Albert Arthur Powell MBE, known as Sandy Powell, was an English comedian best known for his radio work of the 1930s and for his catchphrase "Can you hear me, mother?" He first said this in a theatre in Coventry. Fifty years later, deciding he needed a rest from the business, he again said it in a Coventry theatre, for the last time.
Great Expectations is a 1946 British drama film directed by David Lean, based on the 1861 novel by Charles Dickens and starring John Mills and Valerie Hobson. The supporting cast included Bernard Miles, Francis L. Sullivan, Anthony Wager, Jean Simmons, Finlay Currie, Martita Hunt and Alec Guinness.
Sons of the Sea is a 1939 British colour drama film directed by Maurice Elvey and starring Leslie Banks, Kay Walsh, Mackenzie Ward and Cecil Parker.
Flying Fifty-Five is a 1939 British sports-drama film directed by Reginald Denham and starring Derrick De Marney, Nancy Burne, Marius Goring, John Warwick and Peter Gawthorne. It was made by Admiral Films at Welwyn Studios. The film is based on a 1922 novel of the same name by Edgar Wallace which had previously been made into a 1924 silent film The Flying Fifty-Five.
The Middle Watch is a 1940 British comedy film, directed by Thomas Bentley and starring Jack Buchanan, Greta Gynt, Fred Emney and Kay Walsh. It was produced by Associated British Picture Corporation at their Welwyn Studios. It was based on a play of the same title by Ian Hay and Stephen King-Hall which had previously been adapted as a film in 1930, and which was adapted again in 1958.
Home from Home is a 1939 British comedy drama film directed by Herbert Smith and starring Sandy Powell, Rene Ray and Peter Gawthorne. It follows a man who struggles to cope with life after being released from prison.
Sailors Three is a 1940 British war comedy film directed by Walter Forde and starring Tommy Trinder, Claude Hulbert and Carla Lehmann. This was cockney music hall comedian Trinder's debut for Ealing, the studio with which he was to become most closely associated. It concerns three British sailors who accidentally find themselves aboard a German ship during the Second World War.
The Mind of Mr. Reeder is a 1939 British mystery crime film directed by Jack Raymond and starring Will Fyffe as Mr. Reeder, with Kay Walsh, George Curzon, and supporting roles for Chili Bouchier, John Warwick and Ronald Shiner.
The Luck of the Irish is a British drama film directed by Donovan Pedelty, who also co-wrote the screenplay, and starring Richard Hayward and Kay Walsh. It is based on a novel by Victor Haddick.
David Hutcheson was a British character actor. He made his film debut in Fast and Loose in 1930 and played his only lead role in 1934's Romance in Rhythm. He went on to specialise in hooray henrys, silly asses and military types most prominently in Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943) and Peter Ustinov's School for Secrets (1946) and Vice Versa (1948). He continued in film and television until the 1970s. During the 1960s he often played the role of Colonel Pickering in stage productions of My Fair Lady.
Melody and Romance is a 1937 British musical comedy film directed by Maurice Elvey and starring Hughie Green, Margaret Lockwood and Jane Carr. It was made at Beaconsfield Studios with sets designed by Norman G. Arnold, and features an uncredited appearance by Charles Hawtrey reciting Hamlet's "To be, or not to be."
Night of the Garter is a 1933 British comedy film directed by Jack Raymond and starring Sydney Howard, Winifred Shotter and Elsie Randolph.
All That Glitters is a 1936 British comedy crime film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring Jack Hobbs, Moira Lynd and Aubrey Mallalieu. The film was made at Nettlefold Studios in Walton for distribution as a quota quickie by RKO.
Death Drives Through is a 1935 British sports drama film directed by Edward L. Cahn and starring Chili Bouchier, Robert Douglas and Miles Mander. It was made as a quota quickie by the independent producer Clifford Taylor at Ealing Studios. The racing scenes were shot at Brooklands.
It's a Grand Old World is a 1937 British comedy film directed by Herbert Smith and starring Sandy Powell, Gina Malo and Cyril Ritchard. It was made at Beaconsfield Studios. The film's sets were designed by Norman Arnold.
The Third String is a 1932 British sports comedy film directed by George Pearson and starring Sandy Powell, Kay Hammond and Mark Daly. It is based on a W.W. Jacobs short story, which had previously been turned into a silent film. It was made at Cricklewood Studios.
I've Got a Horse is a 1938 British comedy film directed by Herbert Smith and starring Sandy Powell, Norah Howard and Felix Aylmer.
Soft Lights and Sweet Music is a 1936 British musical film directed by Herbert Smith and starring Bert Ambrose, Evelyn Dall and Harry Tate. It was made by British Lion at Beaconsfield Studios. The film is a musical revue showcasing a selection of bands and variety acts of the day. It takes its title from Elisabeth Welch's popular BBC radio show, which ran from 1933 to 1935.
The Second Mr. Bush is a 1940 British comedy film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Wallace Evennett, Evelyn Roberts and Kay Walsh. It was made at Welwyn Studios by British National Films.
Can You Hear Me, Mother? is a 1935 British comedy film directed by Leslie Pearce and starring Sandy Powell, Mary Lawson and Raymond Huntley. It was shot at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, London. It was produced by members of the Rowson family, who had previously controlled the Ideal Film Company. The film's title was popular catchphrase of the film's star Powell.
