Geordie

Just as with the other commentators, I too saw this film decades ago. It had already been in release for a couple of years, so there was a muzzy sense of age to it, even then.

I'm taking a guess here, but I'd be willing to wager that those who remember this film best, are males. We remember the wee Scots lad with his wire-hanger-thin arms and his knobby knees; and then we remember the fine figure of a man that he grew into. Yet, in retrospect, it is Geordie's slightly puzzled reactions to the incidentals that happen as a young man that makes him an endearing character.

While filmed in black and white, at the risk of a pun, this is one of the most colorful films ever made. What took it past a Cinderella-esque sort of movie, was Alistar Sim playing the foil. Who will forget the gorgeous old codger when he and Geordie are traipsing in the highlands, shooting for grouse. Feeling a call to nature, Sim discretely tells Geordie to go on ahead, and that he will join him momentarily. "Don't, if you please, shoot into the bushes," he warns Geordie. The young man wanders away, passing time - only to suddenly see a flock of grouse rush for the bush. Taking quick aim, he blasts away with both barrels. Not two seconds later, we see Sim, hobbled with his pants around his knees, thrusting his fist into the air and shouting, "Didn't I tell you to shoot anywhere but into the bushes!" The scene still makes me laugh.

Bill Travers went on to achieve considerable star power with "Born Free", and unless I'm mistaken, became an environmental activist.

One curiosity: "Geordie" is a term of endearment of the name, George, in the city/district of Newcastle. I haven't been able to reckon out why a Scots lad should bear such an English name. --Any suggestions?

One can only agree with most of the reviewers who found this film so utterly delightful. Which, of course, it is. I note that some sort of DVD release of the film is scheduled for September, 2008 but I am apprehensive that the quality of this release might not be that great. I hope I am wrong, of course.

Contrary to the opinion of one writer this film was beautifully photographed in the original, wonderful Technicolor process, not in black and white, as was erroneously stated. Those lucky enough to see an original Technicolor print are lucky indeed for the colour cinematography was one of the best things about that movie. Nowadays that the old Technicolor "imbibition" process is no longer used (it ceased in 1977) we are mostly left with pale, washed-out poor colour prints of this great movie. That is why I fear this upcoming DVD release may be a sad disappointment.

It is a pity that the original studio (British Lion/Columbia/Sony) doesn't spend a few dollars by going back to the film negative and giving us a nice restored version, as is done with so many other older films. Look what Warner Brothers recently did restoring the old 1937 Technicolor "Robin Hood" for DVD: it looks like the film was shot yesterday. And the same thing could be done to nearly every old Technicolor film, if the studios would make the effort.

"Wee Geordie" is a terrific film, so let's hope it one day gets a new lease on life with a proper transfer to DVD.

This movie is truly a classic... It is a classic story of a small boy who is tired of being small and rather than having sand kicked in his face, sends off for a "HE-MAN" mail order course... He then trains and dedicates himself to strength training and eventually grows to become an Olympic champion in the Hammer Throw, one of the Olympic strong man events... This movie is great and reminds us of days when Olympic champions were built from desire and hard work rather than todays steroids and other controversial techniques... A must see...

I first saw this movie on late night TV as a youth around 10 years old.Luckily, I got to stay up late one night over the weekend and surprise! there was a film called "Wee Geordie" on late night TV. I still remember it to this day. Sentimental? yes, but as a full blooded Scot, that scene of the mountains back hame,and hearing the Bagpipes in "Big" Geordie's dream sequence, still brings a tear to my eyes after 42 years. That's an excellent film in my opinion and I would recommend it to anyone with a drop of Celtic heritage or anyone who enjoyed films like " Rob Roy" and "BraveHeart". Wee Geordie thankfully, is without all the "historic" violence. Still another great film that deserves to be mentioned here,is "Tunes of Glory" with Sir Alec Guiness.This film is definitely not as innocent as Wee Geordie in nature. But in my opinion, it also ranks as one of the best Scottish Army themed films ever made, and still is dynamic entertainment. Enjoy!

Farm boy Rulon Gardner's fabulous win at the Sydney Olympics in Greco-Roman wrestling is almost a real-life incarnation of the hero of "Wee Geordie." Goerdie, the hero of this wonderful low-key comedy, starts out as an undersized little boy in rural Scotland, who grows up to be very big indeed. He takes up hammer-throwing after completing a physical-culture courst that converts him from 99 lb. weakling to "Charles Atlas." And, of course, he ends up in the 1956 Olympics, wearing his kilt and throwing for the gold.

I saw this film as a kid when it first came out, and was lucky enough to see it on television about a decade ago--and it had lost none of its charm. What with Rulon and Sydney, it's time to bring out this wonderful comedy on Video/DVD. Alistair Sim is a wonderful laird and Bill Travers plays the ultra-grown-up Geordie. It's really funny in the way of Brit comedies of the era.