Around the Town
| Around the Town | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Herbert Smith |
| Written by | Ingram D'Abbes Fenn Sherie |
| Produced by | Herbert Smith |
| Starring | Vic Oliver Irene Ware Finlay Currie |
| Cinematography | George Stretton |
| Music by | John Blore Borelli |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | British Lion Film Corporation |
Release date |
|
Running time | 68 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Around the Town is a 1938 British musical comedy film directed by Herbert Smith and starring Vic Oliver, Irene Ware and Finlay Currie.[1][2] It was written by Ingram D'Abbes and Fenn Sherie.
Synopsis
Struggling theatrical agent Ollie shows the American Norma Wyngold around the British songwriting scene.
Cast
- Vic Oliver as Ollie
- Irene Ware as Norma Wyngold
- Finlay Currie as Sam Wyngold
- Jimmy Kennedy as Jimmy
- Michael Carr as Michael
- Leslie Carew as specialty act
- Al Garvet as specialty act
- Bib Garvet as specialty act
- Pat McCormack as specialty act
- Elisabeth Welch as Elisabeth
- Maurice Winnick as specialty act
Production
The film was shot at Beaconsfield Studios outside London and distributed by British Lion Films.[3]
Reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Jimmy Kennedy and Michael Carr, the Tin Pan Alley Trio, Three Hill Billies, the Rhythm Sisters sing, and Terry's Juveniles dance. No attempt is made to put these acts over with any skill, nor to weave out of them a coherent whole. The entertainment value of the revue depends then on the individual turns which are in the main good of their kind, and on Vic Oliver who works extremely hard. He puts over an unending flow of wisecracks, and displays a characteristic mixture of good humour and impudence."[4]
Kine Weekly wrote: "Bright cheery screen musical revue introducing a formidable parade of popular variety, cabaret and radio talent. ... From the word go it is a merry romp, brilliantly compered by Vic Oliver. ... The plot on which the versatile talent hangs is, it must be admitted, somewhat slender, but thanks to the resource and versatility of Vic Oliver in the joint role of pivot and compere, it more than stands up to its responsibility."[5]
Picturegoer wrote: "Vic Oliver comperes this screen revue very effectively and, in spite of the fact that the songs are not always new, it provides good entertainment of its type. The turns featured are introduced by a slight plot, in which Irene Ware and Finlay Currie support Vic Oliver, but in spite of its slightness, it serves well enough and gives some rhyme and reason for the various artistes appearing."[6]
Picture Show wrote: "Whoeve thought of writing a screen play round Vic Oliver had a real brainwave, for that original and witty comedian has enough radio fans to make any film in which he appears a sure success. Not that this picture needs any such underpinning. It stands quite stoutly on its own legs. Not a pretentious picture in any way, it is good entertainment all the way through."[7]
References
- ^ "Around the Town". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ Wright, Adrian (2020). Cheer Up!: British Musical Films 1929–1945. The Boydell Press. p. 232. ISBN 978-1783274994.
- ^ Wood, Linda (1986). British Films, 1927–1939 (PDF). British Film Institute. p. 94. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 October 2022.
- ^ "Around the Town". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 5 (49): 131. 1 January 1938. ProQuest 1305802098.
- ^ "Around the Town". Kine Weekly. 255 (1623): 31. 26 May 1938. ProQuest 2339683018.
- ^ "Around the Town". Picturegoer. 8: 28. 2 November 1938. ProQuest 1771142483.
- ^ "Around the Town". Picture Show. 39 (999): 5. 18 June 1938. ProQuest 1879649922.