jadedalex
I guess I just don't know my British film history. I have never heard of this guy, but I started watching him, and he struck me as quite funny. There is a Stan Laurel vacancy to Mr. Wisdom's face that is quite appealing. I thought he was excellent in his dual role as the mincing and lisping Italian hairdresser. A talented comedian, with a bit of Chaplin's pathos. Is 'On the Beat' biting satire? Is it 'outrageous comedy'? No. It's a pleasant little funny movie.That Mr. Wisdom recalls to mind Stan Laurel is all in his favor. No doubt, the British public has all but forgotten Mr. Wisdom. This type of small, comic entertainment is decidedly 'dated', but that's part of the charm for me.I immediately liked the comic, if familiar character of Norman Wisdom's clumsy, small nobody who is determined to become one of Scotland Yard's finest, just like his father before him. Perhaps Wisdom's work is forgotten because of the predominance of Peter Sellers, who was the reigning comic king of Britain. That's what made watching this film a bit of a nice surprise.
TheLittleSongbird
I have started to become very fond of Norman Wisdom and his work. He has a very endearing wide-eyed innocence about him and his films are funny and quirky. On the Beat I do like a lot. I do think though it runs a little too long, and the story is on the simplistic side of things. However, I loved the luscious black and white photography and well-constructed sets and scenery. The score is suitably quirky, and the script I think is sublime with a nice balance of humour and poignancy. The comedy is quite standard and not always original, but it succeeded in being funny, I especially liked the parts with the stilts and nosey neighbours. Norman Wisdom himself is great as he always is too. All in all, very entertaining film if not quite a favourite. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Andrei Pavlov
Because I'm laughing behind and the reason is this little fella, known as Mr Pitkin...Another hit by the maestro of comedy. I did not like it much when I saw it for the first time mostly due to the fact that I did not understand quite a lot, but later, as I watched it in my native language, I got amazed by Mr Norman Wisdom's genius again.It's damn funny with tons of funny episodes Check out the one with those two nosey neighbours behind the door (the old lady jerks her head and hits the chin of the man - it sounds simply outstanding and looks totally stupid).Great timing and performance... yes, 10 out of 10. No question.
Aaron Hassard
The year is 1962, Norman Wisdom is already a major star in the world of comedy and this movie just really shows how funny this man is!In this Norman Wisdom outing, Norman is playing a police car washer who's life ambition is too become a policeman, but sadly doesn't meet the minimum height to become what he wants so he has to stick washing the cars, poor him :(But Normans fate does not get in his way and so dawns his fathers uniform (yes, his father was a policeman!) modifies it to fit his height and roll on one of the best on foot chase scene you will probably ever see, after Norman is found out he is chased all around town, through gardens and even through Normans house!He is finally cornered and sent to prison...Then Norman thinks out a scheme and with the help of some stilts and his fathers old uniform, heads to the police station to apply for his life long dream, but is found out and told to leave and without his fathers uniform.A while later, Norman is called on by the police to resemble an Italian Jewel Theft (very well played by Norman Wisdom, yes he did play him!) but Norman doesn't like the idea as he won't get a permanent place at the police but after much haggling they finally decide to give Norman a permanent place with the police squad after the Jewel Theft problem.After many hilarious things happening (Norman punching a mirror for example) he somehow manages to get his man and gets him put into custody, leaving the police station very happy and proud of Norman :DSo overall (as my score suggests) i really, really enjoyed this film and recommend it to anyone who's into comedy!