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  Average Rating for Champagne Charlie [1944] - 4 out of 5

  
  (based on 1 user reviews)
• Champagne Charlie [1944]

  Roy Nancarrow 27 February 2009

  

  Atmosphere
  
  Cavalcanti's film, lays on the gas lit, smoke laden, beer-swilling atmosphere with great relish, and managed to really capture the boisterousness of a less restrained age, as well as giving both Tommy Trinder and Stanley Holloway a chance to deliver several songs, some of them contemporary, such as the title number which was a Victorian favourite, others musical numbers were especially written for this motion picture by Lord Berners and Tibby Clarke. The George Leybourne and The Great Vance feud was based on actual fact.
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  Not Strictly Accurate.
  
  This motion picture was not entirely accurate in its depiction of mid Victorian Music Halls. In reality these venues were large public houses. It was not until later in the 19th century that the United Kingdom saw emergence of the variety theatres with attained much greater respectability. Many reviewers have said this Ealing Studios depiction of 'Music Hall' was far too light-hearted and genteel, and missed poverty, sordidness, of the Dickensian period.
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  One must however remember this motion picture was made in 1944 - during World War 2 - and cinemagoers wanted something to lift their spirits during those dark days of food rationing, identity cards and restrictions. This excellent British motion picture is notable for showing details of the audiences, venues, and staff complete with copious quantities of food and drink forming a vicarious delight for wartime audiences.
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  One of the Music Hall venues in the motion picture is a fictional one called:- 'The Mogador' and the other venue used to really exist in London, England, United Kingdom. The Real Music Hall in the Motion Picture was the 'Oxford Music Hall London.
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  About The 'Oxford Music Hall'
  
  The site of the 'Oxford Music Hall, opened 26th March 1861, was located on the corner of Oxford Street & Tottenham Court Road, Westminster, London, England, United Kingdom. The site originally housed a public house called the Boar & Castle. The hall quickly became one of London's most popular music halls and was famous for its lively barmaids. The hall burned down on 11th February 1868 and again, 1st November 1872. Each time it was rebuilt and over the years the hall was enlarged. 1873, a square proscenium arch was installed and benches were replaced the supper tables. 1891 the Oxford became a 'Syndicate Hall' under the management of the company that also managed the Tivoli and London Pavilion. The theatre was rebuilt to a design by Wylson and Long, with a conventional stage, seating capacity:- 1,040 (including boxes), domed ceiling, opulently decorated interior, and reopened 31st January 1893.
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  It was converted into a legitimate theatre during 1917. In 1921 the theatre was renovated by Charles Cochran, and a mixture of motion pictures and plays made up the entertainment programme. 1926, the theatre closed, and then was demolished. A large Lyons Corner House then occupied the site. Today, this much modified building is occupied by the first Virgin Megastore opened in 1979.
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  Forget About The X Factor & Canned Entertainment.
  
  This motion picture captures an era in which you had to be good to survive when performing to a 'live' audience. No backing tapes, microphones, etc. Artistes of the Music Hall Days had to know their business and how to handle audiences, who, if they disliked you they would show it in no uncertain manner. For me this motion picture evokes memories of my days in the 'Orchestra Pits' - On the Stages - In The Projection Boxes - of many theatres. Any student of theatre, performing arts, of cinema should not miss this gem of British cinema.
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  Studio Recreation.
  
  The 1860s stage and bar of the 'Oxford Music Hall' was recreated in Ealing Studios, London for the motion picture: "Champagne Charlie".
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Musical comedy starring Tommy Trinder as the music hall star George Leybourne, better known by his nickname 'Champagne Charlie'. His early career began when Leybourne sang in pubs for a pound a week but he rose to become one of the best known music hall stars of the 19th century. However, he also had a bitter rival, The Great Vance (Stanley Holloway), and the pair duelled in song. But they soon had to join forces against the theatre owners who were planning to close down the music halls.

Please note this is a region 2 DVD and will require a region 2 (Europe) or region Free DVD Player in order to play. Musical comedy starring Tommy Trinder as the music hall star George Leybourne, better known by his nickname 'Champagne Charlie'. His early career began when Leybourne sang in pubs for a pound a week but he rose to become one of the best known music hall stars of the 19th century. However, he also had a bitter rival, The Great Vance (Stanley Holloway), and the pair duelled in song. But they soon had to join forces against the theatre owners who were planning to close down the music halls.