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A unique collection of a British comedy genius

Leicester is the home to a unique collection from Sir Norman Wisdom’s 60-year career.

Sir Norman Wisdom was a hugely influential figure in his day, the most successful comedy actor of the British box office in the 1950s, and in the 1960s his films were a mainstay of the Rank Organisation. Even Charlie Chaplin loved him.

Leicester’s De Montfort University (DMU) is the home to a unique collection of scripts, television features, and radio and theatre programmes from Sir Norman’s 60-year show business career that was gifted by a close friend of the comedian on what would have been his 100th birthday.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Leicester’s Ben Jackson went to delve into the collection with DMU archivist Katharine Short.

Produced by Pete Wardman.

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Clip of ‘The Sandwich Man’ courtesy of Rank Organisation/Titan International Pictures 1966.

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6 minutes