British Pathe

c 1955

This is a duplicate copy of documentary also found on tape PM1863 and PM1864 - this version has been transferred from neg so is better copy. Footage is in slightly different order in this version.

Pathe retrospective. This reel shows stars who made an early appearance in the...

c 1955

This is a duplicate copy of documentary also found on tape PM1863 and PM1864 - this version has been transferred from neg so is better copy. Footage is in slightly different order in this version.

Pathe retrospective. This reel shows stars who made an early appearance in the Pathe Pictorial and artists. Library material used should be found in more complete versions elsewhere.

Reel 6.

"Trilby" is announced to have been one of the first "star vehicles" at the theatre. Phyllis Neilson Terry was Trilby and Lyn Harding her Svengali. We see scenes from the show - very dramatic acting style. Trilby sings her famous song "Sweet Alice Ben Bolt". Billy Merson is seen in extracts from "The Whirl of the World" at The Palladium in London. Billy with a false moustache preening his hairdo, posing and flexing his muscles. We then see Nellie Wallace in C/U. Shots of the entire troupe. Narrator states that Nervo and Knox were also part of the troupe. They do lots of silly falling over acrobatics.

Excerpts from "Princess Charming" at the Palace Theatre, London with George Grossmith (faded from the memory of many present day theatregoers). He plays a soldier and there is much posturing and dramatic acting from his female co-star (Winnie Melville?). "The Lady of the Rose" at the Daly's Theatre where Phyllis Dare and Harry Welchman ham it up in a romance scene with chasing, coy behaviour, passionate kiss etc.

Moments from "Charlot's Masquerade" at the Cambridge Theatre are featured. We see Beatrice Lillie performing a comedy skit on roller skates. Then in "Thark" at the New Aldwych theatre we see Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn getting into bed together then fighting over the bedclothes. One of the duo falls out of the bed.

We then see Leslie Henson in "Kid Boots" at the Winter Garden Theatre in London. Leslie is given a very rough and tumble massage by a doctor played by Diana Wilson. We then see the "unforgettable moment when London discovered a new star - Gracie Fields" - we see Gracie playing a maid who trips up one of her employer's guests. These may be the missing shots from "Short Shots from "The Show's the Thing." Gracie Fields does lots of gurning and silly walks and gestures including sticking her tongue out at the guests. She cleans some glasses with a feather duster.

Miss Jose Collins allows us to peep at some of her frocks from "The Last Waltz" at the Gaiety Theatre. Various shots of Jose being mauled by an over-amorous suitor in a military uniform. He tries to kiss her. She gets down on her knees imploring him with many dramatic gestures. Another man appears and she is torn between the two of them. C/U of the three laughing. "Rose Marie" a musical at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane is featured - the female star is not identified, I believe it is Edith Day. Billy Merson does a funny little dance in front of the chorus girls.

Henry Ainley appears in "Hassan" at His Majesty's Theatre in London. He brandishes a large sword and poses as if about to strike Cathleen Nesbitt. Much dramatic acting, he throws down his sword and collapses on the ground, she falls down beside him and they embrace. C.B. Cochran's great star Delysia appears in "Mayfair and Montmatre" at the New Oxford Theatre in London. Various shots of the star in a glamorous revealing outfit tied up and writhing! The chorus dance around in ornate costumes. A man in a loincloth grabs Delysia and kisses her passionately.

Jack Hulbert and Cicely Courtneidge dance in "By the Way" from the Apollo Theatre in London. They are dressed in top hat and tails. Jack Buchanan and June dance in Boodle at the Empire Theatre in London. The Midnight Follies from the Metropole feature Bobby Howes and Tim O'Connor. One of the two does a tap dance (I think this is Howes - SL). The comedian playing the waiter (O'Connor?) slips around and almost drops the food. Vera Bryer does a high kick routine. Estelle Brody and Rupert Rogers dance together then he gives her a piggy back off stage.