| Variety Jubilee | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Directed by | Maclean Rogers |
| Written by | Kathleen Butler |
| Based on | a story byMabel Constanduros |
| Produced by | F.W. Baker |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Geoffrey Faithfull |
| Edited by | A. Charles Knott |
| Music by | Percival Mackey |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Butcher's Film Service |
Release date |
|
Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Variety Jubilee is a 1943 Britishhistoricalmusical film directed byMaclean Rogers and starringReginald Purdell,Ellis Irving andLesley Brook.[1] It depicts life in a Londonmusic hall from 1892 to theSecond World War.[2] It was made at theRiverside Studios inHammersmith. The film was re-released in 1945, to capitalise on the popularity ofEaling'sChampagne Charlie.[3]
Variety Jubilee is a melodrama chronicling three generations of a family of music hall owners. At the start of the 20th century, two former variety artists, Joe and Kit, become partners in running a music hall. The First World War brings the death of Kit's son, and the end of the war a decline in popularity of music halls. Joe and Kit's business falls into disrepair, and finally, Kit and his wife die in poverty. Eventually, Kit's grandson successfully resurrects the family music hall, before joining the RAF to fight in the second World War.
Radio Times gave the film three out of five stars, noting a "simple, nostalgic tribute to the British music hall...The film consists largely of musical variety acts performed by numerous forgotten old-timers of a bygone era, with Marie Lloyd Jr impersonating her famous mother. Comedian George Robey, a team of cancan dancers and the band of the Coldstream Guards are also among the arcane and rather touching attractions."[4]