On the Beat

I have started to become very fond of Norman Wisdom and his work. He has a very endearing wide-eyed innocence about him and his films are funny and quirky. On the Beat I do like a lot. I do think though it runs a little too long, and the story is on the simplistic side of things. However, I loved the luscious black and white photography and well-constructed sets and scenery. The score is suitably quirky, and the script I think is sublime with a nice balance of humour and poignancy. The comedy is quite standard and not always original, but it succeeded in being funny, I especially liked the parts with the stilts and nosey neighbours. Norman Wisdom himself is great as he always is too. All in all, very entertaining film if not quite a favourite. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Movie fans who enjoy Jerry Lewis, Red Skelton and Abbott and Costello movies should like Norman Wisdom. This British comedy star of the mid- 20th century had a little bit of those comedians in his style. Yet, he had a character all his own.

"On the Beat" is a later film of his in which Wisdom plays Norman Pitkin, a wannabe Bobby. His father had been a policeman, but Norman can't get on the force because he's not tall enough to qualify. So, he has been working for Scotland Yard washing cars. He daydreams of being a crime- buster. Eventually, the right opportunity comes along and Norman impersonates an Italian underworld figure. He plays both roles and is very funny as Giulio Napolitani.

Pandemonium and hilarity break out from there on. I think this is one of his funniest films. It has one of the longest and funniest chases on foot ever filmed. "On the Beat" is sure to please anyone who enjoys just plain humor and crazy antics.

Because I'm laughing behind and the reason is this little fella, known as Mr Pitkin...

Another hit by the maestro of comedy. I did not like it much when I saw it for the first time mostly due to the fact that I did not understand quite a lot, but later, as I watched it in my native language, I got amazed by Mr Norman Wisdom's genius again.

It's damn funny with tons of funny episodes Check out the one with those two nosey neighbours behind the door (the old lady jerks her head and hits the chin of the man - it sounds simply outstanding and looks totally stupid).

Great timing and performance... yes, 10 out of 10. No question.

On the Beat is a Norman Wisdom comedy film directed by Robert Asher. It's the tenth Wisdom picture where he was the lead actor. Plot sees Wisdom as Norman Pitkin who works at Scotland Yard as a car cleaner but harbours dreams of becoming a policeman like his late father. The problem Norman faces is that he is just too small to meet the height requirement to join the service. However, after managing to get himself fired from the car wash job, Norman is given a way into the force on account of his uncanny resemblance to a suspected Italian crime boss who is masquerading as a hair dresser. Thus Norman is required to go undercover as the crime boss. Can he pull it off?

Norman Wisdom, he's Marmite isn't he? On The Beat, to this reviewer at least, is one of Wisdom's best film's. Some of his main collaborators such as Edward Chapman & Jerry Desmonde may be absent, but On the Beat has a real zest for life, an action comedy where at its core is the emotive based dreams of one man.

On The Beat follows in the great traditions of British comedy film's involving the good old British Bobby. Trace a line from Will Hay's brilliant Ask A Policeman in 1939 to Hot Fuzz (2007) and you will find a number of "themed" movies involving the British copper. With film's such as On The Beat and Carry On Constable from two years previously, we get a glimpse of a time when respect and fear of the law was the order of the day. When the copper was there to aid and make the public feel safe, values that sadly today are ever diminishing. With that, as a Brit myself, it's hard not to get caught up with nostalgia; and maybe even feel those pangs of sadness of a time long past. My rating, in that context should be taken in to consideration.

On The Beat is a very British film, it's also a rank and file Norman Wisdom film. One that's filled with the standard set pieces full of vim, vigour and chaos. With one medical on stilts sequence as mirthful as it is near genius. It's, however, unlikely to win over any sceptical older viewers who didn't get Wisdom back in the day. Nor is it a safe recommendation to those venturing for the first time into the works of Marylebone's famous son. But this does hold appeal for those in need of a light hearted pick me up. A harmless piece that zips along, gets in there, and gets the job done. Something that Wisdom, just like his character Pitkin, was want to do. 7/10

This is one of Norman's best films, it is very well made, well directed, paced well, good music and the best in physical comedy.

It has a host of British film regulars of the day, Raymond Huntley, Terence Alexander, David Lodge, Eric barker and Esma Cannon to name but a few, and a lovely Dilys laye. Sadly all concerned have passed away since and will not grace the screen again, Norman outlived them all.

The police chase is the highlight of the film, brilliantly done, and the funniest scene was the car washing bit with the water hose, I dare anyone not to laugh during that, it was amazingly funny, They don't do comedy like this anymore, the most recent to came anywhere near as Lee Evans, but he does no t do much now and I am sure he modelled himself on Norman Wisdom. And why not, He was one of the Best, up there with the likes of Chaplin, Laurel & Hardy.