Marimba, You really would LOVE to see me play the xylophone. I was top Xylophonist of the Year in my days at the Royal Academy of Music in 1896. Much better than that fat slob.
@terencenunn35 I'd LOVE to see you attempt to play the xylophone. Now THAT would be hilarious to watch; you flailing around on such an "easy" instrument! THIS, however....this is pure art.
It seems to have slipped most peoples attention the Jewish joke was at his own expense, he was Jewish, and many Jewish performers told such jokes , Eddie Cantor, Al Jolson and Teddy Browns friend Bud Flanagan.
Teddy appeared regularly on stage with Crazy Gang, always the butt of Buds jokes about his size. He was a showman, skilled in arranging music, and lived in the UK at Littlehampton. He ran many bands and performed solo as well.
Maybe we can forgive Teddy his tasteless "Hebrew" joke as he was Jewish himself and in 1930 who would have predicted the horrors to come ! His real name was Abraham Himmelbrand born in New York in 1900 and only lived 46 years.
I'm not sure what is scarier here: the giant Teddy Brown caricature behind the band; Teddy's head flapping around right where the giant Teddy Brown caricature's wiener should be; or the heartiness with which those nice musicians guffaw at Teddy's stupid Jew joke
Thanks for the title "The Fairy In the Clock", being a fully trained classical musician, Teddy did all his own arrangements for the xylophone. there are in existence about 20 short films of him, I hope more get posted, they just make E'm like they used too!!!!!
I think the opening number's titled "The Fairy in the Clock." Don't know the composer. Love Teddy and the band's rendition, along with ELSTREE CALLING as a whole!
Can anybody throw a light on the fact that the giant figure in the background is Smoking from his head? I know that Teddy was referred to as a mountain, but maybe a volcano joke is built in to the film set? Is there a clue in the opening music title, which I cannot trace?
Yes, there is some sort of smoke or vapour emerging, altho its is a flickery print. I suspect it is caused by hot lighting which backlights the background figure
If that was the lighting it was on the point of a disastrous fire!
I am assured by a BFI member the effect was deliberate and was to make fun of Teddy as a "Jazz Volcano", there is a reference to him being called this......but I still do not know the name of the opening music...anybody??
Worlds greatest xylophonist , who would disagree, he was a character and very much a gentleman, remembered in Littlehampton where he lived, as a contributor to local events and charities, and a fun person to meet.
What's so anti-semitic about Jews' penchant for saving money? Is that really such a horrible thing to be known for -- especially in the 1930s when most people were really stupid with their money?
I thought I should add that the panning-out at the beginning of this is pretty hilarious (not to mention the stage set in back of him with the enormous, painted Teddy Brown!) Someone at the Elstree studios must've had a field day with the production of this.
Is there anyone who plays like this anymore? Not a chance - Bob Becker? some orchestra guys? surely not... this era is gone. What fantastic music. Rest in Peace, Teddy.
It's true, his appearance shouldn't bother anyone really. I can see your point on the sense of humour of course, but that kind of thing was acceptable then i guess.
Brown was an amazing xylophonist and drummer - instead of critiquing him for his appearance, why not admire his musicianship? He just happened to be a big man, that's all. That's quite a hot band backing him in this clip!
Hmm... I almost always find xylophone on dance band records to be incessant/irritating, but Brown's style on some records is totally brilliant (check out mic33george's video of "Do Something" where he is backed by the Manhattan Melodymakers (a Harry Bidgood recording outfit.) Granted, he doesn't have the best stage persona or looks, but the music in this clip from "Elstree Calling" is splendid.
I've always enjoyed speciality acts like this. Dad remembers waiting by the stage door aged about 12 for Teddy Brown & got his autograph. Teddy drew up in a small sports car & had to get in/out sideways!
Teddy Brown was the greatest xylophonist I've ever heard. I believe he used to have a xylophone with several extra octives, he was that good. Even with his rather ample proportions, he moved quickly and effortlessly along the instrument. In later years he lived in the Seaside town of Worthing in Sussex in a house aptly named 'Xylophone House'.
Perhaps a better musician than a jokester. He certainly doesn't look any worse than Paul Whiteman. (There were quite a few heavyweight bandleaders in the era)
Teddy Brown lived until 1946. He showed up for a performance not feeling well and not able to climb the stairs to his dressing room. He completed his performance that night, but had to sit down to rest for part of the show. He told the people around him his heart "had a twitch." He died early the next morning.
I am so glad someone has a much better version of this to upload-many thanks.Great to see the colour numbers too.I have this on video and watched 100s of times.
Marimba, You really would LOVE to see me play the xylophone. I was top Xylophonist of the Year in my days at the Royal Academy of Music in 1896. Much better than that fat slob.
terencenunn35 4 weeks ago
@terencenunn35 I'd LOVE to see you attempt to play the xylophone. Now THAT would be hilarious to watch; you flailing around on such an "easy" instrument! THIS, however....this is pure art.
MainstreamMarimba 1 month ago
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Great musician. The video description is disrespectful.
FrancisJoseph76 2 months ago
It's easy to laugh and wince at him, but he was a superb musician
albanybeardguy 3 months ago
great musician
stevedabigdrumma 3 months ago
A truly marvellous musician
drigin1234 3 months ago
Comment removed
MysteryPotatoMan 4 months ago
It seems to have slipped most peoples attention the Jewish joke was at his own expense, he was Jewish, and many Jewish performers told such jokes , Eddie Cantor, Al Jolson and Teddy Browns friend Bud Flanagan.
Teddy appeared regularly on stage with Crazy Gang, always the butt of Buds jokes about his size. He was a showman, skilled in arranging music, and lived in the UK at Littlehampton. He ran many bands and performed solo as well.
swallin19 10 months ago 2
Maybe we can forgive Teddy his tasteless "Hebrew" joke as he was Jewish himself and in 1930 who would have predicted the horrors to come ! His real name was Abraham Himmelbrand born in New York in 1900 and only lived 46 years.
iainr222 1 year ago 2
it was all good, great even till they stopped to start their yammering. lol thanks for posting and turning me on to a great musician.
Logananda111 1 year ago
A BUCKET FOR MONSIEUR!
Mastkeiler 1 year ago
omg he looks and sounds exactly like my chem teacher
JOEdoesThings22 1 year ago
Legend.
rorys50 1 year ago
I'm not sure what is scarier here: the giant Teddy Brown caricature behind the band; Teddy's head flapping around right where the giant Teddy Brown caricature's wiener should be; or the heartiness with which those nice musicians guffaw at Teddy's stupid Jew joke
stravinskyrocks 1 year ago
what a boss
imnosupernun 1 year ago
fantasticks
sb6613 1 year ago
FUCKING AMAZING!!!!!!
kemba69 1 year ago
wow man look at those chops percussionists now a days dream of just being half as fast just simply the greatest ever
snare2324 1 year ago
grandissimo
IViolentiAmorosi 2 years ago
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He got his start by beating forks at the table, begging mother for his never-ending supply of food!!
gregoryagogo 2 years ago
damn wow amzing chops . this is y the mallets are ma fvai in the percush section the greatest i hope i get to be a portion of how he was
snare2324 2 years ago
Opening is Fairy on the Clock, and other versions are on Utube, but not as good as this one, the best.
swallin19 2 years ago
What a cracker, he and the Band just absolutely lovely.
bertiefang 2 years ago 11
Thanks for the title "The Fairy In the Clock", being a fully trained classical musician, Teddy did all his own arrangements for the xylophone. there are in existence about 20 short films of him, I hope more get posted, they just make E'm like they used too!!!!!
swallin19 2 years ago
man! CHOPS.
daisywindow 2 years ago
I think the opening number's titled "The Fairy in the Clock." Don't know the composer. Love Teddy and the band's rendition, along with ELSTREE CALLING as a whole!
sunspott 2 years ago
Can anybody throw a light on the fact that the giant figure in the background is Smoking from his head? I know that Teddy was referred to as a mountain, but maybe a volcano joke is built in to the film set? Is there a clue in the opening music title, which I cannot trace?
swallin19 2 years ago
Yes, there is some sort of smoke or vapour emerging, altho its is a flickery print. I suspect it is caused by hot lighting which backlights the background figure
racingrubberbiker 2 years ago
If that was the lighting it was on the point of a disastrous fire!
I am assured by a BFI member the effect was deliberate and was to make fun of Teddy as a "Jazz Volcano", there is a reference to him being called this......but I still do not know the name of the opening music...anybody??
swallin19 2 years ago
Awesome
65Dart 2 years ago
Worlds greatest xylophonist , who would disagree, he was a character and very much a gentleman, remembered in Littlehampton where he lived, as a contributor to local events and charities, and a fun person to meet.
swallin19 2 years ago 2
wafer thin mint?
KHSChoirNY 2 years ago
What a great beat he had!!
prosjo 2 years ago
bloody fiver!! but sir patrick moore would be pleased
sturmed 2 years ago
|How many people are only on here because of the fiver?
Bryanrobsonsliver 2 years ago
Better get a bucket ...
siimon64 2 years ago 3
this dude was insane at his profession. If only I could've met him
KDewey92 2 years ago
He died in 1946 at the age of 46.
nittiegreen 2 years ago
I quite like those xylophone bits. Makes it sound all the more "period". Add an accordion - and it's all there!
muscleco 3 years ago 2
Amazing! Pity about the anti-semitic joke in the middle, but he was Jewish himself so I suppose it was acceptable in those days.
peezedtee 3 years ago
What's so anti-semitic about Jews' penchant for saving money? Is that really such a horrible thing to be known for -- especially in the 1930s when most people were really stupid with their money?
lobstertexas 3 years ago
I think it would be seen nowadays as unacceptable racial stereotyping, but clearly nobody minded at the time.
peezedtee 3 years ago
perhaps.. but then again there is a Heeb Magazine :D
lobstertexas 3 years ago
I crap bricks every time 1:40 comes along.
slumsquirrel21 3 years ago
yeah, not many people can hammer out 32nd notes with such precision
lobstertexas 3 years ago
I thought I should add that the panning-out at the beginning of this is pretty hilarious (not to mention the stage set in back of him with the enormous, painted Teddy Brown!) Someone at the Elstree studios must've had a field day with the production of this.
henry814 3 years ago
Is there anyone who plays like this anymore? Not a chance - Bob Becker? some orchestra guys? surely not... this era is gone. What fantastic music. Rest in Peace, Teddy.
coaxanearwig 3 years ago
That bandleader's wide on all sides!
jxhensley 3 years ago
It's true, his appearance shouldn't bother anyone really. I can see your point on the sense of humour of course, but that kind of thing was acceptable then i guess.
schnozz87 4 years ago
Brown was an amazing xylophonist and drummer - instead of critiquing him for his appearance, why not admire his musicianship? He just happened to be a big man, that's all. That's quite a hot band backing him in this clip!
henry814 4 years ago 42
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But aren't quick, clever xylophonists two-a-penny?
terencenunn35 4 years ago
Hmm... I almost always find xylophone on dance band records to be incessant/irritating, but Brown's style on some records is totally brilliant (check out mic33george's video of "Do Something" where he is backed by the Manhattan Melodymakers (a Harry Bidgood recording outfit.) Granted, he doesn't have the best stage persona or looks, but the music in this clip from "Elstree Calling" is splendid.
henry814 4 years ago
@terencenunn35
quicksticks09 1 year ago
@terencenunn35 no you idiot
quicksticks09 1 year ago
@terencenunn35 how good are you?
vindicari 1 year ago
@henry814 "He just happened to a big man"
Yeah, a big fat Jew-hater.
stravinskyrocks 1 year ago
@stravinskyrocks Pathetic tit, HE WAS JEWISH and he was having fun, at his own expense, no one elses.
Electron1944 5 months ago 2
I've always enjoyed speciality acts like this. Dad remembers waiting by the stage door aged about 12 for Teddy Brown & got his autograph. Teddy drew up in a small sports car & had to get in/out sideways!
Excellent.
grabread 4 years ago
Teddy Brown was the greatest xylophonist I've ever heard. I believe he used to have a xylophone with several extra octives, he was that good. Even with his rather ample proportions, he moved quickly and effortlessly along the instrument. In later years he lived in the Seaside town of Worthing in Sussex in a house aptly named 'Xylophone House'.
blackpoolbarmpot 4 years ago
Now why isn't he featured on Comedy Central? He's way better than the comedians they're showing now.
newsoftheworld123 4 years ago
I keep expecting him to put a "Waffer thin mint" into his mouth and explode! Quite good on the xylophone though
jamesmagmar126 4 years ago
what a radical xylophone dude
ivanjatson2 4 years ago
Could his xylophone bars possibly have been coated in...creosote? They use it on railroad ties.
RatPfink66 4 years ago
I think he is tad wider than Paul Whiteman ever was!
deejay830 4 years ago
Perhaps a better musician than a jokester. He certainly doesn't look any worse than Paul Whiteman. (There were quite a few heavyweight bandleaders in the era)
albanybeardguy 4 years ago
Teddy Brown lived until 1946. He showed up for a performance not feeling well and not able to climb the stairs to his dressing room. He completed his performance that night, but had to sit down to rest for part of the show. He told the people around him his heart "had a twitch." He died early the next morning.
wphistory 4 years ago
I am so glad someone has a much better version of this to upload-many thanks.Great to see the colour numbers too.I have this on video and watched 100s of times.
mic33george 4 years ago