Name: Charley Moon
Genre: Musical
Released: 1956-05-01
Duration: 1 h 32 min
Rating: 5.5
Cast: Max Bygraves, Dennis Price, Michael Medwin

Based on a 1953 novel by Reginald Arkell, this elaborate Eastmancolour (sic) vehicle for the up-and-coming young Max Bygraves takes a remarkably jaundiced view of show business; both for those bumping along the bottom like Dennis Price (himself at that time just rallying from a recent low point both personally and professionally) and for those like Charley Moon that make it to the top only to find themselves surrounded by flatulent bores and hangers on.

The highly stylised theatrical musical numbers staged by Vida Hope are pointedly bookended by idyllic scenes shot on location in the pretty little village were he rejoins girl next door Patricia Driscoll. The other women - Shirley Eaton (much later reunited with director Guy Hamilton in 'Goldfinger') and Florence Desmond - both appear only briefly and are depictly as shallow and fickle; the strongest impression being made when the film is nearly over by a nine year-old Jane Asher.

The musical genre features stories that combine music, singing, dancing, acting, and often spoken dialogue to tell a story or convey a narrative. Musicals incorporate various elements of drama, music, and choreography to create a cohesive theatrical experience that engages audiences on multiple levels.

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Charley Moon

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