents divorced and his brutal and drunken father put Norman and brother Fred into care.

Moving from job to job during his teenage years, the young Norman eventually found himself working on a boat as a cabin boy and heading for Argentina.

Later, he joined the Army, and it was while in the Service that he discovered he could make people laugh, and he's been doing that ever since.

Rex Harrison was the man who spotted Norman`s acting potential during a charity show in India, and from then on the young comedy actor was on his way.

Small in stature Sir Norman, who was knighted in 2000, once said: "I still regard myself as a short-arse who's been lucky, although I've worked for it."

He has appeared in many films, done numerous stage shows, been a successful writer and producer and composed a number of songs, particularly the hit Don't Laugh at Me 'Cos I`m a Fool. In the Sixties his stage show became a Broadway hit.

Norman has also appeared in five or six Royal Command Performances.

FITTINGLY for a record-breaker like Norman, he ended his TV career in December last year appearing at 89 in the Christmas special of Last Of The Summer Wine.

It was in the character of Billy Ingleton, who he first played in the Holmfirth-based sitcom in the Christmas special of 1995.

Like much else that he did, he attacked it with enthusiasm. On Summer Wine, Norman said: "It's a privilege and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. They're smashing blokes and it's a very happy company. It's not like work, it's just fun."

Perhaps his most improbable success was in Albania where he became a national hero.

During the iron rule of Stalinist dictator Enver Hoxha just about anything in the way of Western entertainment was banned.

But in Wisdom's hapless everyman character Pitkin, Enver saw the universal worker in the perennial struggle against the capitalism of Mr Grimsdale.

The population didn't see the political propaganda, they saw a man who was hilariously funny.

alan gowdy

I recently watched a Biography Channel programme on Sir Norman. Comparisons were made at one point with the career of Michael Crawford - stunts, musicianship, singing etc. Much as I respect the latter gentleman's considerable talents I would say that Norman Wisdom did it first and did it better. Ahead of his time.

"Don't forget... one of petrol, two of meths"

anthony chubb

i met sir norman a few years ago at the brinsworth house fete in twickenham spoke to him <and david lodge r.i.p.>
had my picture taken with him anf its on my wall in my computor room.
a gentle man by name and nature
Happy retirment you have earnt it

anton

Hackett

I don't think people like Sir Norman can retire. I bet he does 5 minute's when he opens the fridge door. He'll turn up every now and then at a charity do tripping up in front of a camera. And long may he do so.