The Early Bird (1965)

The Early Bird is directed by Robert Asher and stars Norman Wisdom, Edward Chapman, Jerry Desmonde & Paddie O'Neil. Grimsdale's Dairy, an old fashioned company who still deliver milk by horse and cart, are under threat of closure by the modern conglomerate that is Consolidated Dairies. But milkman Norman Pitkin (Wisdom) will not take it lying down; chaos ensues.Norman Wisdom was an acquired taste, he was very much in the vein of Jerry Lewis from across the pond. His comedy staple was pratfalling and playing a lovable but hapless guy who constantly causes mayhem where ever he goes. Much like Lewis, the debates have always raged about if the comedy on offer was borderline genius or just standard buffoonery. The answer to which is naturally up to the individual observer to decide. What isn't up for debate is that Wisdom's film's, mostly, are perfect family fare that are agreeably watchable at any time of year.The Early Bird is Wisdom's first feature film in colour, the title is derived from the saying "the early bird catches the worm". It sees Wisdom re-teamed with Chapman, Asher & Desmonde who all feature prominently in Wisdom's big screen output. As it is, The Early Bird is one of the most fondly remembered film's that Wisdom did. And rightly so because it contains some comedy gold moments to enjoy. Opening with a delightful 10 minute sequence that contains no dialogue, the film then pitches Wisdom into a number of truly great comedy scenes. A rampaging petrol lawnmower, a golf match interruption, Norman leading his horse up the stairs to bed; and the pièce de résistance that is the finale as a fire is believed to have broken out at the towering Consolidated Dairies building. All acted with comedic gusto by Wisdom and the cast thrust into the ensuing chaos. Lest we forget, also, the moral at the core of the writing too, this may be comedy unbound but it's also a sharp observation on the changing of the times and the sad disappearance of the little businesses. While the painted sets showcase a talent that's sometimes forgotten in this day and age of CGI enhancement.A delightful comedy from a delightful and much respected entertainer. The kind of which is now impossible to replace. 8/10

Mention the name Norman Wisdom to many and the chances are the first thing they think of is of him in that ill-fitting 'gump' suit, mugging frantically, falling over to the strangulated cry of 'Mr.Grimsdale!'. Comedy film fans may make the sign of the cross at his name, but the fact is he was the No.1 British box office star for well over a decade.There is nothing pretentious about him or his films. You do not need to be 'in' on the joke because there is nothing to be in on. Now it is very different - unfunny material can make millions for its creators as long as it is perceived to be 'cutting-edge'. Norman's brand of knockout comedy was old hat even in his hey-day, owing a debt to silent era comics such as Chaplin and Keaton. But he soon put on his own stamp on the genre, finding out what worked for him and what did not.His regular 'stooges' were Edward Chapman as his boss, the aforementioned 'Mr.Grimsdale', and long-faced Jerry Desmonde as the pompous authority figure whose side Norman becomes a thorn in.'The Early Bird' was the last time all three appeared together. It came along at a time when British film comedy was becoming less and less family oriented ( look at 1966's 'Doctor In Clover' and compare it with the earlier Dirk Bogarde ones ). Norman tried to move with the times by going into colour, and then parted company with his producer Hugh Stewart, who went on to make three pictures with Morecambe and Wise.Norman once more is 'Pitkin', this time a milkman for Grimsdale's Dairies, a small-town firm under threat from the much-bigger 'Consolidated Dairies'. When he finds broken bottles on his round, it amounts to a declaration of war.Consolidated Dairies's top milkman is 'Austin' ( Brian Pringle ), and when they confront one another in a deserted street it is like 'High Noon' all over again. "Little men like you do not stand a chance!", sneers Austin, before landing a nasty-looking punch to Pitkin's jaw. But when the 'little man' is Norman, he is in with more than just a chance. Right, that's the premise established. What about the slapstick? Well, Norman is dragged through Desmonde's garden on an out of control lawnmower, disguises himself as a vicar to gatecrash Desmonde's game of golf with 'The Colonel' ( John Le Mesurier ), eats doped apples intended for his horse Nellie ( a sequence more disturbing than all 75 minutes of Roger Corman's 'The Trip' ), falls downstairs goodness knows how many times, and manages to nearly demolish Consolidated Dairies's H.Q. No wonder Norman was offered the role of 'Frank Spencer' before Michael Crawford.Corny? Yes. But there's nothing wrong with corn. Despite the many fun moments, Norman's popularity was in rapid decline. His next picture - 'Press For Time' - combined the knockabout stuff with a half-hearted attempt at political satire, and his 1969 offering 'What's Good For The Goose' saw him shedding the cloth-cap ( along with everything else ) by jumping into bed with Sally Geeson of 'Bless This House'.Whether you like 'The Early Bird' depends on whether you like Norman, and to many he is simply is not funny. But he gave a lot of pleasure to an awful of people - including the entire population of Albania - and I suspect his cheap and cheerful movies will still be gracing Saturday afternoons long after the 'cutting-edge' stuff has been forgotten.

I would thoroughly disagree with any negative review for this film ! A Technicolour '60's masterpiece of the British film comedy genre. Just lighten up and suspend your cynicism (a must for most of Norman Wisdom's films), and enjoy the "Crackerjack" style slapstick. Jerry Desmonde is just perfect as the hard nosed multinational windbag boss, Bryan Pringle is the ultimate uber-villain Milkman, and the scenes with the drug-filled Apple are mind-alteringly wonderful. If only for the golfing scenes with the sublime John Le Mesurier, and obvious matte shots of the dairy, this an innocent treasure. C'mon you hard bitten folks, this is Perfect Sunday afternoon fayre to watch in your armchair as you let your Sunday dinner go down !

The Early Bird is the one where Norman Wisdom plays a Milkman. I found this quite funny.Wisdom works for the Grimsdale Dairy, a small family run concern. He uses a horse and cart as his float. A large modern dairy then opens up and its milkmen start taking the same round as Grimsdale's and this threatens the future of the small business. Plenty of chaos before the two bosses come to an agreement at the end, reprieving Wisdom's horse in the process.The Early Bird certainly has its moments and I've never seen this sort of thing happen with the milkman who comes round where I live (yet!). One part I thought which was a little too daft is where the horse sleeps in Wisdom's bed.Joining Wisdom in the cast are Edward Chapman as Mr Grimsdale, Dad's Army star John Le Measurer and Frank Thornton (Are You Being Served?, Last Of the Summer Wine).Have a good laugh with The Early Bird.Rating: 3 stars out of 5.