This film is the nearest that Ealing Studios came to making a musical, but the final result is something quite different from that of MGM or Warner Bros. Imagine a full blooded b/w Victorian etching, lit by gas lamps and studded with glittering period detail. The songs are brash, catchy and bright. The direction by Cavancanti brings in his documentary realism with fast cutting, high and low angle shots - breaking with convention at every chance. The result of all this is that the film has hardly dated. It isn't well known, but it ought to be rediscovered. The photography sparkles and shines on carefully recreated 1860 London settings. If the film has a fault, it is that in trying to avoid formula, it often skips over details. For example, we aren't given time to understand how many of the songs are written. The title character was a real life singer - George Leybourne. Wartime comedian Tommy Trinder is obviously enjoying the part and Stanley Holloway provides strong support. In 1944 this film was designed to raise morale and generate goodwill. It still does.
Review of Champagne Charlie
