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Don’t Laugh at Me: An Autobiography By Norman Wisdom
£3.20
Norman Wisdom was born in poverty in the East End. By the age of 12 he was a homeless tramp who had to beg and steal to eat. Eventually he joined the Army where he became a boxing champion and also discovered his true vocation as an entertainer. On leaving the Army he blew his savings on a trip to Hollywood where he bluffed his way in to see Charlie Chaplin, who predicted that Norman Wisdom would be the man to take his mantle. This little man in a tight suit and cloth cap was to make over 40 films and became Britain’s most successful comedian of the 1950s and early 1960s. His stories from this time revolve around film greats including Laurel and Hardy, Frank Sinatra, Edward G. Robinson and John Wayne. His song, “Don’t Laugh At Me”, was in the top ten for nine months, hinting at a sadness behind all the success, and his wife Freda was to leave him when, as he says, she found someone tall and good-looking. Now Norman’s film career is reviving with the release of a new film called “Double X”.
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Additional information
| Publisher | Century, 1st edition (24 Sept. 1992) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Hardcover | 224 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0712655905 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0712655903 |
by Marion Thomas
Arrived when expected and in good condition.
by Annie
I loved reading about Norman Wisdom as he is a hero of mine. What he went through in his early life is quite horrendous. Obviously a survivor and a determination to succeed. A great talent and very sadly missed.
by bridgesilver
Excellent book of a life that unfortunately started very badly, but is a superb example of a lonely childhood fight against extreme poverty, how to overcome adversity and turn your life around. This lovely man worked so hard at his craft and I can understand why I have never seen a bad word written about him in the world of showbiz or the newspapers. His good and generous nature was taken for granted more than once; and the old adage “pick yourself up, dust yourself down….” I think was created for him.
I have seen the television homage to him which also involves his grown up children, who both seem to have inherited his genuine humility.
He always inspires me.
The book is not highbrow, but just tells it is as it was for him in his ‘matter of fact’ style and how he accepted what he was dished up and just soldiered on and never gave up on trying to change things for the better for himself, his family and his friends.
A good lesson in humility.
A must read for anyone who loved his films as a child. There is a well hidden sadness behind his clowning around, and this book illustrates well why.
by barbara reed
its in good condition and worth the cash .the story is great a book I can not put down .
by susan hare
Love this book
by plasticman
Love it,what a hard life this little genius had.
Excellent book,and a great true story.Brilliant book ,enjoyed it immensely.
by David Monty
Great biography of a legend, with very detailed account of Normans struggles & rise to fame.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading.
by Des R
Excellent quality for a pre owned book. The life of a much loved and missed funny man in his own words.