The Square Peg (1958)

A British road repairman gets into a feud with the Army, gets drafted and is mistakenly parachuted into Nazi occupied France where his physical resemblance to the local German commandant triggers a hilarious chain reaction.

Director:

John Paddy Carstairs

Writers:

Jack Davies (original screenplay), Henry Blyth (original screenplay)

Stars:

Norman Wisdom, Honor Blackman, Edward Chapman

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Norman Wisdom	...	Norman Pitkin / General Schreiber
Honor Blackman	...	Lesley Cartland
Edward Chapman	...	Mr. Grimsdale
Campbell Singer	...	Sergeant Loder
Hattie Jacques	...	Gretchen
Brian Worth	...	Henri Le Blanc
Terence Alexander	...	Captain Wharton
John Warwick	...	Colonel Layton
Arnold Bell	...	General Hunt
André Maranne	...	Jean-Claude (as Andre Maranne)
Victor Beaumont	...	Jogenkraut
Frank Williams	...	Captain Ford
Eddie Leslie	...	Medical Officer
Richard Marner	...	German Officer
John G. Heller	...	German Officer at Gatepost

Storyline

Norman and Mr Grimsdale are council workmen mending the road outside an Army base when they come into conflict with the military. Shortly afterwards, they get drafted and fall into the clutches of the Sergeant they have just bested. They are sent to France to repair roads in front of the Allied advance but get captured. Norman takes advantage of a useful similarity to impersonate General Schreiber and manages to return a hero.

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Plot Keywords:

1940s | year 1944 | imposter | drill sergeant | tunneling | 

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Taglines:

The news the enemy dreaded - Wisdom's joined the army.

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Genres:

Comedy | War

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The 7th most popular film in the UK in 1959, and is a "comeback" film for its star Norman Wisdom whose films had been declining in popularity in the past decade.

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Goofs

The dummy that Pitkin stabs and throws on the end of his bayonet moves before he stabs it.

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Quotes

Norman Pitkin: Sorry, only I used to know a girl once, just like you. Well, I didn't exactly know her. I couldn't really, she being what she was and me being what I am.

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits prologue: The Second World War saw many remarkable adventures on sea, on land and in the air. Strangest of all perhaps, was the story of Norman Pitkin, indomitable fighter, rugged individualist and faithful employee of the St. Godric's Borough Council.

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Connections

Referenced in Piccadilly Third Stop (1960)

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Soundtracks

The British Grenadiers
(uncredited)
Traditional
Heard as a theme

User Reviews

A tale of two Pitkin's

I've always liked Norman Wisdom's films - to a point - in every one there was something anarchic to laugh at but unfortunately something maudlin to squirm at too. This was the 6th of Wisdom's 12 "Norman" comedy films, and imho one of his best although I suspect every fan who has seen them all has their own favourites. However from experience there seem to be more perverse people who have seen every film and who hate the lot.

Norman Pitkin as St. Godric's Council employee is digging up the road outside an Army camp during the War, takes the Mick of the soldiers once too often and he and his boss Mr. Grimsdale find themselves conscripted. The slapstick war between Pitkin and Sergeant Campbell Singer continues into his training, until Pitkin and Grimsdale end up in France and the second part of the story begins. Favourite bits: Pitkin ferociously bayoneting the dummies; his bravado pre-parachuting; the General Schreiber double scenes with Hattie Brunnhilde Jacques; marching out of step with his captors. Apart from one mawkish bit in the French café with Honor Blackman there was no romantic musical interlude – although he had a fine singing voice it's still a definite plus! Cheaply made but well disguised, and with a great cast of British stalwarts also on display - missed Jerry Desmonde though!

It's a pleasant time-filler and maybe one of his more accessible films to a non-fan or non-kid which is perhaps one reason why it's probably shown on TV more often than his other black & white's.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English German French

Release Date:

19 December 1958 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

The Square Peg

Filming Locations:

Village Road, Denham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Rank Organisation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1