Big Red Book

Celebrating television's This Is Your Life

  

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THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Norman Wisdom, comedian and actor, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews as he arrived at St Margaret's Tavern in Twickenham to celebrate his 72nd birthday with friends.

Norman, who was born in Paddington, London, developed his comedy skills by entertaining his Army mates while serving with the Royal Corps of Signals during the Second World War. Having made his debut as a professional entertainer after the war, his rise to fame was swift. By the late 1940s, he was appearing in London's West End to huge acclaim, displaying his skill for physical comedy with his character of the Gump in his ill-fitting suit and cloth cap.

He made a string of popular and highly successful low-budget star vehicle comedy films throughout the 1950s and 1960s, starting with Trouble in Store in 1953. His Tony Award nomination in 1966 for his performance in the Broadway musical comedy Walking Happy led to his starring role in the Hollywood movie The Night They Raided Minsky's.

Norman Wisdom was a subject of This Is Your Life on two occasions – previously surprised by Eamonn Andrews in December 1957 at the Playhouse Theatre in Manchester.

"But I came to enjoy myself!"

programme details...

• Edition No: 722
• Subject No: second timer
• Broadcast date: Wed 11 Feb 1987
• Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
• Recorded: Wed 4 Feb 1987
• Venue: Teddington Studios
• Series: 27
• Edition: 18
• Code name: Laugh

on the guest list...

• Billy Marsh
• Henry Cooper
• Davy Kaye
• Jon Pertwee
• Derek Batey
• David Lodge
• Bernie Clifton
• Freddie Davies
• Bill Pertwee
• Percy Edwards
• Ben Warriss
• Vince Hill
• Charlie Chester
• Roy Castle
• Jacqui - daughter
• Nick - son
• Jack Bangay
• Patrick Dickinson
• The Beverley Sisters
• Maureen Swanson, Countess of Dudley
• Freddie Starr
• Roger 'Tiny' Willetts
• Lana Morris
Filmed tributes:
• Bernard Delfont
• Bruce Forsyth
• Jason Robards

related appearances...

• Gracie Fields - Mar 1960
• David Nixon - Dec 1973
• Paddie O'Neil - Jan 1980
• William Roache - Oct 1985
• Gary Wilmot - Dec 1986
• Billy Marsh - Mar 1990
• Honor Blackman - Feb 1993
• Ron Moody - May 1994
• Reg Gutteridge - May 1994
• Stan Boardman - Nov 1995
• Rick Wakeman - Nov 1998
• The Night of 1000 Lives - Jan 2000
• Todd Carty - Nov 2000
• John van Weenen - Feb 2001
• Kevin Woodford - May 2001

production team...

• Researcher: Christine Fanthome
• Writer: Roy Bottomley
• Directors: Terry Yarwood, Michael D Kent
• Associate Producer: Brian Klein
• Producer: Malcolm Morris

• names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

related pages...

Norman Wisdom

first tribute

It's a Funny Old Life

it's all about the comedy

Life Second Time Around

surprised again!

The Night of 1000 Lives

a celebration of a thousand editions

The Beverley Sisters

Charlie Chester

Henry Cooper

Vince Hill

Billy Marsh

Bill Pertwee

Jon Pertwee

Interviews

Nick Wisdom, son of Norman Wisdom, recalls this edition of This Is Your Life in an exclusive interview recorded in March 2012

Screenshots of Norman Wisdom This Is Your Life - and a photograph of Norman Wisdom's big red book