I have always loved Norman Wisdom and enjoy all of his films, though a particular flaw I find is the insistence of shoe horning in what I feel are unrealistic elements. His singing voice is reasonable enough but, why the insistence of including any spurious opportunity for him to sing? The other daft element is the love interest for Norman, daft because they are invariably the best looking women in the film.
What makes this film stand out for me is the lack of either of those irritants, and we are left with a great Norman Wisdom film thoroughly enjoyable.
Edward Chapman is Mr Grimsdale the bumptious supercilious cantankerous and officious Borough Surveyor. Grimsdale and Pitkin are as much a double act in this film as they were in all the others. It starts with Pitkin as ever doing the work this time in the road, with Grimsdale as usual sitting on his backside giving the orders. It ends with the tables turned Pitkin has been elevated to the dizzy heights of local Mayor, and Grimsdale remains the same irritating character who is unlikely to be any different.
A particular delight is the scene with Hattie Jacques playing out of character as the German opera singer, her duets with Norman Wisdom in both of his roles are blissfully funny.
Honor Blackman is as ever divine and its obvious that Pitkin would fancy her character, though I must admit I was very pleased that no attempt was made to bring them together.
The wartime setting gives this film a great new scenario and settings for Pitkin and Grimsdale, with the army and Nazis serving as two different sets of adversaries. They are undoubtedly two of the least likely heroes imaginable, certainly not one's to imagine having to rely on in any emergency.
It's easy to say that this is a film that would only appeal to British audiences, and then only to those of a certain age. But while there is some truth in this assumption, his humour is quintessentially British, and he is more likely to be known this side of the pond. I still feel that it's simply a matter of having a funny bone, we all have a sense of humour, it's a matter of what tickles it.
Norman Pitkin is the every man, having to work for a wally, at odds with authority and the world. We can all relate to him, imagine the predicaments he finds himself in, and root for his survival and success.
What makes this film stand out for me is the lack of either of those irritants, and we are left with a great Norman Wisdom film thoroughly enjoyable.
Edward Chapman is Mr Grimsdale the bumptious supercilious cantankerous and officious Borough Surveyor. Grimsdale and Pitkin are as much a double act in this film as they were in all the others. It starts with Pitkin as ever doing the work this time in the road, with Grimsdale as usual sitting on his backside giving the orders. It ends with the tables turned Pitkin has been elevated to the dizzy heights of local Mayor, and Grimsdale remains the same irritating character who is unlikely to be any different.
A particular delight is the scene with Hattie Jacques playing out of character as the German opera singer, her duets with Norman Wisdom in both of his roles are blissfully funny.
Honor Blackman is as ever divine and its obvious that Pitkin would fancy her character, though I must admit I was very pleased that no attempt was made to bring them together.
The wartime setting gives this film a great new scenario and settings for Pitkin and Grimsdale, with the army and Nazis serving as two different sets of adversaries. They are undoubtedly two of the least likely heroes imaginable, certainly not one's to imagine having to rely on in any emergency.
It's easy to say that this is a film that would only appeal to British audiences, and then only to those of a certain age. But while there is some truth in this assumption, his humour is quintessentially British, and he is more likely to be known this side of the pond. I still feel that it's simply a matter of having a funny bone, we all have a sense of humour, it's a matter of what tickles it.
Norman Pitkin is the every man, having to work for a wally, at odds with authority and the world. We can all relate to him, imagine the predicaments he finds himself in, and root for his survival and success.