Norman Wisdom is one of those actors that have always got a mixed reception to his work. Critics universally hated his output but their opinion had absolutely no influence on his success. For a lengthy period in the fifties and sixties he was one of the top UK box office draws with his Pitkin character popping up in a number of over the top comedies. This week sees the DVD release of one of his lesser known films. There Was A Crooked Man was released in 1960 to less than overwhelming success resulting in it being largely forgotten.
Wisdom plays the part of Davy Cooper, an explosives expert who is down on his luck. After a chance encounter with an old friend he is persuaded to become a member of a gang of criminals. Although very reluctant at first he soon takes the work. As jobs become more elaborate and the stakes are raised the inevitable happens and Davy is apprehend mid crime. After a period in the relative calm of prison he is given the opportunity to restart his life in the Northern coastal town of Sleath. There he encounters a criminal of a different kind in the guise of the town mayor who has plans for making a lot of money off the back of selling the town. It is up to Davy and his friends to help save the town even if it means destroying it.
It’s actually understandable why this was seen as a mis-step at the time. It is a totally different type of performance from Wisdom. Up until that point audiences were so used to the Gump character with his bumbling manner and loveable charm that a change like this would not be appreciated by the core audience. Such is the problem for the performer who is trying to stretch their repertoire and range. It was telling that Wisdom immediately returned to the more familiar, if somewhat tired, comedic persona for his subsequent movies.
The first thing that is apparent is that there is a distinct lack of the usual slapstick humour. There are just two scenes where there is any evidence of this. The first is when Davy falls into factory machinery and is rudely spat out the other end, unharmed of course. The second is during the finale. This was a conscious decision to separate this film from the rest of Wisdom’s canon. This, more than anything else, is the cause cited for the poor commercial reception for the film. Personally I find it refreshing as it allows Norman to show off his more subtle skills.
The character of Davy is a complex one. At first he is appalled by the idea of using his skills for criminal activity. Once persuaded at knifepoint he soon sees the benefits and settles more into the life on the wrong side of the law. What he is effectively looking for is stability and a bit of peace. When finally caught by the Police he finds this in prison. In an unusual plot twist he thrives there and ends up not wanting to go. It is rare you see that in films.
With this character the writers were in a position to construct a story that had a good deal of humour attached. The laughs are more situational rather than relying on physical performance and a good balance has been struck allowing the story and the pacing to be the most important part of the film rather than its star performer.
Overall, a film that came as something of a surprise and showcased another side of Norman Wisdom’s talents.
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