Press for Time

This is the last film in Carlton's 12-Disc "The Norman Wisdom Collection" (and his last official starring vehicle), also made in color and featuring the star in no less than three roles - a young ne'er-do-well, his ex-suffragette mother and the spastic British Prime Minister (who'd rather not get involved with his lowly relatives). It's not bad and the star - who's beginning to show his age - is in good form, with the best scenes being his disruption of a Council meeting and the sustained set-piece in which he contrives to destroy the stage during the inauguration of a new housing block (followed shortly by the edifice itself). Bafflingly, the only film of Wisdom's not to have made it to DVD as yet is the well-regarded caper THERE WAS A CROOKED MAN (1960) as, in fact, even the atypical THE GIRL ON THE BOAT (1962) has been given a budget release!

In any case, PRESS FOR TIME is also notable for the presence of Stanley Unwin (as the Town Clerk), an eccentric British comic best-known today perhaps for providing the "gibberish" narration to The Small Faces' song suite on Side Two of their classic psychedelic album, "Ogden's Nut Gone Flake" (1968). The film's lively score, then, was the first for the cinema by ex-Manfred Mann band member, Mike Vickers, who would go on to score a number of rather dismal British fantasy flicks. Curiously enough, PRESS FOR TIME was produced by Robert Hartford-Davis and Peter Newbrook (serving also as cinematographer) who are best-known as directors for their own dabblings in the Horror genre like THE FIEND (1971) and THE ASPHYX (1973) respectively!

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.

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.

'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!!

Press for time, where to begin? It's a somewhat madcap comedy, I'm not sure why, but I get glimpses of some of the earlier Carry on Films, it has that vibe, no smut, good clean humour. It takes its time to get going, but the scenes involving The Mayoress are hilarious, particularly in the debating chamber and at the 1000th house.

The Beauty Contest scene was perhaps a little deeper than you would perhaps think, there are several messages in it, the first being that beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder, and secondly, how refreshing to see women with curves!

Stanley Unwin is great to watch, delivering his gobbledegook lines in his own unique style. Frances White is lovely as Norman's eventual live interest, but the one that stole the show for me was Noel Dyson, who played The Mayoress.

Not a classic, but enough madcap moments, and if course shows us that the eternal battle between Labour and Conservatives has gone on for a very long time. 6/10.