IMDb RATING
6.9/10
1.3K
YOUR RATING
Mischievous Norman causes chaos at hospital after accident. Encounters traumatized mute girl Lindy who lost parents. Determined to help, he tries bringing joy back into her life.Mischievous Norman causes chaos at hospital after accident. Encounters traumatized mute girl Lindy who lost parents. Determined to help, he tries bringing joy back into her life.Mischievous Norman causes chaos at hospital after accident. Encounters traumatized mute girl Lindy who lost parents. Determined to help, he tries bringing joy back into her life.
Jeanette Sterke
- Nurse Haskell
- (as Jeannette Sterke)
Featured reviews
"A Stitch in Time" is one of the later movies by British comedy actor Norman Wisdom. I think it is one of his better films. In this one, he had some touching scenes on a serious side, but these relate to the humor he brings in a hospital setting.
Norman Wisdom was a star of British cinema in the mid-20th century. He had a little bit of Jerry Lewis, some Red Skelton and come Lou Costello. But his character had much more and was his own. Three things distinguish Wisdom – his perpetual smile and happy attitude, his exceedingly high energy level, and his physical abilities.
In this film, Wisdom plays his familiar character, Norman Pitkin. Many other comedians used hospital settings in movie plots, and one can expect the same types of hilarious situations in this one. A hospital gurney race is one of the funniest I've ever seen. This film has some slapstick comedy to rival the best of early American comedy teams. And the musical ending is special.
Norman Wisdom was a star of British cinema in the mid-20th century. He had a little bit of Jerry Lewis, some Red Skelton and come Lou Costello. But his character had much more and was his own. Three things distinguish Wisdom – his perpetual smile and happy attitude, his exceedingly high energy level, and his physical abilities.
In this film, Wisdom plays his familiar character, Norman Pitkin. Many other comedians used hospital settings in movie plots, and one can expect the same types of hilarious situations in this one. A hospital gurney race is one of the funniest I've ever seen. This film has some slapstick comedy to rival the best of early American comedy teams. And the musical ending is special.
A Stitch in Time is directed by Robert Asher and collectively written by Jack Davies, Norman Wisdom, Henry Blyth and Eddie Leslie. It stars Norman Wisdom, Edward Chapman, Jeanette Sterke and Jerry Desmonde. Music is by Philip Green and cinematography by Jack Asher.
Although not prime Wisdom, A Stitch in Time holds the secrets as to what made the diminutive star so popular. Obviously his style of slapstick and malarkey for laughs isn't for everyone, but Wisdom's career blossomed because the feel good factor in his movies was always so high. While there was nearly always a sweet thread in his movies, where the harsh critics would cite schmaltz or sappiness, others rightly point to the honest escapism factor, a chance to forget the world and its troubles for a brief moment in time.
A Stitch in Time sees Wisdom as Norman Pitkin, the young assistant to Mr. Grimsdale (Chapman) at the town butchers. When Grimsdale is hospitalised, Pitkin is determined to help wherever possible, which unfortunately means chaos will follow. This set-up allows Wisdom to indulge in a number of high spirited sequences involving motorised beds, teeth extractions, stretcher bearing, ambulance surfing, marching band chaos and even dressing up in drag. The "tender" sub-plot involves an orphan girl who after losing her parents in a plane crash, refuses to talk or smile, but Norman is on that case with the message being the innocence of unprejudiced kindness. That's that, really, all wrapped up in just under an hour and half of film.
Harmless and innocent fun for those who want to escape their blues. 7.5/10
Although not prime Wisdom, A Stitch in Time holds the secrets as to what made the diminutive star so popular. Obviously his style of slapstick and malarkey for laughs isn't for everyone, but Wisdom's career blossomed because the feel good factor in his movies was always so high. While there was nearly always a sweet thread in his movies, where the harsh critics would cite schmaltz or sappiness, others rightly point to the honest escapism factor, a chance to forget the world and its troubles for a brief moment in time.
A Stitch in Time sees Wisdom as Norman Pitkin, the young assistant to Mr. Grimsdale (Chapman) at the town butchers. When Grimsdale is hospitalised, Pitkin is determined to help wherever possible, which unfortunately means chaos will follow. This set-up allows Wisdom to indulge in a number of high spirited sequences involving motorised beds, teeth extractions, stretcher bearing, ambulance surfing, marching band chaos and even dressing up in drag. The "tender" sub-plot involves an orphan girl who after losing her parents in a plane crash, refuses to talk or smile, but Norman is on that case with the message being the innocence of unprejudiced kindness. That's that, really, all wrapped up in just under an hour and half of film.
Harmless and innocent fun for those who want to escape their blues. 7.5/10
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Did you know
- TriviaIn 1963, "A Stitch In Time," toppled Sean Connerys second James Bond film, "From Russia With Love" from the number 1 spot in the British box office.
- GoofsAt c. 16 minutes the nurse says "Mr Grimsdale will be taken to casualty." She could not possibly know the name of the new patient this stage.
- Quotes
Mr Grimsdale: How long will the ambulance be?
Norman Pitkin: Oh, about 18 feet, Mr. Grimsdale.
- ConnectionsFeatured in L'obscénité et la fureur - La véritable histoire des Sex Pistols (2000)
- How long is A Stitch in Time?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- A Stitch in Time
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 29 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
Top Gap
By what name was Docteur, ne coupez pas ! (1963) officially released in Canada in English?
Answer