Champagne Charlie (1944)

The story of a 19th century English music hall (vaudeville) performer and life behind the scenes.

Director:

Alberto Cavalcanti

Writers:

Austin Melford (original screenplay), John Dighton (original screenplay),

Stars:

Tommy Trinder, Stanley Holloway, Betty Warren

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tommy Trinder	...	George Leybourne, alias Champagne Charlie
Stanley Holloway	...	The Great Vance
Betty Warren	...	Bessie Bellwood
Jean Kent	...	Dolly Bellwood
Austin Trevor	...	The Duke
Peter De Greef	...	Lord Petersfield, son of the Duke
Leslie Clarke	...	Fred Saunders
Eddie Phillips	...	Tom Sayers
Robert Wyndham	...	Duckworth
Guy Middleton	...	Patron
Drusilla Wills	...	Bessie's dresser
Frederick Piper	...	Learoyd
Andreas Malandrinos	...	Gatti
Paul Bonifas	...	Targetino
Joan Carol	...	Cora

Storyline

With London of the 1860s and the gas-lit music halls providing the locale, most of the first half of the film is taken up with either Tommy Trinder or Stanley Holloway singing songs. The plot concerns a feud between two music halls and, then, their joint efforts to keep from being closed by municipal authorities. Supporting the two singing stars are Betty Warren, owner of one of the music halls; her daughter, June Kent, who is in love with a nobleman, and Harry Fowler as a backstage assistant.

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Plot Keywords:

music hall | singing | 1860s | song | nobleman | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 August 1948 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Ealing Studios, Ealing, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ealing Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Film debut of Hazel Court.

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Soundtracks

"Polka"
Music by Lord Berners

User Reviews

Hugely enjoyable, but sadly rather negelcted

This is based on the life of music hall star George Laybourne, tracking his rise from singing in pubs to becoming one of the top entertainers of his day. Although the competition over who had the better drinking song between Laybourne and rival The Great Vance (Stanley Holloway, obviously thoroughly relishing the role) did supposedly take place, the film isn't overly accurate historically and does skim over detail somewhat. On the positive side, this does make room for more songs and the film packs in plenty with the numbers being infectiously catchy and marvellously well delivered. Sadly, this seems to be a somewhat forgotten Ealing film, which is a shame as it gives excellent insight into a decidedly odd, but enjoyable looking form of particularly British entertainment now consigned to history.