Moviecut—Elstree Calling

source: Elstree Calling

Elstree Calling

I've always wanted to see proper vaudeville live. The ever-changing tones, acts, talents, & forms seem like a lively style of theater. Onscreen, however, it's just a mess. I think we're taught to expect a through-line in film, & there simply isn't one. Not to mention several of the segments are hindered by mawkish emotion, unoriginal musical numbers, or straight racism. Still, there are good pieces (fat musician, "wrong apartment", recurring Shakespeare joke).

"Elstree Calling" can be considered the British answer to the Hollywood early-talkie musical-comedy revues made specifically in the years 1929-1930; unlike them, there are virtually no recognizable today names in it (with the sole exception of Anna May Wong, who appears in a skimpy outfit for about 20 seconds in total), so it doesn't have their curiosity value. Of course, there is another famous name appearing in the credits of this film: Alfred Hitchcock, who supervised "some" material. You would never in a million years guess he had anything to do with this film if somebody didn't tell you, except maybe for two funny black-comedy skits: the husband and the opera. The movie also offers some glimpses of early color (mostly yellow and red), the prophetic concept of television "in your home", and even the music is quite pleasant, as long as it's only instrumental: you just have to shut your ears when people start singing. **1/2 out of 4.

We are able through this film to have a window into what the London stage and music halls would provide.Obviously there are some lesser acts but to see artistes like Lilly Morris at their prime is pricelessThe sketches and blackout spots featuring Donald Calthorpe,Jameison Thomas and Jack Hulbert still retain their sparkle. This is a film which will only appeal to fans of the era and genre.So to view it in any other context ,as some reviewers are want to do is totally missing the point.

I know these were from another time and place. This is a kind of review, featuring people I've never heard of (although that should make no difference). The problem is the relative mediocrity of the singing and dancing. It's not pathetic but it has little spark. I also know that blackface was common at this time, but it was hard to watch. These guys were good dancers, Why resort to the racism. Anyway, I only watched it because Hitchcock had a hand in its production.

Elstree Calling (1930), like most of the revues of the era, has some high points and misfires. Hitchcock's linking material here can be quite funny, and the colour sequences aren't bad (even if "The Thought Never Entered My Head" is a bit ungainly). A pleasant goof, for most

Hichcock's WTF movie. He's co-director of a static early sound film that is the British version of the all singing and all dancing review films that Hollywood do in the late 20's early 30's. Only it's less opulent and it has a real feeling of being a filmed stage play. It also suffers from weak music and dancing and unfunny comedy bits. I know the surviving prints are shorter than then what it once was which is probably better that way. Since some of the bits seem to go on way too long. You're either going to love this or hate it. For me once was enough.

A curio at best. I've always found Hitchcock to be vastly overrated but in this case there's no discernible trace of Hitchcock in the entire length though there are reports that he was responsible for the dire links in which Gordon Harker is attempting to 'tune' in a television set in his home (in 1930 yet)to a live broadcast emanating from Elstree studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, a link in which the punch line - he finally gets a crystal clear image in the last seconds of the show - can be seen being telegraphed from John O' Groats. It's mostly notable for observations such as that Tommy Handley was already a sufficient name in 1930 to actually MC the show and didn't emerge fully-formed in ITMA. There are songs from the likes of Ivor Novello and Vivian Ellis, both clearly having off days, and four numbers are shot in two-colour tint.