The Square Peg (1958)

Overview

The Square Peg is one of Norman Wisdom’s most iconic films and the first in which he played multiple roles. Released in 1958, the film blends wartime hijinks, mistaken identity, and classic slapstick to create a charming and farcical comedy that remains one of the most popular entries in Wisdom’s long career. While it may follow a formula familiar to Wisdom’s fans, it also stands out for its tight direction, solid supporting cast, and a plot that parodies wartime thrillers with affectionate absurdity.

This film is not just another goofy comedy—it’s a gently satirical take on British bureaucracy, military life, and wartime gallantry, all filtered through the lens of Norman Wisdom’s lovable underdog character.

Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)

Norman Pitkin (Norman Wisdom) is a humble, accident-prone roadmender working under the gruff Mr. Grimsdale (Edward Chapman), who is himself a petty, self-important overseer of municipal works. When the pair are sent to carry out roadwork near a British army base during World War II, Norman accidentally gets caught up in military business, ultimately ending up in occupied France as part of a secret mission.

Through a series of mix-ups and slapstick mishaps, Norman is mistaken for General Schreiber, a Nazi officer who happens to be his doppelgänger. With his resemblance to the general, Norman is drawn into an increasingly ridiculous plot involving disguises, resistance fighters, and undercover sabotage. What follows is a chaotic but entertaining escapade that sees Norman unintentionally becoming a war hero—despite his best efforts.

Tone and Style

The film is a broad comedy-farce, aimed squarely at a post-war British audience who had grown up with tales of wartime bravery and bungled bureaucracy. The tone is light, but the humour ranges from visual gags and physical comedy to satirical jabs at military pomposity and administrative ineptitude.

Director John Paddy Carstairs, who collaborated frequently with Wisdom, maintains a breezy pace and ensures that the film never lingers too long on one gag. The humour is very much of its era—clean, exuberant, and unapologetically silly—but there’s also a sly intelligence behind the absurdity.

Direction and Writing

The direction is brisk and efficient, with Carstairs demonstrating a solid command of comic timing and narrative rhythm. Scenes are kept tight, and transitions between set pieces are smooth, allowing the comedy to flow organically. The film relies heavily on Norman Wisdom’s unique comedic energy, but the supporting structure holds up well.

Writers Jack Davies and Henry Blyth provide a script filled with clever misunderstandings, classic double-takes, and punchy one-liners. The screenplay gives Wisdom ample room to shine while incorporating enough plot to keep the story engaging beyond its slapstick roots.

Performances

Norman Wisdom as Norman Pitkin / General Schreiber

This is Norman Wisdom at the peak of his comedic powers. As Pitkin, he’s wide-eyed, innocent, endlessly clumsy—but always well-meaning. The character is very much in the vein of the “little man” archetype Wisdom perfected: the underdog who, by accident and persistence, triumphs over authority.

What elevates this performance is his dual role as the sinister and clipped General Schreiber—a wonderful parody of stereotypical Nazi villains. Wisdom’s ability to switch from slapstick naivety to cold menace showcases surprising range and adds a new layer to his usual antics.

Edward Chapman as Mr. Grimsdale

Chapman returns in one of his most famous roles as the exasperated Grimsdale, a foil to Norman’s madness. Their dynamic is classic: the fussy, rule-bound superior and the well-meaning chaos agent under his charge. Chapman’s pomposity and dry delivery are perfect counterpoints to Wisdom’s physicality.

Honor Blackman as Lesley Cartland

Honor Blackman (later famous as Pussy Galore in Goldfinger) brings glamour and poise as a resistance member who supports Norman’s accidental mission. She plays the role straight, lending credibility and a sense of stakes to an otherwise wacky adventure. Her presence grounds the film just enough to make the absurdity work.

Cinematography and Production Design

The film, though modest in budget, makes excellent use of its sets and locations. There’s a strong contrast between the dreary British towns and the stylized “Occupied France” settings, complete with moody lighting and faux-European architecture. The contrast enhances the farcical fish-out-of-water effect as Norman stumbles through spy rings and Nazi command posts.

The cinematography is clean and serviceable, rarely flashy, but always functional in highlighting the physical gags and chase sequences. One standout moment is a sequence involving a chase through a fortress—a masterclass in timing, camera angles, and comedy choreography.

Themes and Subtext

While it’s primarily a comedy, The Square Peg does contain deeper thematic elements:

The Everyman as Hero: Like many Wisdom films, it celebrates the underdog who, despite lacking power or intelligence, has heart and good intentions—and that’s enough to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.

Mocking Military Formality: From officious British officers to over-the-top Nazis, the film gently mocks the pageantry and rigidity of military structures.

Wartime Nostalgia and Subversion: Released over a decade after WWII ended, the film taps into nostalgia for the war years, but filters it through parody and slapstick, allowing audiences to laugh at what had once been deadly serious.

Legacy and Influence

The Square Peg is widely regarded as one of Norman Wisdom’s most successful and beloved films. It was a huge box-office hit in the UK, cementing his popularity and leading to a string of similar comedies.

Internationally, the film gained surprising popularity in the Eastern Bloc, especially in Albania, where Wisdom’s working-class hero persona was championed as a symbol of the proletariat triumphing over authority. This led to him being one of the few Western entertainers officially approved by communist regimes—a testament to the universal appeal of his comedic style.

The film has endured as a staple of British television, especially on public holidays and Sunday afternoon slots. It continues to be discovered by new generations who appreciate its physical humour, gentle satire, and enduring charm.

Conclusion

The Square Peg is a lovingly absurd, cleverly structured wartime comedy that captures the genius of Norman Wisdom while also poking fun at the serious world of war films. It mixes farce with innocence, allowing audiences to enjoy both laugh-out-loud moments and satirical jabs at authority.

It’s a great entry point into the Wisdom canon and a fine example of how British comedy in the post-war years could be playful, political, and purely entertaining—all at once.