Billy Merson

A Musical Revue featuring a number of prominent vaudeville and theatrical British artists of the day in songs, dances, dramatic and musical sketches.

'Strong man dreams of bungalow honeymoon with revue star.' (British Film Catalogue)

An out-of-work comedian persuades a drunken nobleman to join a protest against the closing of a village hall.

A mill worker with show biz dreams catches a big break when she's discovered by an ailing composer who's seeking the right singer for his songs.

'Billy Merson, the great Nottingham-born music hall performer, presents one of his signature numbers. The film clearly captures Merson's comic brilliance - he not only sings, but dances, skips and indulges in a lot of creative business with a lyre. Merson had been making films since 1915 and Desdemonia is often cited as Britain's first sound film.' (Robin Baker, BFI)

Popular comedian Claude Dampier is seen at his best here, as he disrupts the sedate peace of Victorian England in his attempt to help a village blacksmith win both a bicycle race and the girl. Can the blacksmith's new bicycle design triumph over his rival's trusty penny farthing?

'Strong man dreams of bungalow honeymoon with revue star.' (British Film Catalogue)