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footlightnotes (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)
This may indeed not be Billy Merson at his best, but who cares? It really is a treat to see him in action. And that little dance reminds me of a gentler version of Max Wall. Thanks for posting this gem.
jackofhr (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)
Not Billy Merson at his best - "The Spaniard who blighted my life" or "The night I appeared as Macbeth" are much better. e.g. "I'll raise a bunion on his Spanish onion If I catch him bending tonight!" or "Shakespeare dead? Poor old Bill! Why I never knew the poor chap had been ill."
LaGrasDanya (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)
I remember seeing several years ago on British TV, probably the BBC, an old film clip of Billy Merson singing the comic song of The Spaniard who blighted my life. I don't know if it's somewhere in the depths of the British Film Institute now. I would be interested in seeing it on You TubeIt seems that Billy Merson wrote that Spaniard who blighted my life song, and then Al Jolson in America seems to have made all the money from it.
ZINZIN77 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)
Look in historical context 1927, not to be judged by a post millennium audience
rego21a (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)
You are looking at one of the reasons ie. "talking pictures" Fotunately it is by this medium we can see some of the music hall artistes perfomances today.Notice how clear & precise the diction is. This was caracteristic of the Music Hall artistes. with no amplification in theatres in the early 20th century, performers relied on their natural ability, rather than artificial voice enhancements. Good diction was vital in the early talkies. Because of the limitations of the recording equipment.
rego21a (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)
"Billy Merson" was a man of many talents, and truly one of the British Music Hall Greats. He had an distinctive voice unusually combined with acting and acrobatic skills. He was the original artiste that recorded "The Spaniard That Blighted My Life" long before Jolson in the states. He appeared in both Music Hall and Review and was for a time manager of the Shaftesbury theatre.
fox408 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)
whaddaya mean, died? ...rise again? we think we're so sophisticated in the 21 century, but all a comedian has to do is throw us a catchphrase and we're rolling around on the sofa, pissing our pants with laughter... ricky gervais and peter kay are prime examples of how sophisticated we're not!
DavidLyre (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)
Maybe we need music hall to rise again. With better performers.
david552 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)
3.40-3.45 is that the Ricky Gervais crab dance?
david552 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)
And they wonder why music hall died... |
