as a kid i watched this with mum and dad wonderful years later i was a painter /dec when bruce climbed those steps backwards in ordinary shoes amazing timing TIMING TIMING WHAT A GREAT PARE AND BRUCE KEPT HIS FAG ALIGHT R I P BOTH THANKS FOR ALL THE LAUGH,S
Just came across this today. I saw the original programme. They were happy playing for the audience whilst other performers were on strike. This was real comedy.
YES THEY DID THE WHOLE SHOW LIVE NORM PLAYED AROUND 10 MUSICAL INST AT THE END THEY FELL DOWN KNACKERD ON THE TURN TABLE TRUE PRO,S THE SHOW MUST GO ON R I P BOTH
Marvellous sketch, meticulously planned. I used to see them both regularly at my golf club along with Sean Connery and Jimmy Tarbuck. Those were the days.
I am compiling my own DVD disk-archive from valuable clips such as these: I have painstakingly transferred hundreds of hours of mostly British----but with some American-----material from the Golden 50s/60s period,--all my material is obtained exclusively from youtube---- in order to create a valuable library of quality footage for future generations to enjoy. A good percentage of the footage I now own has been deleted from youtube broadcast, making my considerable archive even more important.
I remember this wonderful show,many of the staff at the London Palladium had gone on strike, the show went out live,Norman and Bruce were the only two there,they had little or no time to rehearse what to do,they more or less made it up as they went along.the result was an amazing show..because of thier years of experience the show went on and they saved the day.
Thankyou, a fond non-memory, i.e. I saw this played once or twice in retrospect and enjoyed so very much. As a note also course from what I am told at least, this was also an amazing sketch because both sir norman wisdom and (sir in my mind)bruce forsyth did the whole hour or so, live at the palladium whilst many strikes took place and actors would not perform, in support but as relief to the whole scenario around them. making sure millions of workers had something to relax to that evening!!jon
Pure expression married to perfect timing makes for a majestic viewing experience? My heart smiles with a joyous spring in her a step...The Captain shall retire with glee after the perfect late night tipple..🐋
Reminds me of "The Plank" Eric Sykes,Tommy cooper. et al. Great rehersals. No speaking. Which was great in Erics case. He was totally mutton Jeff. xx Bless them all. xx
In fact - at one point Norman nearly performed the sketch with Stan Laurel! Norman was touring Belgium with a stage show which included the sketch, in the years shortly after WW2. They would spend a week rehearsing in a theatre in the afternoons, while another act performed in the evenings, then they would perform in the evenings the following week, while the following week's act rehearsed in the afternoons. During the Monday evening performance, Norman's partner slipped off the ladder and broke his ankle. Laurel and Hardy happened to be at the theatre (as they were rehearsing for the following week) and when Stan heard what had happened, he offered to stand in for Norman's partner. Unfortunately the theatre manager vetoed it because he didn't want Stan to break his ankle and not be available to perform with Ollie the following week!
You know the bit where he wipes his face with the brush, and then the second time he does it he tips the bucket over his head? Apparently that was an accident and he wasn't supposed to get soaked until the last bit where he pours the paste in to the bucket with holes in.
What date would this of been. I've just come across a letter dated 8th December to my dad, signed, (maybe)by Norman. Apologising for not being able to wave and say hello
the tune in the background is called "Narsissuss / the laughing song. It Was recorded by Norman and Joyce Grenfell back in the 50s. and as the subtitle to the track suggests they both burst out laughing whilst trying to sing it. great stuff.
The Soldiers Chorus, from "Faust" by Gounod. It has a bit of music hall pedigree, having been used to set a lyric entitled "Oh Jemima, look at your uncle Jim..." and quite possibly other songs and routines.
