Review of Square Peg, The / Follow A Star

Introduction

Norman Wisdom is celebrated in many of the former Soviet bloc states as a comic genius. He is compared with Charlie Chaplin as a champion of the little man. Norman is, without doubt a national treasure, but I`ve always felt his "little man" character lacked the attitude that Chaplin`s tramp had. Chaplin`s hobo had his moments of pathos, but much of the time he was on top of the situation. In fact, there were times he could be quite the fighter.

Norman`s characters were always bumblers, little men who the world picked on. He never missed an opportunity to go for the sympathy vote. The great exception to this was "The Early Bird," his first colour movie where he played a milkman facing up against a big-business dairy out to ruin his employer `Mr Grimsdale`. "The Square Peg" and "Follow A Star" are two of his earlier works, made in black and white for the Rank Organisation in 1958 and 1959 respectively. "The Square Peg" is Norman`s spoof of movies like "I Was Monty`s Double", where he finds he is the spitting image of a German general. "Follow A Star" sets him up as the substitute voice for a fading singing star.

Many of Norman`s films feature his frequent straight man, Jerry Desmonde. Desmonde was a sepulchrally-voiced character actor, a veteran of the music-hall where he had been a foil for comics such as Sid Field. With the exception of a couple of movies in the late 1940`s, Desmonde`s movie career only blossomed when he worked alongside Norman. Never a completely sympathetic character, Desmonde would always play Norman`s boss or an antagonistic rival.

"Follow A Star" combines touches of "Pygmalion" and "Singin` In The Rain" as Norman unwittingly becomes the substitute voice for fading crooner Jerry Desmonde. This gives Norman every opportunity to display his singing talents (another `why, Norman, why???` topic - see the "Trouble In Store" review). He is aided and abetted in his attempts to become a famous singer by Hattie Jacques - in a magnificent turn as his voice coach - and Richard Wattis. Curiously, instead of the usual unattainable stock Rank-Charm-School starlet as his girlfriend he has June Laverick as his wheelchair-bound love interest - score one for equal ops, Norman! Even if Ms Laverick was a Rank-Charm-School starlet...

Video

"Square Peg" is presented in its original monochrome 1.66:1 non-anamorphic aspect ratio. The picture is sharp and well contrasted. "Follow A Star" is presented in 4:3, although aspects of the framing indicate it might have been filmed 1.66:1. The movie is sharper and shows better contrast than its boxmate.

Audio

As with the other releases in the set, the soundtrack is the standard mono presented via Dolby Digital 2.0. The sound has been treated to make a warmer reproduction than the normally quite tinny soundtrack profile of the mid 1950s.

Features

Britcom historian Robert Ross hosts a commentary track with Sir Norman Wisdom which gives some insight into the making of these movies. There are also trailers for both movies. HOH subtitles come as standard.

Conclusion

Sometimes Norman Wisdom towers as a comic genius, other times he makes you cringe. Both these movies have their fair share of both these types of moment. What you won`t find in these movies is anything that would offend your maiden aunt or corrupt your little ones. In Albania, he`s up there with Charlie Chaplin as a hero of the people. Need I say more?