Acting
Vaudeville is a 1997 PBS documentary under its American Masters program. Using film clips and photos, the art and history of vaudeville (1890-1930s) is illustrated.
A disgraced school master, Benjamin Twist, is mistaken for a tough prison governor and assigned the charge of a prison for particularly hardened criminals. Believing he is being sent to a school rather than a prison, he celebrates accordingly only to find that his drunkenness accidently lands him on the wrong side of the prison bars. The Governorship is eventually restored to him, and he sets about popularising himself amongst the convicts by turning a blind eye to their shady dealings.
Musical featuring radio and variety stars on holiday, who help a village vicar stage a local concert.
Ludvig Brandstrup is a radio announcer and performs with great experience in front of the microphone. But the director is not exactly taking care of his duties; he has forgotten to inform the artists who will assist with the broadcast. This forgetfulness is a very serious blunder. On top of that, an award-winning radio play, "Where is Jensen?", is to be broadcast, and now the actors are missing. Brandstrup is desperate and distraught, until he gets the bright idea to play all the roles himself.
A series of 19 musical and comedy "vaudeville" sketches presented in the form of a live television broadcast hosted by Tommy Handley (as himself).
'Club-owner crashes plane in Arcady, land of truth and beauty.' (British Film Catalogue)
Eve and Peter fall in love at first sight at a New Year's Eve party, but are separated by Eve's jealous fiancé, Ralph. With neither knowing the other's name, they both spend the following day searching frantically for each other around London. Peter's only clue is a set of shop mannequins, all perfect likenesses of Eve - and all made by Ralph's factory.
When a pretty Wren faints in a crowded train, Private Bud Flanagan and Captain Ches Allen are quick to render first aid. But over Bud's head, a heavy kitbag wobbles; it falls and scores a direct hit, knocking him unconscious. What follows is a dream sequence involving Ches, the Wren and Bud himself in a series of hilarious adventures as well as a magical medley of the duo's best-loved musical numbers!
'Performances from The Charlot Girls, The Kasbecks, The Balalaika Choral Orchestra, and Teddy Brown and his Orchestra.' (British Film Institute)
An American of generous girth, Teddy Brown (born Abraham Himmelbrand, 1900-1946) also played saxophone and drums, and worked with the New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra for 4 years before turning to dance-band work. He finally achieved popularity in cabaret and variety with his xylophone act.
