All Available Episode
All Season 2007 Episode
1. Joyce Grenfell - Comedy with Breeding
In many ways Joyce Grenfell was the pioneer of British female comedy. Through her radio broadcasts, her St Trinian's films, and her regular appearances on BBC TV's Face the Music, Joyce was one of the most popular and enduring performers of her generation. But who was Joyce Grenfell and what was she really like?
2. Doris Day: Virgin Territory
Michael Brandon narrates a profile of one of the big screen's more enduring legends. Doris Day has often been dismissed as an actress and overlooked as a singer, despite career highs such as Calamity Jane and Pillow Talk. Contributors include James Garner, Richard Carpenter, Terence Davies and Don Pippin.
3. Alma Cogan - Fabulous
Profile of Alma Cogan, the tailor's daughter who was a bestselling 1950s star and TV light entertainment pioneer. With Bruce Forsyth, Maureen Lipman and Andrew Loog Oldham.
4. Vera Lynn - Sincerely Yours
A revealing and film about a singer who continues to occupy a distinctive corner of the nation's heart. It follows the dramatic story of Vera Lynn's rise to stardom, from the almost forgotten world of the big band singers of the 30s with songs that were dismissed as sentimental twaddle to her battles with the BBC, her struggle to survive the musical chaos of the 50s and 60s and her phenomenal ability to communicate with her audience.The film uses rare and previously unseen footage and exclusive interviews with Dame Vera and her daughter, Virginia Lewis Jones, to narrate the complex and professionally turbulent portrait of a legendary entertainer. More than any other singer, Vera Lynn personifies the moment history met popular music. Her three key songs during the war years epitomised the mood of the time - We'll Meet Again was the optimistic one, The White Cliffs of Dover was the patriotic one and Yours was the love song. Completely untrained as Vera was, it was her gift to convey a belief in the lyric which endeared her to her fans. Today, her name remains synonymous with the values of an era long gone.
5. Carmen Miranda - Beneath the Tutti Frutti Hat
Profile of singer Carmen Miranda, forever remembered as the lady in the tutti frutti hat, charting her remarkable rise from humble beginnings to become Brazil's most famous singer, before going on to conquer Broadway and Hollywood. However, like many Hollywood success stories, there was sadness behind the smiles. Featuring interviews with her biographer Ruy Castro, her niece Carminha and Mickey Rooney, who impersonated her in the 1941 film Babes on Broadway.
6. Matt Monro - The Man With The Golden Voice
Neil Pearson narrates a documentary telling the story of Matt Monro, the young Londoner born Terry Parsons who became one of the world's most popular ballad singers. Contributors include Paul Gambaccini, Don Black, George Martin, John Barry and Monro's family.
7. Al Bowlly - The Very Thought of You
Profile of the debonair 1930s crooner Al Bowlly. Listening to his songs today, one is transported back to the dreams, aspirations and style of the inter-war years. The film tells the colourful and chaotic story of how a South African barber travelled halfway across the world to become Britain's first pop star. From busking on the streets of London to his own radio show in New York, it tells how Bowlly led a life of extraordinary success that ultimately ended in disappointment and tragedy.
8. Jacques Brel - Ne me quitte pas
Profile of dramatic Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel, who mesmerised audiences in the 1950s and 60s with the sheer ferocity of his performances and by deep, dark lyrics that widened the definition of what a popular song could be about. Though his work is revered throughout the French-speaking world, he is still seen as a cult figure in Britain. The film uses archive footage and interviews with family, friends and celebrity fans to tell the story of his brief yet extraordinary life.
9. Louis Prima - King of the Swingers
Profile of American entertainer, singer, actor, songwriter and trumpeter Louis Prima. Immortalised as the voice of King Louis in Disney's Jungle Book, Prima was a musical chameleon whose career spanned more than five decades. Born in New Orleans, he became a star on New York's 52nd St during the 30s, had countless hits with his Big Band in the 40s and in the 50s teamed up with wife Keely Smith to create a Las Vegas lounge act that quickly earned a reputation as the hottest act in showbusiness.
10. The Dankworths
Profile of the husband and wife jazz duo Cleo Laine and the late John Dankworth. John was one of Britain's best-known jazz musicians, composers and commentators, and Cleo is a singer and actress who has done just about everything - together they performed everywhere from jazz clubs to the world's major concert halls and theatres. For years they toured the world and became established as one of the most popular double acts in music. Over the years they developed the Stables Arts Centre in the grounds of their home in Wavendon, Buckinghamshire. The venue has been host to many world famous artistes, from Vladimir Ashkenazy to George Shearing, and some of today's top professional musicians and singers have benefited from its education projects in the early stages of their careers.Both John and Cleo have been awarded numerous honorary doctorates and are great believers in musical education. To this end, the Wavendon Foundation was formed with the objective of raising funds to benefit both individual young artistes in need of financial aid and organisations seeking support for music education projects. This documentary follows their progression from dance halls and jazz clubs to the world stage. Their ongoing story is documented with rich archive, rare stills, footage and recordings from their private collection (seen for the first time), interviews with family and friends, and unique musical performances throughout.
11. Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song
Profile of jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, one of the most popular artists of the 20th century. The film looks at Fitzgerald's 50-year career from her winning turn at the Harlem Apollo's amateur night in 1934, through her rise as the definitive exponent of scat singing, her celebrated Songbook albums and triumphant stage career which continued almost up until her death in 1996. Features archive footage of Ella in full flight, alongside interviews with her closest friends and collaborators.
12. James Last: Non Stop Dancing
James Last is one of the most successful bandleaders and arrangers in the history of popular music. In a career lasting more than 50 years, he has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide. This documentary goes behind the James Last phenomenon to ask why his music is loved by the public but often loathed by the critics. The music is often described as easy listening or happy music, but what is the James Last sound? Is it just a string of revamped Beatles hits, non-stop Abba medleys, updated classics and polka parties, or is his achievement in popular music being under-estimated and dismissed unfairly by the musical elite? Influenced by jazz, swing, the Beatles and rock and roll in 1960's Hamburg, Last would soon become one of the most famous bandleaders of all time. This programme explores the music, the musicians and the life of the man who invented the non-stop party and re-invented the classics.
13. Val Doonican Rocks
Pauline McLynn narrates an affectionate portrait of popular Irish entertainer Val Doonican, as famous for his props such as cardigans and rocking chair as for his easy-listening style. From 1964-1986 he led the BBC1 ratings, his particular brand of laid-back entertainment surviving the revolutionary 60s, IRA campaigns and a variety of changing musical styles. His hits included Walk Tall and The Special Years as well as a number of comic 'Oirish' songs. At the age of 80, Val still performs but the sweaters and his faithful rocking chair are nowhere to be seen. Includes interviews with Rolf Harris, John Williams, Gerry Anderson and Gloria Hunniford.
14. Mario Lanza: Singing to the Gods
A celebration of Mario Lanza's incomparable talents, and the tragic story of his brief life. With clips from his classic MGM and Warners movies, including The Great Caruso, Serenade and For the First Time.