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From Amazon.co.uk
Norman Wisdom reprises his best-loved character, the comically inept Pitkin, in 1965's The Early Bird, ably supported once again by Edward Chapman in his final appearance as Mr Grimsdale. This time around Wisdom is the only milkman working for Grimsdale's Dairy, a small business threatened by a menacing large corporation in the shape of Consolidated Dairies and their electric milk floats. Grimsdale and Pitkin must evoke the Dunkirk spirit to save their family firm from the grasp of the faceless giant. Of course, the wafer-thin plot is the merest excuse for a series of calamitous set pieces in which Wisdom wreaks havoc in his trademark bumbling manner. The best bits involve a disastrous game of golf, the usual shenanigans with a fire hose and a virtuoso tour de force opening sequence as the household struggles to wake up in the morning, all set to Ron Goodwin's tongue-in-cheek music score. --Mark Walker
In Press for Time Norman Wisdom offered his version of the crusading reporter movie, though by 1966 time was running out for Norman's style of big-screen comedy. Perhaps a sign of his growing frustration with the formulaic nature of his pictures was that he stretched himself to play not just his usual underdog hero, but also his own mother and his grandfather, the Prime Minister. Wisdom also cowrote the movie in which, as a reporter in a small seaside town, he causes chaos for the council, organises a beauty parade and dresses as a suffragette. Though now nearing the end of his years as a movie star, Wisdom shows himself to still be as polished as ever at his own brand of good-natured slapstick. --Gary S Dalkin
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), English ( Subtitles ), SPECIAL FEATURES: 2-DVD Set, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: The Early Bird (1965) Norman is the assistant helping to run a small, old fashioned dairy which is threatened by a larger, modern organisation. Norman does his best to save the dairy (and his horse) and the usual chaos ensues. Press for Time (1966) Norman is quite happy selling newspapers outside Westminster station but his Grandfather (the Prime Minister) wants to get him "a more responsible job". A few favours are called in and Norman becomes the newest reporter at the seaside town of Tinmouth. After causing chaos at a local council meeting and causing the demolition of a new house he tries to organise a beauty pageant. A slapstick tale of corruption in high and low places. ...The Early Bird / Press for Time ( Norman Wisdom: The Early Bird )
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
As a life-long fan of the comic, Wisdom provides a superb performance, incorporating humour, (at it's best and in a manner that only he can deliver), together with a number of poignant moments. With the occasional few minutes of slapstick, 'The Early Bird' provides the viewer with an excellent story line, (if slightly unbelievable), heartfelt warmth, great humour and Norman Wisdom providing the facial expressions that are only equalled by other greats like Tommy Cooper, Eric Morcambe and Peter Sellers!
This film represents superb all-round entertainment and if you enjoy the old British black and white comedies, this really is a must!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Lou Knee
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
His best vehicle by a mile, and I can never help wondering, when I watch this film, if a certain ex-milkman, Mr.Benny Hill went to the pictures to see this, and got mightily inspired by it. There is some nice direction in this movie, and though it's way over the top in its silliness, and opens with quite a slothful, drawn out sequence, it owns some quite memorable comedy scenes. This certainly isn't Peter Cook, and will probably always be considered low comedy, but I wouldn't mind betting that many people with a finer taste in comedy allow themselves the odd low snigger at his antics on the golf course or on the end of a lawnmower. I love the theme of this film in particular, as it's one that is still very topical today, about big corporate giants bullying the little man out of business. And its choice of milkmen for this is a very apt one for today's viewers, as this once very busy profession is now in its death throes. This film, for all these reasons, has become a true British classic. Nice one, Norman.
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
This film had me in stitches. It is a black and white film, which is normally a
deterrent for me, however it's clever mixtures of tears of sadness with tears of
laughter is effective in this film.
deterrent for me, however it's clever mixtures of tears of sadness with tears of
laughter is effective in this film.
It is a about Norman, who is a delivery man for Grimsdale Dairies. He begins
becoming irate when a deliver for a larger company begins destroying there bottles
and leaving their own. This leads to a hilarious war.
It brings a tear to one's eye in times, and other times sad things are mixed with
comedy.
Overall, this is a classically hilarious slapstick comedy, show Norman Wisdom's
immense talent
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By P. barton
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
as an ex milkman this means alot, norman is brilliant as always, he is manic and sad at the same time, and watch for the sequence with the fire brigade simply superb, without a doubt this is wachable over and over again, and this is great value as there are two great films on this disc
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By ruralbuyer
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Another in the Norman Wisdom series of comedies from the 50's and 60's. In The Early Bird Norman is a milkman who finds himself in competition with a rival dairy.
Press For Time finds Norman in Devon working on a newspaper, this is a really lovely setting for the usual type of escapade from Norman.
Both good films.
Press For Time finds Norman in Devon working on a newspaper, this is a really lovely setting for the usual type of escapade from Norman.
Both good films.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Tony Winter
Format:DVD
If you want an hour an a half in the comfort zone, there are many many classic films you can choose from, but if you want laughter NON-STOP, then Norman Wisdom is the man who can do this for you, and this classic film will CERTAINLY keep you laughing.
In The Early Bird, Norman reprises his role as Pitkin, in his first colour movie, and once again works for Mr Grimsdale. This time the duo are running a small dairy called Grimsdales, providing a little personal service to the public, and are under threat to closure, from rival dairy company, Consolidated Dairies. Consolidated pull out all the stops to try and put Grimsdales out of business, but Norman tries his hardest to put a stop to all of their plans, resulting in hiliarious antics, which will have you holding your sides with laughter. Pitkin and Grimsdale waking up in the morning to start the days work, in a silent scene, with both of them falling down stairs, and blowing up the bathroom, Pitkin having a journey on the back of a runaway lawnmower, totally destroying Mr Hunters prize and joy garden, Pitkin taking his horse to bed with him, trying to do the round with a hand cart and milk churn, with the hand cart getting destroyed on a level crossing, Pitkin dressed up as a vicar, and having a crazy game of golf with Mr Hunter, and then Pitkin taking charge of a fire at Consolidated Dairies.
In Press For Time, Norman has a newspaper stand outside Westminster Tube Station, and goes to work for a small local newspaper in a town called Tinmouth. Here, he gets caught up between the political differences of the labour and conservative parties, where both the leaders take advantage of him, using him to get themselves and their parties voted into leadership.... Read more ›
In The Early Bird, Norman reprises his role as Pitkin, in his first colour movie, and once again works for Mr Grimsdale. This time the duo are running a small dairy called Grimsdales, providing a little personal service to the public, and are under threat to closure, from rival dairy company, Consolidated Dairies. Consolidated pull out all the stops to try and put Grimsdales out of business, but Norman tries his hardest to put a stop to all of their plans, resulting in hiliarious antics, which will have you holding your sides with laughter. Pitkin and Grimsdale waking up in the morning to start the days work, in a silent scene, with both of them falling down stairs, and blowing up the bathroom, Pitkin having a journey on the back of a runaway lawnmower, totally destroying Mr Hunters prize and joy garden, Pitkin taking his horse to bed with him, trying to do the round with a hand cart and milk churn, with the hand cart getting destroyed on a level crossing, Pitkin dressed up as a vicar, and having a crazy game of golf with Mr Hunter, and then Pitkin taking charge of a fire at Consolidated Dairies.
In Press For Time, Norman has a newspaper stand outside Westminster Tube Station, and goes to work for a small local newspaper in a town called Tinmouth. Here, he gets caught up between the political differences of the labour and conservative parties, where both the leaders take advantage of him, using him to get themselves and their parties voted into leadership.... Read more ›
By Kay8255
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Bought this for my brother..changing his old VHS collection at last! Really good price...will be ordering more of these type of films.
By R. Mitra
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I had vague remembrances of the Norman Wisdom movies, which I saw when I was in college. None of them are on Netflix. Finally I tracked them down of Amazon UK. Amazing! Beautiful, funny and pure nostalgia. Slapstick at its best. Norman is better than Sidney James in the Carry on series. Time flies when one watches these.
A word for the US customers, don't buy these unless you have a DVD player that can play all region DVDs. Those are quiet inexpensive now.
For old lang syne
A word for the US customers, don't buy these unless you have a DVD player that can play all region DVDs. Those are quiet inexpensive now.
For old lang syne
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
norman wisdon the eary bird/press for time
a very good dvd we are big fans off normans so it great to have 2 dvds for the price i paid it was well paked and sealed highly recommended
Published 9 months ago by kaz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Terrific classic movie.. Buy this
If you a fan of norman wisdom then Early bird is a must. All classic. If only today we had the choice to get milk delivered by horse and cart. My kids would love it. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mr. Sd Herbert
5.0 out of 5 stars
Norman Wisdom's best movie
This in my opinion is Norman Wisdom's best movie and it was the first movie I saw and it made me laugh from start to finish. Read more
Published on 7 Jun 2011 by Mr. Alan M. Foster
5.0 out of 5 stars
Early Bird DVD
The DVD arrived in excellent condition and works perfectly. I am very pleased with this product and Amazon's service in getting it to me. Well done. Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2011 by Hagar
5.0 out of 5 stars
Norm, the Genius
Norman Wisdom, one of the best english actors ,quite simply if you feel you need a laugh,an Ah! and an ooh! Read more
Published on 27 Dec 2010 by Mrs. V. E. Venn
5.0 out of 5 stars
You're right Pitkin. We'll fight them, to the last half pint of milk!
You're right Pitkin. We'll fight them, to the last half pint of milk!
The opening sequence is an extended sketch of Pitkin getting up making a cup of tea for his boss Mr... Read more
The opening sequence is an extended sketch of Pitkin getting up making a cup of tea for his boss Mr... Read more
Published on 28 Aug 2009 by Peter Wade
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