Obit: Actor Norman Wisdom (Oct 2010)

Subject: Obit: Norman Wisdom
From: GUEST,mauvepink
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 06:49 PM

This may need to go over to BS but I just heard on the radio on the way home that Norman Wisdom, the actor, has died at the age of 95. I assume he has died on the Isle of Man where he has lived for so long. He was well known on the Island and could always be seen out and about during TT weeks enjoying the racing. He was a funny man but also did lots for comedy. His obituary is below

RIP Sir Norman

Obituary: Norman Wisdom


mp

Subject: RE: Obit: Norman Wisdom
From: GUEST,mauvepink
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 06:51 PM

I meant to say he did a great deal for charities

mp

Subject: RE: Obit: Norman Wisdom
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 07:32 PM

Was just watching the other day the movie about the birth of striptease - think was 'night at Minskys' or similar, where he was doing the old music hall funny man schtick routines.

As a kid I loved most of his movies, until he got more 'control' and pushed the 'maudlin' envelope with those extended uncomfortable scenes where he would hold the bursting into tears moment, which always resulted in the audience (in the scene in the film) laughing.

I still think he could be a very funny man - until his style fell out of popular favor. Would have loved to have met him for a quiet chat.

I thought he was much funnier than Jerry lewis, overall.

Subject: Obit: Sir Norman Wisdom
From: Leadfingers
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 02:06 AM

As Ian A said - Tears in Tirana tonight BBC Obit

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Norman Wisdom (Oct 2010)
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 02:30 AM

Another old favourite from my childhood gone. I can still see him now with Bruce Forsythe at the London Palladium doing a polka dance around the stage. He was innocently funny and like Harry Worth and most of them at that time I knew absolutely nothing about him as a person.

RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Sir Norman Wisdom
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 03:29 AM

Norman was a massive star in Britain in the 1950s. His movies were hugely popular and he even had a number one single! He was a very talented chap.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Norman Wisdom (Oct 2010)
From: civilservant
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 03:43 AM

His style of comedy was one which never made fun or scapegoats out of anyone else. Like other greats such as Laurel and Hardy, and Charlie Chaplin, he made sure he alone was the butt of the joke. As the fool, he could show pomposity up to the light, so we could see it for what it was.

This quote from the bible comes to mind.

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

1 Corinthians 1:27 (KJV)

He will be missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sir Norman Wisdom
From: I don't know
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 03:45 AM

When I'm cleaning windows.....R.I.P. Condolences to the family. May his memory live on.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Norman Wisdom (Oct 2010)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 03:53 AM

Dic nihil etc, but I hated the way he held suffering and ineptitude (even if only his assumed own) up as funny.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sir Norman Wisdom
From: Splott Man
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 03:57 AM

"a true craftsman"

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Norman Wisdom (Oct 2010)
From: Stu
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 03:58 AM

Good Lord.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Norman Wisdom (Oct 2010)
From: Richie Black (misused acct, bad email)
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 04:02 AM

Sir Norman, was a very funny man who epitomized an era of fun,comradeship and goodwill that this country has sadly lost.

He was one of the hardest working actors and personalities I know of. His outlook on life seemed to fit the characters he portrayed.

He brought many a smile to faces worldwide. RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Sir Norman Wisdom
From: alanabit
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 04:29 AM

"When I'm Cleaning Windows" is more frequently associated with George Formby, who died back in the early sixties.
I am sorry to hear of Norman Wisdom's passing, although he obviously had a good innings. Neither his films - nor indeed his act - were for everybody, but that need not diminish the man. He was more than a bit of a man. He had known a time of being homeless and then joined the army. He then became the army flyweight boxing champion and fought through the war.
His name came to my attention again a year or two ago, because apparently he spent some time in Spain. There is a group of ex-pat lads from Looe there, who have adopted my song "East Looe Boys" as their signature tune. Apparently, Sir Norman would appear for a pint from time to time and join in lustily. I am flattered, because he would have known some of the other very brave soldiers of the DCLI, who are celebrated in that song.
I hope his passing was painless and that his final days were peaceful. He was a man uf some substance and by no means the hapless twit of the films.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sir Norman Wisdom
From: GUEST,glumman
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 04:37 AM

I was sitting in traffic a few years ago and happened to look into the car opposite and there was Norman Wisdom who gave me the face and a thumbs up. I slipped him a wink and we went on our way. Same thing happened years earlier with Jim Callaghan, another true gent.

Britain doesn't have a clowning tradition (more puritanism) but NW is perhaps our nearest thing. JC was just made to look a clown by a slavering tory press.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sir Norman Wisdom
From: GUEST,bigJ
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 05:51 AM

As part of an obituary on Manx Radio this morning (he lived in the IOM) there was a clip from an interview with him when he was ninety in which he recited:
First comes the cradle, then comes the hearse,
It might have been better, but it could have been worse!!

Subject: RE: Obit: Sir Norman Wisdom
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 06:19 AM

R.I.P. Norman.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sir Norman Wisdom
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 06:26 AM

I always believed it to be Norman Wisdom who gave the quote "The harder I work, the luckier I get." :-) I don't know if it was originaly his but it was in answer to someone saying he had been very lucky in getting the breaks. I always try to remember and hold to it and I think it is the sort of thing he would have said.

Avoid Mr Grimsdale and rest in peace.

DeG

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Norman Wisdom (Oct 2010)
From: theleveller
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 06:42 AM

Sad to hear of his death but not my cup of tea, I'm afraid, either as a performer or a person.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Norman Wisdom (Oct 2010)
From: fat B****rd
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 06:57 AM

I used to ,literally, fall about when my Mum took me to see his 'Mr. Grimsdale' films.
He did some serious acting in later life and don't forget he was a huge deal in Albania !!
RIP Norman.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sir Norman Wisdom
From: Desi C
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 07:19 AM

R.I.P to a funny man, we grew up watching his films in b&w every Sunday. And a very good self taught musician too

Subject: RE: Obit: Sir Norman Wisdom
From: Fiolar
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 07:49 AM

Another great loss. At least he is in a happier place now. He was one of the best British film comedy stars. RIP Norman. Say "Hello" to Laurel & Hardy.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sir Norman Wisdom
From: alex s
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 07:50 AM

I loved his films when I was a kid - ta, Norman, you were great.
Rest easy, bonny lad.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sir Norman Wisdom
From: GUEST, Sminky
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 08:12 AM

I suspect Mr Grimsdale is about to get a rude awakening.

Resting in peace is not something one would usually associate with NW. So, whatever suits you Norm, and thanks.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sir Norman Wisdom
From: GUEST,Captain Farrell
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 08:38 AM

So sad but fondly remembered a true all rounder.May I just pay tribute to all the co stars of brittish comedy films from the post war era that really did such a great job.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Norman Wisdom (Oct 2010)
From: pdq
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 12:25 PM

This man was so famous he had a tooth named after him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Norman Wisdom (Oct 2010)
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 01:23 PM

I am intrigued to know the reason why he wAs the only clown or comic allowed in Albania, DOES ANYONE KNOW?

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Norman Wisdom (Oct 2010)
From: GUEST,me
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 02:24 PM

Because his films were liked by the president. yes, true.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Norman Wisdom (Oct 2010)
From: jacqui.c
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 02:33 PM

I am intrigued to know the reason why he wAs the only clown or comic allowed in Albania

His 1950s and 60s movies, where his working-class characters typically eventually overcame the oppressive management, were the only Western movies allowed into Albania by the Communist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha, who viewed them as a parable for the workers' struggle against capitalism. The Albanian people, however, loved his physical comedy and he became the best-known and loved Western artist in the country. Since the fall of Communism, Wisdom has been involved in much work supporting Albanian childrens charities.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Norman Wisdom (Oct 2010)
From: GUEST,mauvepink
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 02:38 PM

One of his friends told of a story today that a charity truck that had his picture in the window was let through every checkpoint during the Albanian struggles. He was so loved and respected by them for all the work he did for charity there

mp