Up in the World

This title might just as well apply to Norman as the film, with him coming from an homeless street orphan, up into a film star.

But the title actually refers to going up a ladder, as a window cleaner, in this film Norman becomes an unlikely hero, eventually. And he gets the girl, formula Norman, but at least its a bit funny and got a good moral story.

The girl he got was Maureen Swanson, an an actor from Glasgow who also made her way "Up in the world", a few years later she gave up acting when she married into the nobility, she had 6 children and a good life, passing away in 2011 aged 78, she survived Norman by a year. Jerry Desmonde was in with Norman again, and look out for Brit film character stars Lionel Jeffries and Cyril Chamberlain and future Carry On star Bernard Bresslaw in an early role.

Obviously with Ladders involved, Norman gets up to a few stunts on them, maybe Jackie Chan got his inspiration from him, unless both got it from Laurel and Hardy or Buster Keaton? Anyway its got a good few funny moments. Worth watching just for them.

This is another "fish out of water" Norman Wisdom comedy, where he plays a window cleaner at a lavish, huge country estate. He is the new target of the mischievous child Sir Reginald and generally causes havoc with the other people. There is a sub plot about kidnapping Sir Reginald, something that his family always seems frightened about. Norman eventually agrees to take Sir Reggie to London to a nightclub to see a magician. Norman even wreaks havoc there. Norman Wisdom is a good physical comedian and he plays this role rather well. In this film he is the star, with his pratfalls and sight gags. There is a love interest but thats very secondary to Norman's mishaps. If you like Norman Wisdom, slapstick comedy, British comedy or just plain silliness, you should watch this as well as other Norman Wisdom comedies. It doesn't hurt to laugh.

Aug 21

Certainly as good as any of the Norman Wisdom films, maybe the best one, i do like the Early Bird a lot too.

Jerry Desmonde is here too, always great in the Norman Wisdom films.

Some really funny moments.

9 out of 10.

I thought this was one of Wisdom's very best outings as a hapless window cleaner caught up in a kidnap plot. It has far more story to it than other similar efforts the actor would go on to make, and his camaraderie with the supporting cast is what makes this zing; I particularly enjoyed his developing friendship with the spoilt young lord. The slapstick is very funny too, which helps immensely.

I regard myself fortunate to have met Norman Wisdom once. He was doing some promotional work up in Newcastle in the late 1990s.

Up in the World sees hapless Norman play a window cleaner on a big country estate. It has more windows than roof tiles. Norman has to put up with the spoilt brat of the household.

Some bad guys plan to kidnap the brat, an heir to the title and they are not happy that Norman bagged the window cleaning job.

Norman is forced to take the lad to a nightclub in London where Norman causes havoc during a magic act. The bad guys make a kidnap attempt and poor Norman is blamed and lands himself in jail.

Some of it is silly fun, there is an opening mishap where Norman places a giant poster over some apartments.

It is knockabout fun but I think it is not a good film. Norman Wisdom's schtick has aged a bit. Some of it comes across as irksome. The singing is irritating.