Very funny and surprisingly well made film. Norman Wisdom does not put a foot wrong, well he does but he's supposed to! What is particularly gratifying here is that whilst Wisdom is his brilliant self, everybody else puts in excellent and thoughtful performances. There is none of the 'prima donna' stuff we tend to get in the 'Carry On' films of the period and everybody is mainly interested in making themselves look good. Peter Jones, for instance puts in a magnificent performance as a St Johns Ambulance Brigade leader in a little scene that becomes central to the whole film. From the very beginning in the butcher's shop the slapstick is immaculate and typified by the hospital trolley race, Wisdom's tone is some magical mix of the male desire to prove himself and wanting to be a little boy again.
16 Reviews
Classic slapstick comedy
TheLittleSongbird28 May 2010
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
A Sketch in Time
michaelarmer21 May 2020
This one is above average, not Norman's best, but still good.
The scenes at the butchers are good, my wife could not stop laughing, , it was worth seeing it just for that.
This one has Jerry Desmonde and Herbert Chapman both supporting Norman and Jeanette Sterke is the pretty girl, Jeanette is one of the few from Norman's films who is still with us, now aged 87, she retired in 1986.
Lookout for Patsy Rowlands, Frank Williams (he did a few of Norman's films), Cyril Chamberlain and Pat Coombs.
The ending was a bit dramatic, but not too cheesy, it turned from a comedy to a social drama.
The scenes at the butchers are good, my wife could not stop laughing, , it was worth seeing it just for that.
This one has Jerry Desmonde and Herbert Chapman both supporting Norman and Jeanette Sterke is the pretty girl, Jeanette is one of the few from Norman's films who is still with us, now aged 87, she retired in 1986.
Lookout for Patsy Rowlands, Frank Williams (he did a few of Norman's films), Cyril Chamberlain and Pat Coombs.
The ending was a bit dramatic, but not too cheesy, it turned from a comedy to a social drama.
Standard wisdom fare
bob the moo26 February 2002
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.
Norman at his best
studioAT11 August 2014
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.
One of the star's better films
Leofwine_draca11 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
A typical Wisdom comedy with a hospital setting. Some very good slapstick and hijinks take place here, reminiscent of the likes of SOME MOTHERS DO 'AVE 'EM at its best, and Wisdom seems to be on particularly charismatic form. The supporting cast is studded with respected character actors and the whole thing has a veneer of class which lifts it above others.
nothing to get sick of, especially with a hospital drag race
lee_eisenberg11 September 2006
Once again, Norman Wisdom plays lovable klutz Norman Pitkin, raising Cain wherever he goes. In this case, he works for Mr. Grimsdale (Edward Chapman) in a meat store, when the place gets robbed. After a small snafu, Grimsdale gets sent to the hospital, and Pitkin accompanies him. In the hospital, Pitkin befriends orphan Lindy, but gets kicked out of the hospital.
Anyway, the whole movie has Pitkin getting himself into a series of loony situations, all the while getting on everyone's nerves. He's the very manifestation of the triumph of the underdog, how he inadvertently trashes the snobbish rich people's mores. In this case, he has a drag race on Grimsdale's bed, and later has to dress up as a nurse after a sticky situation (which was probably inserted to appeal to teenage boys). The movie culminates in a musical performance unlike any that you've ever seen.
All in all, it's something that you're sure to like. And some of those nurses were really hot!
Anyway, the whole movie has Pitkin getting himself into a series of loony situations, all the while getting on everyone's nerves. He's the very manifestation of the triumph of the underdog, how he inadvertently trashes the snobbish rich people's mores. In this case, he has a drag race on Grimsdale's bed, and later has to dress up as a nurse after a sticky situation (which was probably inserted to appeal to teenage boys). The movie culminates in a musical performance unlike any that you've ever seen.
All in all, it's something that you're sure to like. And some of those nurses were really hot!
Pitkin Pandemonium at St. Godrics.
hitchcockthelegend7 April 2013
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
Pretty dire now
donno141828 March 2020
As a young kid of about 11 I'd watch Normans's films maybe twice in a week each film . I thought he was hilarious . But now I cringe and wince . This is sooo dated and horribly unfunny . It also makes very uncomfortable viewing now
Things start hopping in the hospital when Wisdom arrives
SimonJack13 November 2016
"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.
Made me laugh once
malcolmgsw20 May 2020
Wisdoms style of comedy has gone out of fashion and is rather self indulgent.So watching this for the first and last time was as painful as sitting in his dentists chair.I managed to laugh once when he pulled the wrong tooth from the lady visitor.
One of Normans best movies!
Hassard199418 November 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I love this film, it's a great piece of British film history, i've been watching this (and many other Norman Wisdoms films) on video since i was young, and yet, they still have there appeal to me like they did all those years ago, and i think they'll stay that way!
In this film Norman Wisddom plays Norman Pitkin who works in a local butchers with the infamous Mr. Grimsdale, when they get overcome by a robber (i am unsure if he succeeds with the robbery or not, the last time i watched this film was in August!) anyway, Mr Grimsdale decides to hide his pocket watch in his mouth for safe keeping, but ends up swallowing it, so Norman calls the Ambulance to comes to help Mr. Grimsdale, with hilarious results (even the simplest things like putting him on a stretcher seem hard for Norman!)
When Mr Grimsdale is put in care, Norman gets barred from the Hospital because of a chase on electronic beds down the hospitals halls!!!
While hiding from the Hospital he finds this Little girl called Lindy whose parents were killed in ac plane crash, leaving her shocked and unable to speak, Norman immediately falls in love with her but being banned, he can't ever see her again, but knowing Norman he finds a way!
He decides to join the St. Johns Ambulance Bridage because they were to appear on Television, the perfect chance to get Lindy to see Norman, but Lindy is not allowed to watch TV as the show is on too late but Lindy escapes from the Hospital and makes her way to the location of Norman.
In the end they finally meet, but Norman thinks he's in the bad books because the person who owns the hospital, comes to thank Norman for his work (which i didn't mention) but Norman thinking he is mad, runs off outside and gets hit by a car, leaving him in hospital with Mr Grimsdale!
Overall i really enjoyed this film, one of Normans Best
8/10
In this film Norman Wisddom plays Norman Pitkin who works in a local butchers with the infamous Mr. Grimsdale, when they get overcome by a robber (i am unsure if he succeeds with the robbery or not, the last time i watched this film was in August!) anyway, Mr Grimsdale decides to hide his pocket watch in his mouth for safe keeping, but ends up swallowing it, so Norman calls the Ambulance to comes to help Mr. Grimsdale, with hilarious results (even the simplest things like putting him on a stretcher seem hard for Norman!)
When Mr Grimsdale is put in care, Norman gets barred from the Hospital because of a chase on electronic beds down the hospitals halls!!!
While hiding from the Hospital he finds this Little girl called Lindy whose parents were killed in ac plane crash, leaving her shocked and unable to speak, Norman immediately falls in love with her but being banned, he can't ever see her again, but knowing Norman he finds a way!
He decides to join the St. Johns Ambulance Bridage because they were to appear on Television, the perfect chance to get Lindy to see Norman, but Lindy is not allowed to watch TV as the show is on too late but Lindy escapes from the Hospital and makes her way to the location of Norman.
In the end they finally meet, but Norman thinks he's in the bad books because the person who owns the hospital, comes to thank Norman for his work (which i didn't mention) but Norman thinking he is mad, runs off outside and gets hit by a car, leaving him in hospital with Mr Grimsdale!
Overall i really enjoyed this film, one of Normans Best
8/10
A cure for any sickness!!
Sleepin_Dragon15 May 2018
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
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
"... you don't understand about giving do you?"
ouzman-12 April 2020
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.
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.
An antidote to our own horrible era,
philip-davies312 April 2020
As most others note, this is an excellent, superbly performed and really hilarious slapstick comedy.
The sole exception to this view on this website states that the film is too old to be funny and is in any case in some unspecified way nasty and unpleasant. I really can't imagine why anyone would think so.
Well, not in a sane and decent world, I can't. But of course that isn't the world we live in any more, but a world so morally topsy-turvy that silly fun, butcher's shops and hospitals as sources of innocent humour, and being clownishly kind to amuse little children are frowned upon as very, very dubious attitudes - - - whilst this same mad world regularly imposes horrors unimagined in previous times, by way of a supposedly acceptable normality. I daren't specify, of course, with the pc police on patrol everywhere. AND there was a very pretty girl with not very much on - - - but I suppose the less said about that the better. (Never mind the patient mischievously goosing Norman because he's dressed as a nurse!)
Talking Pictures TV, who recently did us a real service by showing us this laugh-out-loud Norman Wisdom vehicle - certainly the funniest film I've seen since the defining disaster of our globalised world spread misery and danger everywhere - , were even obliged to head off those who would prefer this station were banned forthwith by OfCom (they keep trying) by issuing a warning to viewers before showing it of the apparently offensive and distressing material which it contains.
Really, our world is sick in the head as well as in body. We've just got to escape it. This really is a horrible time to be alive.
The sole exception to this view on this website states that the film is too old to be funny and is in any case in some unspecified way nasty and unpleasant. I really can't imagine why anyone would think so.
Well, not in a sane and decent world, I can't. But of course that isn't the world we live in any more, but a world so morally topsy-turvy that silly fun, butcher's shops and hospitals as sources of innocent humour, and being clownishly kind to amuse little children are frowned upon as very, very dubious attitudes - - - whilst this same mad world regularly imposes horrors unimagined in previous times, by way of a supposedly acceptable normality. I daren't specify, of course, with the pc police on patrol everywhere. AND there was a very pretty girl with not very much on - - - but I suppose the less said about that the better. (Never mind the patient mischievously goosing Norman because he's dressed as a nurse!)
Talking Pictures TV, who recently did us a real service by showing us this laugh-out-loud Norman Wisdom vehicle - certainly the funniest film I've seen since the defining disaster of our globalised world spread misery and danger everywhere - , were even obliged to head off those who would prefer this station were banned forthwith by OfCom (they keep trying) by issuing a warning to viewers before showing it of the apparently offensive and distressing material which it contains.
Really, our world is sick in the head as well as in body. We've just got to escape it. This really is a horrible time to be alive.
Slapstick galore from Mr Wisdom
coltras3520 June 2021
Butcher's assistant Norman Pitkin vows to visit an orphan girl in hospital, despite being banned from the building.
If you have seen a few of Norman Wisdom comedies, then you know what you will get here - plenty of slapstick, a bit of sentimentality and Wisdom as Pitkin not failing to annoy Jerry Desmonde, who plays the usual snobby person in charge. It's a standard fare, but funny and entertaining, the kind they don't make any more.
If you have seen a few of Norman Wisdom comedies, then you know what you will get here - plenty of slapstick, a bit of sentimentality and Wisdom as Pitkin not failing to annoy Jerry Desmonde, who plays the usual snobby person in charge. It's a standard fare, but funny and entertaining, the kind they don't make any more.
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