Six-Five Special

The 6.5 Special TV series was the in thing to watch when I was a young teenager and now, I look on that series with slight uneasiness, THIS FILM takes it to new heights of toe-curling embarrassment.

Dear oh dear, oh dear - this is DIRE!!

The only person to come out of this with any credit was Lonnie Donegan, as for the rest - even John Barry trying to look and sing like a hip-cat was laughable and the rest of these so-called pop stars of the day were little better. And who on earth was Desmond Lane? Never heard of him, and then to see teenage girls' mob him as he played his penny whistle takes it to new heights of ridiculousness. I also wonder how we thought a so-called pop band fronted by a man (Don Lang) playing a trombone was with it, is mind numbing.

And I'll completely dismiss the "comedy" routine by Mike and Bernie Winters as words fail me.

This was a film designed to represent to British pop scene as well as to cash in on the popularity of the TV show with the same name. The very flimsy story line, revolves around two young women setting out for London's bright lights because one of them is seeking a career in pop music. However, the idea that these two young girls should meet a galaxy of singers on a railway train is unbelievable and cheesy to say the least! Most of the songs are garbage, as are several of the artists, some of whom mercifully had a very short time on stage or screen. Lonnie Donegan stands out as the one decent performer. Petula Clarke is seen singing 'baby love' a fairly average song, but she would go on to make much better recordings. Some of the artists featured were essentially jazz performers, which is curious because at the time of the film's release, rock n roll had largely supplanted jazz as the teenager's choice of music. Forget this film, it's best left as a museum pice!

After an interval of 60 years, this film is simply embarrassing.

This is, quite simply, a means to cash in on the then popularity of the 6.5 Special TV show. To have a singer pick up a guitar in a railway carriage and suddenly be accompanied by and orchestra and chorus might have been believable in 1958, but not for much longer afterwards.

Kitsch at its kitchest indeed. To its credit, it does allow us to see popular singers as they were in their formative years.

This is a fascinating film for historians of pop -- so many classic acts; this is pop in its nascent form before the cult of celebrity had truly taken hold. So many great performances: Pet Clarke; the Kings Singers; Lonnie Donegon. Kitsch and quaint with the unsettling underbelly of period racism -- why are Victor Soverall and Jimmy Lloyd in the kitchen the whole time while the 'whiter'performers get to travel in the train as passengers.

So many great stars travelling south to London -- the format of the early musical as a show case for performers, this film is also an interesting representation of early television in the UK.

If you are into trains you will also like this! -- the main part of the narrative shows a train journey to London -- the centre of all culture in the 50s, 60s and, of course, now.

This (now) quaint film is a cornucopia of Brit jukebox talent of the mid 50s all in a cavalcade of song hits... some dimly recalled and most long forgotten. This film is an expanded version of the TV show of the same name... each country had a similar TV show: in Australia we had Saturday DATE and in the US there was BANDSTAND and SHINDIG. It is the sort of TV show that John Waters spoofed in his hilarious 1988 movie with Ricki Lake called HAIRSPRAY. This UK pic is about a sweet nervous operatic hopeful who gets on the 6.5 special a train full of pop talent who head off to the TV studio for a weekly show. It is a good idea and a believable frame to hang what seems like 100 songs and an equal number of singers and dancers who all get a gig in this 85 minute movie. It is non stop songs and performances and as a time capsule movie of 1957 it is now a real talent museum piece. Every known style and look is on screen and it is a good party tape to play at home... even if you are alone or are having 50s party night just for fun. It is so conservative, all cardigans and sensible clothes.. with the occasional Pommy rockabilly twist... followed by a big band / orchestra or dixieland showcase. The wild concert pic THE TAMI SHOW of the mid 60s from Los Angeles Auditorium is a great 1965 chaser. 6.5 SPECIAL is a great fun. The opening scene is our shy singing gal in the bathtub, chatting to her galpal with the bathroom door open... right thru she also sings up until she hops out all sudsy, dries and puts on her pyjamas!. After the train scenes, the film shifts to the studio where a roster of truly dynamite talent takes over: One of the songs is from a 15 year old Scottish boy called Jackie Dnnis wearing the biggest pair of truly terrifying plaid trousers. He sings like Frankie Lymon, belting out a number with lyrics like "la de da oh boy cha-cha-charrrrrrr"... where is he today? also in 6.5 SPECIAL are: John Dankworth and Cleo Laine, the King Bros, Jim Dale, Petulia Clark, and Lonnie Donnegan who is clearly a forerunner to The Beatles in style. One fab cocktail dance number is by Paddy Madison and Lee Stone is a super dance act very much in the style of Marge and Gower Champion. Also if you are a fan of acoustic guitar this great film is also a feast of that sound. Enjoy!