NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Norman Wisdom

Sir Norman Wisdom, OBE (born 4 February 1915) is an English comedian, singer and actor. is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday[1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Marylebone (sometimes written St. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem No official anthem - the United Kingdom anthem God Save the Queen is commonly used England() â€“ on the European continent() â€“ in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto)1 Unified - by Athelstan 927 AD Area - Total... The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions; in decreasing order of seniority, these are Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross (GBE) Knight Commander... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday[1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem No official anthem - the United Kingdom anthem God Save the Queen is commonly used England() â€“ on the European continent() â€“ in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto)1 Unified - by Athelstan 927 AD Area - Total... A comedian, or comic, is an entertainer who amuses an audience by making them laugh. ... A singer is a musician who uses their voice to produce music. ... Actors in period costume sharing a joke whilst waiting between takes during location filming. ...

Early life

Norman J Wisdom was born in the London district of Marylebone to Frederick and Maud Wisdom (nee Targett), who married in Marylebone in 1912. 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. Wisdom’s mother left when he was nine, and he and his brother were left in the charge of their father. Wisdom ran away from home when he was 11, but returned to become an errand boy with a grocery store on leaving school at 13. Later he was a coal-miner, a waiter, a pageboy and a cabin-boy, before joining the army and seeing service in India. Leaving in 1946, he made his debut as an entertainer at the advanced age of 31 - but his rise to the top was phenomenally fast. A West End star within two years, he made his TV debut the same year and was soon commanding enormous audiences. By this time, he had adopted the suit that would remain his trademark - tweed cap askew with peak turned up, too-tight jacket, barely-better trousers, crumpled collar and tie awry. The character known as "the Gump" was to dominate Wisdom's film career. This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Marylebone (sometimes written St. ... A chauffeur in Japan A driver in Kerala A chauffeur is one who drives an automobile as a job. ... For other uses see Dressmaker (disambiguation) A dressmaker is a person who makes custom clothing for women, such as dresses, blouses, and evening gowns. ... The 10th Royal Hussars (Prince of Waless Own) was a cavalry regiment of the British Army from 1715 to 1969. ... â€œInstrumentalistâ€ redirects here. ... This article is about Performance art. ... An entertainer is someone who is hired to entertain people. ... A waiter in a resort setting A waiter is one who waits on tables, often at a restaurant or a bar. ... The pageboy (or page boy) is a hairstyle named after a drawing of a woman dressed as an English page boy. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre in London, or sometimes more specifically for shows staged in the large theatres of Londons Theatreland. Along with New Yorks Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in...

Film career

Wisdom made a series of low-budget star-vehicle comedies for the Rank Organisation, beginning with Trouble in Store in 1953. Their cheerful, unpretentious appeal make them the direct descendants of the films made a generation earlier by George Formby. Never highly thought of by the critics, they were very popular with domestic audiences, and in some unlikely overseas markets, helping Rank stay afloat financially when their more expensive film projects were unsuccessful. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Year 1953 (MCMLIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... George Formby, OBE (26 May 1904 â€“ 6 March 1961) was an English singer and comedian who became a major star of both cinema and music hall. ...

The films usually involved the Gump character in some manual occupation, in which he is barely competent, and in a junior position to a "straight man" superior, often played by Edward Chapman. They benefited from Wisdom's capacity for physical slapstick comedy and his skill at creating a sense of the character's helplessness. The series often contained a romantic subplot; the Gump's inevitable awkwardness with women is a characteristic shared with the earlier Formby vehicles. A double act, also known as a comedy duo, is a comic device in which humor is derived from the uneven relationship between two partners, usually of the same gender, age, ethnic origin, and profession, but drastically different personalities. ... Edward Chapman (13 October 1901 - 9 August 1977) was an English actor who starred in many films and television programmes, but is chiefly remembered as Mr. ... Slapstick is a type of comedy involving exaggerated physical violence. ...

By the mid-1960s, despite a move to filming in colour, Wisdom's commercial appeal was in eclipse. The obvious incongruity of a fifty-year old man playing the Prime Minister's grandson in Press for Time (1966) counted against him - though Wisdom's age was inaccurately reported for many years. The 1960s decade refers to the years from January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1969, inclusive. ... The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is, in practice, the political leader of the United Kingdom. ...

Later career

In 1966, Wisdom went to America to star on Broadway in the James Van Heusen-Sammy Cahn musical comedy Walking Happy. His highly-acclaimed performance was Tony nominated. He also completed his first American film as a vaudeville comic in The Night They Raided Minsky's. Any opportunities which might have opened up by this Stateside success were cut short when he had to return to London owing to a family crisis. His subsequent career was largely confined to television and he toured the world with his successful cabaret act. Year 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ... The Night They Raided Minskys is a 1968 film that purports to show the story of how striptease was invented at Minskys Burlesque circa 1927. ...

He won critical acclaim in 1981 for his dramatic role of a dying cancer patient in the play Going Gently. On 11 February 1987 Norman Wisdom was the subject of Thames Television's This Is Your Life for the second time. Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... Cancer is a class of diseases or disorders characterized by uncontrolled division of cells and the ability of these to spread, either by direct growth into adjacent tissue through invasion, or by implantation into distant sites by metastasis (where cancer cells are transported through the bloodstream or lymphatic system). ... February 11 is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This Is Your Life was a television documentary series hosted by its producer, Ralph Edwards. ...

He became prominent 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. Also in the 1990s he appeared in the recurring role of Billy Ingleton in the long-running BBC comedy Last Of The Summer Wine. The role was originally a one-off appearance, but proved so popular that he returned as the character on a number of occasions. For the band, see 1990s (band). ... Lee Evans (born 25 February 1964) is an English stand-up comedian and actor. ... A statue of an armoured knight of the Middle Ages For the chess piece, see knight (chess). ... Year 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar). ... Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor; born 21 April 1926) is Queen of sixteen sovereign states, holding each crown and title equally. ... The British Broadcasting Corporation, which is usually known as the BBC, is the largest broadcasting corporation in the world in terms of audience numbers, employing 26,000 staff in the United Kingdom alone and with a budget of more than GBÂ£4 billion. ... Last of the Summer Wine, written by Roy Clarke, is a British television sitcom. ...

In 2004 he made a cameo appearance in Coronation Street playing fitness fanatic pensioner Ernie Crabbe. shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Martin Scorsese appears briefly in an uncredited role in this scene from his feature film Taxi Driver. ... Coronation Street is an award winning British soap opera. ...

After he was knighted, true to his accident-prone persona, he couldn't resist pretending to trip off the platform on his way out.

A "Norman Wisdom moment"

On 25 January 2006, Nick Flynn, a visitor at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, England, destroyed three Qing Dynasty Chinese porcelain vases worth approximately £500,000. He claimed to have tripped over his own shoelaces and called the accident a "Norman Wisdom moment" (that is, a moment of extreme clumsiness), although he was later arrested under suspicion of causing criminal damage. is the 25th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... The main entrance to the Fitzwilliam Museum, facing Trumpington Sreet. ... Geography Status City (1951) Region East of England Admin. ... Flag (1890-1912) Anthem Gong Jinou (1911) Territory of Qing China in 1892 Capital Shengjing (1636-1644) Beijing (1644-1912) Language(s) Chinese Manchu Mongolian Government Monarchy Emperor - 1636-1643 Huang Taiji - 1908-1912 Xuantong Emperor Prime Minister - 1911 Yikuang - 1911-1912 Yuan Shikai History - Establishment of the Late...

Popularity in Albania

Norman Wisdom is a well-known and loved cult film icon in Albania and was the only Western actor whose films were allowed in the country during the Communist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha. Tony Hawks uses this fact to much comic effect in his book and TV series One Hit Wonderland where the two unite, along with Sir Tim Rice to release a single Big In Albania in an attempt to enter the Albanian pop charts. He is known as "Mr. Pitkin" in Albania, after the character he played in his films. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Communism is an ideology that seeks to establish a classless, stateless social organization based on common ownership of the means of production. ... Forms of government Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box: A dictatorship is an autocratic form of government in which the government is ruled by a dictator. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Tony Hawks is a British comedian and author. ... Tony Hawks is an English comedian and author. ... Sir Tim Rice (born November 10, 1944, in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, England, and educated at St Albans School and Lancing College) is a lyricist for musical theater, a radio presenter, television gameshow panelist and an author. ...

The archetypal Wisdom plot where the common working man gets the better of his bosses was considered ideologically sound by Hoxha. In 1995, he visited the post-Stalinist country, where to his surprise he was greeted by many appreciative fans including the then-president of Albania, Sali Berisha. His fondness for Brighton & Hove Albion is renowned in Albania and subsequently there are many 'Seagulls' fans in Albania. Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... (born October 15, 1944) is the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania. ... Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. are an English football team based in Brighton. ...

On a visit in 2001 which coincided with the England football team playing Albania in Tirana, his presence at the training ground even eclipsed that of David Beckham.^[1] Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... First international Scotland 0 - 0 England (Partick, Scotland; 30 November 1872) Biggest win Ireland 0 - 13 England (Belfast, Ireland; 18 February 1882) Biggest defeat Hungary 7 - 1 England (Budapest, Hungary; 23 May 1954) World Cup Appearances 12 (First in 1950) Best result Winners, 1966 European Championship Appearances 7 (First in... Tirana (Albanian: TiranÃ« or Tirana) is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Albania. ... David Beckham David Robert Joseph Beckham OBE (born May 2, 1975) is an English footballer born in Leytonstone, London. ...

Retirement

Norman Wisdom announced his retirement from the entertainment industry on his ninetieth birthday, 4 February, 2005. He intends to spend his retirement spending more time with his family, playing golf and driving around the Isle of Man, where he now lives (being a neighbour of John Rhys-Davies from Sliders). Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the sport. ... John Rhys-Davies (born May 5, 1944) is an British actor. ...

In mid-2006 he was admitted to hospital after he suffered an irregular heart rhythm. He was in hospital for a few days after he was fitted with a pacemaker device to steady his heartbeat.^{[citation needed]}

In 2007 he made his return to acting in the independent movie Expresso, premiering at the Cannes Film Festival on the 27th May. Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Cannes Film Festival logo. ...

Trivia

Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. are an English football team based in Brighton. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... 253 Mathilde, a C-type asteroid. ... This is a list of the sources of asteroid names. ... Sic is a Latin word meaning thus or so, used inside brackets [sic] to indicate that an unusual (or incorrect) spelling, phrase, or other preceding quoted material is intended to be read or printed exactly as shown, and is not a transcription error. ... The Human League are an English synthpop band formed in 1977, who, after several changes in line up, achieved great popularity in the 1980s and a limited comeback in the mid-1990s. ... The Grand Order of Water Rats is a United Kingdom entertainment industry charity. ... Max Miller, the Cheeky Chappie, was a 1930s English music hall comedian famous for his daringly risqué (for the period) repertoire (see Censorship), and gaudy suits. ...

Filmography

Trouble in Store is episode # 1. ... One Good Turn: A Natural History of the Screwdriver and the Screw is a book published in 2000 by Canadian architect, professor and writer Witold Rybczynski. ... Just My Luck is a romantic comedy film starring Lindsay Lohan (The Parent Trap, Freaky Friday, and Mean Girls) and Chris Pine (The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement) released in the US on May 12th, 2006. ... The subject of this article may not satisfy the notability guideline for Music. ... HASSARD2004 17:50, 3 August 2007 (UTC)On the beat is a film whrere Norman Pitkin Norman Wisdom in which he works at Scotland Yard, but not as the desired policeman Norman so dearly wants to be, he cleans the cars instead! One of the reasons Norman cant get... The Girl on the Boat is a novel by P. G. Wodehouse. ... A Stitch In Time is the second EP released by The Twilight Singers. ... Last of the Summer Wine, written by Roy Clarke, is a British television sitcom. ... The Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti (born October 12, 1935), is one of the most famous living opera singers. ... Last of the Summer Wine, written by Roy Clarke, is a British television sitcom. ... Katy Manning (publicity portrait) Katy Manning (born October 14, 1949 in Guildford, Surrey) is a British-born actress best known for her part as the companion Jo Grant in the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who. ... Detective Superintendent Andrew Dalziel (usually known as Andy) and Detective Sergeant (later Detective Inspector) Peter Pascoe are two fictional Yorkshire detectives featuring in a series of novels by Reginald Hill that became a BBC television series, also named Dalziel and Pascoe. ...

CDs and vinyl

Books

Norman also played a big part in the Tony Hawks book, One Hit Wonderland. Tony and Norman had a top twenty hit in Albania in 2002 with a song called "Big in Albania" written by Hawks and Oscar-winning lyricist Tim Rice. Cover of the first English edition of 1793 of Benjamin Franklins autobiography. ... Tony Hawks is a British comedian and author. ... Tony Hawks is an English comedian and author. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Sir Timothy Miles Bindon Rice (born 10 November 1944) is an English lyricist for musical theatre, a radio presenter, television gameshow panelist and an author. ...

References

External links

Categories: Articles with unsourced statements since March 2007 | All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with trivia sections from June 2007 | 1915 births | English actors | English comedians | Knights Bachelor | Living people | Manx people The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information about movies, actors, television shows, production crew personnel, and video games. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ...

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