Si spogli... infermiera

This film really does highlight Norman Wisdom at his best and features all the elements that made him such a fantastic screen clown.

Ably supported by Jerry Desmonde and Edward Chapman the film manages to feature all of the humour and the sentiment that make Wisdom's films so special. This one is particular shows him at his best because the sentiment is kept in check and there's none of the silly business of Norman playing multiple roles that perhaps bogged down his later outings.

Although it feels like a combination of sketches at times (Norman as a ST John's ambulance member, Norman as a nurse) they are brilliant ones, and there is enough of a plot to hold them all together. The scenes with Lindy are especially well written and it is perhaps this element that makes 'A Stitch in Time' my favourite of Norman's films.

The only sickness one could associate with A Stitch in Time would be laughter pains. I've not watched this film for a long time, but it is even funnier then I remember. When a robbery goes wrong in the Butcher's shop Mr Grimsdale lands up in Hospital, while Norman ends up causing mayhem throughout the hospital.

This glorious slapstick comedy had me in tears and fits of laughter, the sheer quality in writing, production, and of course performance transcends time, a film the whole family can enjoy, regardless of age. The wonderfully moving scene where Norman visits the sick girl, to the scream out loud funny scene where Norman dresses up as a Nurse, his performance is sensationally funny, that walk!

A joy from start to finish. 9/10

Wisdom: a simple, little genius. what's not to like?

He's up there with Chaplain when it comes to pathos.

His timing and huge skill base, what's not to love?

A comic having a ball within silliness, and what's not to like about that?

Sure the stories are hammy as ham.

Sure this is a dated situation comedy within a small defined market now. but at its time this little man was huge.

Wisdom, a simple genius.

Norman Pitkin works for Mr Grimsdale in a butcher shop. When a robbery goes wrong Mr Grimsdale is put into hospital to recover. While in the hospital he and Norman decide that they have been `called' to serve as doctors. While visiting Norman makes friends with a lonely young girl in the children's wing, even giving her Mr Grimsdale's gold watch to cheer her up. However a series of misunderstandings leads Sir Hector to ban Norman from the hospital. However he tries many tricks to get in to visit the girl.

Norman Wisdom films rarely surprise - you pretty much know what you're going to get and this is no different. Here his wide eyed innocent gets into a raft of comical misunderstandings around the hospital. His innocent act still works well and many of the set pieces are funny and well handled. The actual scenes with the little girl are too cute and sweet to be totally enjoyable but they do set up the usual `message' at the end - this one (as with so many others) allows Norman's working class fool to challenge the selfishness of the upper classes.

Wisdom is good, he still manages to carry off the likeable innocent. Wisdom regulars Jerry Desmonde and Edward Chapman are both good and as usual the rest of the cast is filled out by reasonable attractive girls eager to fall for Norman's charms.

Overall fans of Wisdom will not be disappointed and people who enjoy physical comedy with no nasty or cynical edges will find much gentle charm to enjoy here.

Even if the story is pretty standard and some parts get a little sentimental, A Stitch in Time is still a charming and funny slapstick comedy. A Stitch in Time is very well made, with nice cinematography and the film overall looks beautiful. The music by Phillip Green is beautiful as well, while there are some nice and funny touches in the screenplay. Not only that the set pieces are efficiently done and just add to the fun, with the slapstick very well timed. The pacing is just fine, the direction is good and the length I had no problem with either. And the acting is little to gripe about; Norman Wisdom is very winning in the title role, very innocent and likable, while Edward Chapman and Jerry Desmonde almost come close to stealing the film and Jeanette Sterke is really beautiful. Overall, classic slapstick comedy, that is very nice to watch while being funny as well. 8/10 Bethany Cox