DOUGLAS BYNG & ROY FOX & HIS BAND INCLUDING AL BOWLLY, GTR.

Duration: 06 mins 03 secs
Black & White with Sound

Roy Fox and his band plus comedian Douglas Byng at Monseigneur Club.

Intertitle reads, 'The New Empire Review presents:- Douglas Byng - the Celebrated West-end Comedian. And Roy Fox and his Band. (Millions have heard 'Roy' on the air - here he is on the screen.) (Filmed at the Monseigneur, London.) Midnight, and dancing feet and smart-frocked swaying forms proclaim the west-end is in full swing - ".

Opens with Roy Fox and his orchestra playing. Al Bowlly (that is the correct spelling!) is the guitarist in the orchestra and can be clearly seen sitting in the band playing (he became a singer in his own right in later years). Couples seen dancing. Intercut with couples dancing and diners.

A 'gangway' is brought on and Douglas Byng enters in full evening dress. He announces "by request - a little song of spring". While intro music is played Byng puts lady's gown on over his own clothes plus wig and feather boa. He begins to sing, in exaggerated manner, of "spring in the air". He sings of the birds and bees etc. The song is full of double meanings. At one stage he has trouble with his feather boa and also consults with Roy Fox over the word 'Botticelli' in his lyrics. He censors it with a dismissive aside - "French!".

He finishes number to loud applause and the presentation of a large bouquet of tattered flowers.

Note: This is a funny one! The band musicians are laughing at Byng's act - always a good sign! - SL. For search purposes, drag, female impersonator.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• RoyFox
• AlBowlly
• Bowlly
• DouglasByng
• Monseigneur
• HotelOrch
• britishdanceband
• revue
• 1930's
• dancing
• femaleimpersonator
• drag

[AusRadioHistorian]

Interesting that nobody has mentioned that it's Al Bowlly on guitar in this clip - laughing along with Byng's machinations.

[yedon68]

...perhaps i'm wrong......is this performer in drag...?

[Orlando1564]

I remember seeing the unforgettable Douglas Byng in Feydeau's farce "Hotel Paradiso" many years ago at the now demolished Winter Garden Theatre in Drury Lane. Also in the cast were Alec Guiness and Irene Worth and Kenneth Williams. I also saw him as dame in pantomime, Robinson Crusoe in Blackpool. My late partner remembers him in the war years as a characer called Blackout Bella. Dressed entirely in black except for three white arrows pointing to his breasts and crotch!

[Dougoulako]

How wonderful to see the genius at work, live!

[TwertonWriter]

I'm Ceres the Godess of Plenty

... and plenty I've had in my time.

Superb Dougie Byng

I wa reminded of Frankie Howerd.

[integratedstereo]

I Love Douglas Byng - just had my Christmas dinner listening to him - and me old mum remembered 'im too! Good stuff!!!! Many thanks for letting us see this

[peterj403]

A very rare classic. My first time to see dougie Byng "live". Without him maybe there'd be no Danny La Rue,Lilly Savage et al !!! God bless you where ever you are.

[HarborGuy]

British humor and pre-war fun at its best, thank you for a trip back in time........

[ashbyjay]

Geeze, I only had eyes for Al Bowlly!

[creamofcardstv]

Hi, I like your video and have rated it as awesome. Please check out my vid clip of some rare jazz musicians and dance band Leaders cigarette cards, issued in 1936. They include Roy Fox, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington and many more.