On the Beat (1962)
Directed by Robert Asher
Genres - Comedy |
Sub-Genres - Crime Comedy, Detective Film, Slapstick |
Release Date - Jan 1, 1963 (USA) |
Run Time - 101 min. |
Countries - United Kingdom |
MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson
One's enjoyment of On the Beat rests solely upon one's tolerance of British comedian Norman Wisdom, who can be described as a Jerry Lewis without the discipline. Wisdom plays a Scotland Yard parking attendant who seemingly can't draw breath without breaking something or knocking someone down. He wants to become a detective, but the Yard isn't quite ready for such a catastrophe. He proves his worth--and wreaks more havoc--by going undercover and trapping a gang of jewel thieves. The slapstick is serviceable in On the Beat; as for the "serious" moments, Wisdom's notion of pathos is to scream at the top of his lungs. You may want to join him.
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Keywords
parking-lot-attendant, Scotland-Yard, assumed-identity, detective, undercover, police, beautician, gangster, investigation, lookalike