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.
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
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.
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.
Absolutely brilliant,Bruce and Norman on top form
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
Classics British comedy with two of the greats, both sadly gone but sorely missed and will never be forgotten.
Just brilliant 😄❤️
One of the greatest comedy sketches ever. Timeless.
This is TIMELESS. My 7 year old daughter was fascinated by it. Absolutely loved it. We're going to recreate this scene when we next decorate the house
OMG This was my fav comedy person of all time and it was a sad day when he left our world. I grew up watching all his films and comedy sketches.
Only one word to describe it. FANTASTIC!. Couldn't stop laughing 😂👍
Sheer british comedy . such a funny sketch from two great men. Beloved bruce and norman god bless. Rip.
This is classic gold, 2 of our most treasured, ❤️ em n miss em both.. stil funny 2day! 😂
So funny great show ❤
It'll never happen again - they topped the best.
how can anyone hate this. He was the best ever
Classical and the best. You can never ever forget this every time you see it you can’t stop laughing Norman was the star Bruce was the ally
From the music to the slapstick it has real echoes of Vaudeville and Laurel and Hardy. Loved Norman Wisdom films growing up
this is classic! I freaking love these sight gags. So much fun
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
I remember this particular show well.
Tremendous entertainment from the pair of them.
The funniest bit was the Beat the Clock part.
Norman went on to record "Narcissus" with the late great Joyce Grenfell. That also made me cry with laughter. RIP Brucie. xx
British comedy at it's very best, this sketch as never been bettered
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.
RIP Bruce. Legend
This is proper entertainment, compare it with those rubbish overblown "talent" shows they have now. Sir Norman and Sir Bruce ROCK!
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
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.
legends passed ...r.i.p guys
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.
Cheers Bruce, you will be missed
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..🐋
Pure quality.🤣
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
This is real comedy.
RIP Bruce
A piece of comedy TV magic
Brilliant stuff. Yes the main music is narcissus, the few seconds where they dance quickly is called see me dance the polka
RIP Brucie :(
I remember seeing this some years ago, and Norman knocked over the glue bucket, and skated on it as if on ice.
Slapstick at it's funiest, a touch of laurel and Hardy. Norman Wisod at his best and fantastic Bruce Forsyth.
Bryan Dale wisod?
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!
Gran kept the rubber hammer for years but went in rubbish years later👍
Norman Wisdom -
- The Clown Prince.
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.
Not quite - he was supposed to get soaked, but the bucket was supposed to be pushed over by the brush, except Bruce dropped it!
btw it really feels like this when you try to do it by yourself ....simple things turn into disasters....good !!!
When you watch this and think of the sitcoms that came after it in the following years. You gave to ask. What the hell happened to British comedy?
@tommyfowler It's called Narcissus, and it was written by Ethelbert Nevin.
English tradesmen! =D
If you like this then check out "Dinner for One" with another great English artist, Freddie Frinton. Apparently is shown every year in Germany.
What year?
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
Sent before I'd finished. 🙄I was wondering if this was what he saw.
Does anyone know the name of the tune playing in the background?
Does anyone the music that's being played in the background?
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.
Wheres me washboard then?
EXSELLENTS
A dangerous sketch when you think about it.. Brucie could easily have slipped on the top of that ladder..
Indeed, when Norman did the sketch in his stage show back in the 40s, his co-star slipped off the ladder and broke his ankle.
Such innocent fun
Can anybody tell me what the piece of music is being played to accompany this sketch please?
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.
that's incorrect. It's Narcissus, as explained by an earlier comment.
Does anyone know the accompanying musical score to this sketch?
Bit late but it's
czcams.com/video/IDPIuV-wOvE/video.html
or
czcams.com/video/wBelu7wuY7Q/video.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissus_(music)
only laurel and hardy couldve done it better
Wow, Like so many of the latest visitors, I only heard about this show today. Unscripted (there was a strike) it made Bruce's name!