British Vintage Music Films

Films featuring British Dance Bands, 1929-1949

this page first published by John Wright, 18 Sept 1997
last update 15 dec 2001vintage@jabw.demon.co.uk

As well as on records, dance band music was recorded for films during the 78 rpm era. This page begins the list of early sound films known to feature British dance bands, with the titles of songs and music featured in the films.

Note: there is also a list of movies who had a danceband leader as MD but in which I have yet to establish if bands are seen and heard in those movies, see Dance Band MD's.
Also many Shorts and Newsreels featured bands.

A - C

Recent updates to danceband listing:

Updates from 'Jazz In The Movies' by David Meeker (1972)
Updates from Terry Brown, 1999
TV means has been shown on television
V is also available on video

If you can add to this list, can fill in any of the gaps or if you know of websites or books dealing with old movies that might have useful information then please e-mail me.
Lists in this format (c) John A B Wright/Terry Brown, 1999-2001

Major films featuring British dance bands: A-C

FILM DATE FEATURING
Appointment With Crime 1946 Buddy Featherstonhaugh & his sextet
Lew Stone and his band
Elizabeth Webb

Herbert Lom, William Hartnell, Robert Beatty
Around the Town Jun '38 Maurice Winnick's Band
Vic Oliver
Tin Pan Alley Trio
Elisabeth Welch,
Les Carew
Pat McCormack
The Rhthym Sisters
The Three Hillbillies
Terry’s Juveniles
Al and Bob Harvey
Jimmy Kennedy
Michael Carr

Atlantic 1929 John Reynders Orch
(British International Symphonic Orchestra

Aunt Sally Dec '33 Debroy Somers Band
Cicely Courtenidge
Billy Milton
Leslie Holmes
Carlyle Cousins

Band Waggon Jan '40 Jack Hylton Orch
Arthur Askey
Pat Kirkwood
Bruce Trent
Freddy Schweitzer
Forsythe, Seamon and Farrell

TV
Battle For Music 1943 Jack Hylton (without band)
Big Business Sept '30 Arthur Roseberry's Band (augmented/symphonic)
Claude Hulbert
Francis Day
Leslie 'Hutch' Hutchinson
Leon Cortez with Giggie
The Big Noise Mar '36 Reginald Foresythe Band
Norah Howard
Alistair Sim

Bill and Coo Jun '31 Herman Darewski and his band
Billy Merson

Bitter Sweet 1933 Lew Stone and his Band
Ivy St Helier
Stuart Robertson

The Blue Danube Aug '31 Alfred Rode and his Tzigane Band
Brigitte Helm
Joseph Schildkraut

Boots Boots 1934 Harry Hudson and his band
George and Beryl Formby

TV
Brewster's Millions July '35 Geraldo and his Sweet Music (?)
Jack Buchanan

Britannia Of Billingsgate July '33 Roy Fox's Kit-Kat Band ?
Mike Taylor reports not seeing the band when he viewed the film

Violet Lorraine
Gordon Harker

Cabaret 1943 Reginald King and his Orch.
Cafe Colette Jul '36 Cafe Colette Orch.
Bruce Seton
Sally Gray
Calling All Crooks May '38 The Gypsy Revellers
Duggie Wakefield
Billy Nelson
Calling All Stars Mar '37 Bert Ambrose Orch
Sam Browne
Evelyn Dall
Carroll Gibbons' Savoy Hotel Orpheans
Eugene Pini and his Tango Orch

Elizabeth Welch
Buck & Bubbles
The Nicholas Brothers
Turner Layton
Billy Bennett
Larry Adler
Leslie Carew
Canadian Batchelors

Calling The Tune July '36 Reginald Foresythe Band
Clifford Evans
Adele Dixon
George Robey
Charles Penrose

Call Me Mame June '33 Carroll Gibbons' Savoy Hotel Orpheans
Edith Livesey
John Batten
Captain's Orders Aug '37 Jack Hart and his Band
Henry Edwards
Jane Carr
The Chance Of A Night-Time 1931 Roy Fox and his band(?) (is heard but not seen)
Al Bowlly is seen and heard.

Ralph Lynn

Lew Stone, MD
Charing Cross Road 1935 Percival Mackey's Orch (?)
Arthur Young and his Tzigane Band (?)

June Clyde
John Mills
Belle Baker
Cheerio Oct '35 Billy Merrin & His Commanders
Ken Crossley, Jimmy and Alice Dey

Cheer Up 1936 Percival Mackey and his Band
Stanley Lupino
Sally Gray
Chinese Cabaret Jan '36 Hal Fox and his band
Clap Hands Mar '35 Charlie Kunz,
Teddy Brown

Comets 1930 The Golden Serenaders
Elsa Lanchester
The Common Touch Oct '41 Carroll Gibbon's and his Orch.
Sandy McPherson (organ)
Mark Hambourg (piano)
Harry Welchman
Greta Gynt

Go to other listings of films featuring British dance bands:
|| D-G || H-L || M-O || P-S || T-Z ||

feedback needed

There is an active discussion group where you can talk about the great British dance bands:

Subscribe to British dance bands group

or check out the group site first at http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/british-dance-bands/
North America: find a video at Amazon:
search for title:

 Search: Enter keywords...

Amazon.com logo
or browse the website:
In Association with Amazon.com

AMAZON NOTE: North American NTSC format only available.


UK/Europe: find a video at Blackstar:
Search for title, star, director:
www.BlackStar.co.uk - The UK's Biggest Video Store
or click to browse
Blackstar

BLACKSTAR NOTE: European PAL format only available.


Videos of vintage movies are available in UK/Europe PAL system from TVideo Website, check their listings of Musicals and Comedies.


Videos of some of these movies can also be ordered from:

Turner Classic Movies

TCM NOTE: North American NTSC format only available.

Turner Classic Movies TV channel is now available in Britain via Sky Digital


Can you fill in any of the gaps or know any other British movies featuring Jazz or Dance Bands ?

Then please e-mail me.

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