The Co-Optimists (film)
Encyclopedia
The Co-Optimists is a 1929 British black and white concert
musical film
. It contains excerts from the stage musical of the same name
which was devised by Davy Burnaby
in 1921. The Co-Optimists consisted of a troupe of actors and singers and became largely successful by touring seaside resorts throughout England
. They opened in London on 21 June 1921 and ended on 4 August 1927. The film was produced by Gordon Craig productions and was directed by Laddie Cliff (who also starred in the film) and Edwin Greenwood
. It also provided Stanley Holloway
with his second film appearance having been with the troupe from the start.
Concert film
A concert movie, or concert film, is a type of documentary film, the subject of which is an extended live performance or concert by a musician ....
musical film
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
. It contains excerts from the stage musical of the same name
The Co-Optimists
The Co-Optimists is the title of a stage variety revue which opened in London on 27 June 1921. The show was devised by Davy Burnaby. The piece was a co-operative venture by what The Times called "a group of well-known musical comedy and variety artists" presenting "an all-star 'pierrot'...
which was devised by Davy Burnaby
Davy Burnaby
Davy Burnaby was a British actor who appeared in more than thirty films between 1929 and 1948. He was born in Buckland, Hertfordshire and made his screen debut in the 1929 film The Devil's Maze. He died in 1949....
in 1921. The Co-Optimists consisted of a troupe of actors and singers and became largely successful by touring seaside resorts throughout England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. They opened in London on 21 June 1921 and ended on 4 August 1927. The film was produced by Gordon Craig productions and was directed by Laddie Cliff (who also starred in the film) and Edwin Greenwood
Edwin Greenwood
-Selected filmography:Director* The Fair Maid of Perth * A Woman in Pawn * Tesha * The Co-Optimists Screenwriter* The Love Race * The Maid of the Mountains * East Meets West...
. It also provided Stanley Holloway
Stanley Holloway
Stanley Augustus Holloway, OBE was an English stage and film actor, comedian, singer, poet and monologist. He was famous for his comic and character roles on stage and screen, especially that of Alfred P. Doolittle in My Fair Lady...
with his second film appearance having been with the troupe from the start.
Cast
- Davy BurnabyDavy BurnabyDavy Burnaby was a British actor who appeared in more than thirty films between 1929 and 1948. He was born in Buckland, Hertfordshire and made his screen debut in the 1929 film The Devil's Maze. He died in 1949....
- Laddie Cliff
- Melville GideonMelville GideonMelville Gideon was an American composer, lyricist and performer of ragtime music, composing many themes for hit Broadway musicals including The Co-Optimists. He was also a director, producer and performer....
- Gilbert Childs
- Stanley HollowayStanley HollowayStanley Augustus Holloway, OBE was an English stage and film actor, comedian, singer, poet and monologist. He was famous for his comic and character roles on stage and screen, especially that of Alfred P. Doolittle in My Fair Lady...
- Phyllis Monkman
- Betty Chester
- Elsa MacFarlane
- Peggy Petronella
- Harry S. Pepper