Monday, May 13, 2019

Movie review - "The Tommy Steele Story" (1957) ***

Bright, unpretentious juke box musical to cash in on the fame of Tommy Steele, Britain's first rock and roller, who proved to have long staying power - though more as a general entertainer. The script is roughly based on Steele's rise to fame - he's from working class origins, learns to play the guitar while recovering from an accident, becomes a merchant seamen and starts performing, leading to him being fired (the sole conflict in the movie), and then becoming famous.

It's worth seeing as a vehicle for Steele who is very winning with a big smile and lots of energy. He has his awkward moments but is clearly a natural performer. And the film is stuffed with songs - there's a lot of them (something like 13 in a 70 minute running time), including "It's hot in the Cannibal pot tonight".

It's also fascinating for the insight into British music of the time - a little bit of rock, a lot more skiffle, calypso and reggae. Some other artists appear, some of them black.

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