Press for Time

Norman Shields is the Grandson of the Prime Minister of England. He was fathered by a drain inspector and has been shunned by his family. However the PM feels an obligation to look after him and sets him up as a journalist in a small town paper. Despite causing chaos wherever he goes, Norman gets involved with both Labour and Tory councillors and eventually teaches them a thing or two about what politics should mean.

This film was yet another in the long running series of Norman Wisdom comedies that relied on his talent to be a likeable, misunderstood, clumsy, common clown. Here the story has it's usual message for the working classes - here Norman shows up the toffs in local government as self-centred and disconnected. The love interest is even more interesting than usual, here she is a plain Jane type rather than a stunner who falls for Norman's charms. As a film it is interesting enough, but the comedy is not as fresh as in other Wisdom films.

It may be because he is a little older than other films, his character doesn't feel quite so innocent or wide-eyed as before and it makes his antics seem less acceptable. He also plays his own Mother and Grandfather, however they are quite empty characters and are only amusing because they are played by Wisdom.

Overall this is not quite up to Wisdom's usual standard but it has a good message, an interesting story and some genuinely amusing scenes.

This is more of a social drama than a comedy, although it does have comedy in it, it is slightly different than the other Norman films in that.

It is more interesting than anything else to me, to see what it was like in a seaside town in the sixties, Teignmouth looked absolutely lovely, filmed in the summer of 1966 when England was on top of the world.

The comedy was fun, but not that funny, there was no instant laugh for me, but it was good acting, the girls were a bit of a side issue, it was more about politics. And there lies the problem, its difficult to make good comedy from politics (It has been done well since - Yes Minister), and even Norman could not pull it off, his accident stunts looked more embarrassing than funny, and the choosing the ugly girl to win the beauty contest was a bit cheesy.

However I give it a 6 because it was interesting.

Norman Wisdom comedies aren't to everyone's taste. Sometimes his slapstick can be childish and he can overdo the pathos of his 'little man' routine. Nevertheless this - the last major film Wisdom made in his traditional manner - is one of his best.

The comedy is well-paced and Wisdom's character is rather more mature than usual, capable of using some initiative rather than simply being a clumsy fool. The photography of the attractive seaside locations is excellent. Perhaps another reason I find this film particularly likeable is that it reminds me of the seaside town I grew up in at about the same time, the petty-politics and small-town journalism especially.

This is a pleasing comedy from a simpler, gentler age.

Not quite Norman's best film, but it has plenty of great comic moments. Stanley Unwin's contribution in his inimitable gibberish (you can in fact follow the meaning if you listen very carefully!) is brilliant as always. Frances White gives a lovely performance as Liz. She may not have been as 'attractive' as Norman's primary love-interest Eleanor, but she turns out a much more worthy character. The seaside locations are beautiful (I must visit Teignmouth one day). And the condemnation of tinpot local politicians is perfect, and should be seen more often. For me, though, the supreme glory of 'Press For Time' is Norman's stunt when he visits the Mayor's house. Liz's mother introducing him to her daughter, while he's hanging from the chandelier, is a truly unforgettable moment in British cinema.

'Press For Time' is easily my favorite Norman Wisdom film; it has everything, plenty of humour, slapstick, a great cast, and a really catchy soundtrack.

Norman Wisdom plays three roles in this film, he plays the hero Norman Shields, his ex-suffragette mother, and his ancient grandfather (who also happens to be the Prime Minister of Great Britain!!!). It is a shame that the latter two only appear briefly during the first few minutes of the film.

Shields is a happy newspaper vendor in London, but a constant source of embarassment to his grandfather who, by pulling strings, gets him relocated to the West Country as a junior reporter. Once there Shields leaves a trail of havoc behind him in typical Norman Wisdom style.

As in most Wisdom films, the plot is superficial, and serves only as a vehicle for madcap humour. This film is certainly no exception. Memorable scenes include the council meeting, the house opening ceremony, the bus chase, and the beauty pageant. All are Wisdom at his very best!!