D Cairns

If NW has a copy, why not write to him? The chap whose in the film and the chap whose house was used have GOOD STORIES, of the kind that would surely move the hardest heart, let alone Norman's.

ican

Will I finally get to see Norman riding his bike through my house??

Extract from Lancashire Evening Telegraph 28 April 2007

When Norman Came to Town

A FILM starring Norman Wisdom and made in Darwen is set to be screened publicly for the first time in 30 years.
'There Was A Crooked Man' was filmed in early 1960 and featured many local residents as extras but is not available to buy and was shown on television only once.
Now Darwen Library Theatre Film Society plans to show it in September subject to getting a copy from the British Film Institute.
Theatre manager Steve Burch said September 16 to 21 was pencilled in to show the film several times, other classic films and an exhibition of old movie posters owned by film society treasurer Brian Dixon.
He said: "We have been trying to find a copy of There Was A Crooked Man' for three years. Brian got in touch with Norman Wisdom and he said he would be thrilled if we could get a copy of the film for him as well. He has all his films except this."

Steptoes Son

There was a Crooked Man - Norman Wisdom

This is not a request for myself but for the the people of Darwen, this film is supposed to very very rare, made in 1960, and starred many of the local people as extras.

1 copy does exist whicih belongs to a collector, he is allowing it to be shown in the town next month, but no copys are to be made.

I'm sure the local people would all like copies for themselves as they had family or friends that appeared in the film, does anyone know anymore about this rare Norman Wisdom film, does anyone have a copy.

Lost Norman Wisdom Film To Be Shown Again (from Lancashire Telegraph)

Rob Compton

Interesting, thanks Steptoes Son.

If you cast around on this site, you'll find loads of threads about the film and how it seems impossible to find.

I would just point out that, while I'm sure the majority of location filming took place in Lancashire, I do know that some work was also carried out in the blanket mills in Witney, Oxfordshire - and the people of Witney would quite like the chance to see the film as well!

I have a local newspaper cutting somewhere with a photo of Norman at the Early Blanket Factory in Witney.

rgds
Rob

ican

Went to see a showing of There Was A Crooked Man at Darwen Library Theatre yesterday afternoon and the repeat in the evening. Shown from a DVD the quality was OK. Further showings are planned later in the year. I spoke to the local BBC reporter who informed me that researchers had found that copyright was held by both MGM and Granada International.

ShirlGirl

I'm not a fan of NW at all, but it would be worth seeing for the rest of the cast which includes Alfred Marks, Reginald Beckwith , Rosalind Knight, Ronald Fraser, good old Sam Kydd of course and a well-known Aussie actor - (well-known in Oz anyway ) - Ed Devereaux, playing a Yank.

If you believe IMDb it was Susanna York's first film, but in fact she was 'introduced' in "Tunes of Glory" - both released in 1960 so it's a close call.

Steve Crook

It's one of those cases where the IMDb doesn't have enough information to be definitive. The have a UK release date for There Was a Crooked Man but not for Tunes of Glory.

Steve