Reviewed by Ariane Sherine
Stars Norman Wisdom & Tony Fayne | Written by Norman Wisdom
UK certification PG | UK RRP £8.99 | DVD Region 2 | Runtime 70 minutes | Directed by Robert Garofolo
Norman Wisdom is ooooold (93, to be precise). He was born during the First World War and fought in the Second World War, and his comedy is very much of that era. It’s gentle and silly, full of physical slapstick, mock fights and pratfalls, with chairs being pulled out from under people and nipples falling off. This live recording was originally released on VHS back in 1994, when Wisdom was 79 and still as sprightly as your Dad. During the full-length stage show, Sir Norm (he’s got an OBE, y’know) acts the beleaguered prankster, cheeky but dismayed at his band conductor’s unamused reaction to his scatterbrained trips and tumbles.
It’s really more variety than comedy, as the star showcases a huge array of talents and skills, from tapdancing and singing to trumpet, piano, drumming and sax-playing, finishing with a finale on a make-shift musical contraption. The lines are what most people would call cheesy, and the jokes are dated, but the audience loves Charlie Chaplin’s favourite clown, whatever he says or does, because to them he’s a lovable legend from their childhoods. However, if you’re under 40, you probably won’t be able to sit through the whole of this DVD, ’cause it’s not really meant for you — just as Bill Hicks isn’t meant for your grandparents.
EXTRAS * “Behind The Scenes”. That’s all, folks.