Al Bowlly films during 1931-32

some details of two films viewed at the British Film Institute, 27 Sept 1999

this page first published by John Wright, 16 March 2000
last updated 5 May 2007vintage@r2ok.co.uk
The CHANCE OF A NIGHT TIME

Viewing of the film at BFI 27/9/99, John Wright and Ray Pallett.

During an early scene, as people enter a club, a band is heard playing Leave The Rest To Nature.

A black jazz group is seen entering the club. Later they are seen in a room with a white pianist, it's Al Bowlly. Later Al is seen, supposedly playing the piano, and then seen and heard singing Leave The Rest To Nature (50 secs). Then there is a comic scene between Al and Ralph Lynn where they exchange a few words, fall about at the piano, and then walk on to a small stage (35 secs).

In a scene with Ralph Lynn, Al is seen and heard close-up crouching behind a pillar singing Leave The Rest To Nature, while Ralph mimes (music plays 1 min 43secs, during which Al sings for 47 secs). At the end of the performance Al comes on for a bow but Ralph throws him off.

In a Winifred Shotter dance scene, the band is heard playing and Al is heard singing I'm So Used To You Now (Al sings for 40secs). There is just a few seconds seen and heard close-up of Al singing, standing with arms outstretched and swaying.

Later Ralph Lynn sings Land Of The Eskimo. During the final comic scenes a dance band is heard playing incidental music.

A NIGHT LIKE THIS

Viewing of the film at BFI 27/9/99, John Wright and Ray Pallett

During start of film, showing credits and introduction, the band is heard playing part of Hello Mike and In London On A Night Like This.

During a rehearsal scene with dance girls, Lew Stone is heard playing piano, and very briefly seen and heard playing the piano, close-up, turned facing camera with his feet tapping to the music.

Later Al Bowlly plus trio are heard singing with the band In London On A Night Like This (45 secs), band plays for total of 1min 35secs (there is sound from actors during this time).

In a dancing girls scene, the Roy Fox Band is seen and heard on stage playing Considering where Al is seen and heard standing, holding guitar, singing and swaying as he sings (1 min 12secs), no close-ups.

During the film the band is heard playing, and Al is heard singing, If Anything Happened To You (1min 10secs), and for a few seconds Al is seen close-up singing through a megaphone (again this is during film action and there is sound from actors during this time).

During the 'trousers' scene there is incidental music heard, played by the band. And during a dance girls scene the band is heard playing Hello Mike, there is just a glimpse of the band on stage as actors walk past but Al is not seen.

Credits for Chance Of A Night-Time

Title Detail information from James TAYLOR, BFI
Title: The CHANCE OF A NIGHT-TIME
Title Ref: 60690
Directors: Herbert WILCOX, Ralph LYNN
Prod. Country: Great Britain
Year: 1931
Prod. Company:
British and Dominions Film Corporation
Gaumont-British Picture Corporation
Library Synopsis
Comedy. Affianced solicitor poses as partner of professional dancing girl.
Main UDC:
Source Title: The Dippers
Source Mat. Notes: From the play by Ben Travers
Release Country: Great Britain
Release Date: 1931
Format: 35mm Film
Running Time(Mins): 74.0 mins
Length: 6700 feet
Colour Code: Black/white
Sound System: Sound
Language Code: English, Special Collection, Stills
Credits:
Herbert WILCOX - Director
Ralph LYNN - Director
Herbert WILCOX - Director of Productions
James KELLY - Assistant Director
W.P. LIPSCOMB - [Screenplay]
Ben TRAVERS - Original play
F.A. YOUNG (Freddie YOUNG) - Photography
P.M. ROGERS (Maclean ROGERS) - Editing
L.P. WILLIAMS - Art Director
Lady Victor Paget Ltd. - Dresses
L.F. ODELL - Recording Cast:
Ralph LYNN - Henry
Robert ENGLISH - General Rackham
Kenneth KOVE - Swithin
Dino GALVANI - Louis Bolero
Sunday WILSHIN - Stella
Winifred SHOTTER - Pauline
Al BOWLLY - [Singer]
References Listing: (contemporary film reviews)
Picturegoer.vl.n21.17 Oct 1931 p.19 lang.ENG
(c) British Film Institute - SIFT Database.
SONGS (listed in Denis Gifford's book) Leave The Rest To Nature, I'm So Used To You Now

Credits forA Night Like This

Title Detail information from James TAYLOR, BFI
Title: A NIGHT LIKE THIS
Title Ref: 44179
Directors: Tom WALLS
Prod. Country: Great Britain
Year: 1932
Prod. Company:
British and Dominions Film Corporation
Library Synopsis:
An Irish police constable recovers a borrowed necklace from gambling=20 club owner bent on blackmail.
Main UDC:
Release Country: Great Britain
Release Date: 1932
Running Time(Mins): 73.0
Length: 6600 feet
Colour Code: Black/white
Sound System: Sound
Language Code: English, Special Collection, Stills
Credits:
Tom WALLS - Director
Ben TRAVERS - Script
Tom WALLS - Script
W.P. LIPSCOMB - Script
Ben TRAVERS - Original play
Freddie YOUNG - Photography
L.P. WILLIAMS - Art Director
Roy FOX - songs played by
Lew STONE - Music Arranger
Elstree Studios - Studio Cast:
Ralph LYNN - Clifford Tope
Tom WALLS - Michael Mahoney
Winifred SHOTTER - Cora Mellish
Robertson HARE - Miles Tuckett
Mary BROUGH - Mrs Decent
Claude HULBERT - Archie Slott
Boris RANEVSKY - Koski
C.V. FRANCE - Micky the Mailer
Joan BRIERLEY - Molly Dean
Norma VARDEN - Mrs Tuckett
Kay HAMMOND - [Cocktail Shaker]
Al BOWLLY - [Singer]
Hal GORDON - [Taxi Driver]
Lew STONE - [Piano Player]
Roy FOX's Band - dance band
References Listing: (contemporary film reviews)
Picturegoer.vl.n66.27 Aug 1932 p.19 lang.ENG
Bioscope.v90.n1329.23 Mar 1932 p.19 lang.ENG
(c) British Film Institute - SIFT Database.
SONGS (listed in Denis Gifford's book) In London On A Night Like This, Considering, If Anything Happened To You
also Hello Mike (non-vocal)


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