The Vera Lynn Film Collection [DVD] [2009]

This is a very welcome 3 DVD set of films released in 1943 and 1945. There is much to be enjoyed in this collection. Anyone who loves the voice of Vera Lynn will be well satisfied with her vocal contributions. For a lady whose career was in the music business, she handled the acting roles well and held her own against the solid line up of British supporting actors. She definitely had the X Factor long before the expression was coined!

The one disappointing film is "Rhythm Serenade". The title gives no clue to the weak story line and rather undistinguished score. It was nice to get a glimpse of the musical director, Harry Bidgood, and see a young Jimmy Clitheroe, but the humour of Jewel and Warriss didn't raise a smile. Even Vera doesn't look entirely comfortable.

Vera did seem to enjoy her part in "We'll Meet Again" and she is on excellent form. The pace of the plot is good, the songs are excellent, and the 81 minutes are entertaining. However some of the events in the film don't stand up to much scrutiny; e.g. when the songwriter just happens to switch on the radio at the very moment his song is being played and yet it was never scheduled to be broadcast! This particular film will be of interest to those interested the history of the BBC as several well-known BBC figures make brief appearances including Alvar Liddell, John Watt and John Sharman. The great Geraldo Orchestra, also contracted for a period to the BBC, is featured. Len Camber and Geraldo's vocal sextet are given the pleasant number "You Never Knew" to sing and then the famous band back Vera in "After The Rain".

In "One Exciting Night" (the print is actually the film under its alternative title "You Can't Do Without Love"), Vera gets accidentally caught up in a robbery in a fast-moving plot. Vera gets some great songs to sing along the way including "My Prayer", "There's A New World Over The Skyline" and "Seems Like Old Times" (erroneously named "It's Like Old Times" in the accompanying notes), which some may remember as the theme tune on the warmly remembered ITV series "Looks Familiar". In addition there is a number showcasing the RAF Dance Orchestra, better known as The Squadronaires. According to the notes, the Ambrose Orchestra backs Vera, but this is not acknowledged in the credits and Ambrose himself is nowhere to be seen.

The picture quality in these films is excellent, sound quality likewise. "Rhythm Serenade" is responsible for the loss of a star in my rating, but otherwise I thoroughly recommend this beautifully presented DVD set.

A wartime comedian joked that `World War II was started by Vera Lynn's agent!' There is a grain of truth in this quip, for if it was not for her wartime role of `Forces Sweetheart' she would by now be a mostly forgotten singer of the 30's & 40's. `We'll Meet Again' was her incredibly popular wartime radio programme with songs and personal messages to those serving abroad. Her gruelling visits to the Far East to entertain the troops also considerably enhanced her popularity. She has of course has never quite been out of the news and such is her popularity that her songs are still regularly heard on air. In August 2009 she became the oldest person to have a Nos1 chart-topping disc called `We'll Meet Again-The Very Best of Vera Lynn'. This September the BBC showed an excellent one-hour documentary on her life and times, mention was made of the three films she made during the wartime.
A search on Amazon found this box set having done my research, I found that surprisingly she only made four films during her career; the fourth film was a Danish film in which she had a cameo role.
The best of the films is `We'll Meet Again' (1942) Humble chorus line dancer Peggy Brown (Vera Lynn) is discovered by the BBC and gets her own radio show but she proves unlucky in love when the soldier she hopes loves her (Donald Gray) falls for her best friend Ruth (Patricia Roc) instead... Songs: Be Like The Kettle And Sing, Ave Maria, All The World Sings A Lullaby, I'm Yours Sincerely, We'll Meet Again, After The Rain (With Geraldo & His Orchestra). There is lots of amusing situations/dialogue set against a backcloth of London in the Blitz and of course plenty of excuses for a song!
Nearly as good is `One Exciting Night' (1944) In wartime London, Vera Gets mistaken for the girlfriend of a famous composer and invited to sing at a charity gala--but criminals chasing a precious Rembrandt painting might just spoil her big night! Songs: It's Like Old Times, There's A New World Over The Skyline, One Love My Prayer, You Can't Do Without Love, It's So Easy To Say Good Morning (with Bert Ambrose)
The last title' Rhythm Serenade' (1943) is somewhat disappointing though the appearance of Jimmy Clitheroe is welcome, Vera does not seem to enjoy this film nearly as much as she obviously enjoyed the others. I properly will not bother to watch again this disc again. While converting a big empty house for evacuee children, Ann Martin (Vera Lynn) Ann stumbles upon a mysterious stranger who may be a conscientious objector--or a German spy! Songs: The Sunshine Of Your Smile, Home Sweet Home Again, I love To Sing, Bye And Bye, So It Goes On, With All My Heart, It Doesn't Cost A Dime.
Overall the sound quality on all three discs was really excellent and the picture quality very good for the period, there was very little evidence of wear and tear/ damage on the masters used, however on `Rhythm Serenade' title there was a period of about 15mins where the picture was a little unsteady/wobbly. No extras so I have put one of the discs in a double case and added the very good BBC documentary on her. If you like Vera Lynn and her songs a very worthwhile buy for Christmas.

These movies are a 'must-have' for any film buff, or anyone interested in film musicals. they are also interesting in that they show many aspects of life in WWII. Vera's voice is clear and strong in these movies, and it's easy to see why she was so popular. Her acting may not be that good, but it seems to improve as each film progresses. I would highly recommend these films, as they've been a long time out of the public view, and who knows how long before they appear again, if ever?