Hi Gang! (film)

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Hi Gang!
Hi Gang! film poster (1941).jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Marcel Varnel
Written by
Produced by Edward Black
Starring
Cinematography Jack E. Cox
Edited by R. E. Dearing
Music by Louis Levy
Production
company
Distributed by General Film Distributors
Release date
  • 27 December 1941 (1941-12-27)
Running time
100 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
Language English

Hi Gang! is a 1941 British comedy film directed by Marcel Varnel and starring Bebe Daniels, Ben Lyon and Vic Oliver. [1] It was a spin-off from the popular BBC radio series Hi Gang! . [2]

Contents

Production

The film was made by Gainsborough Pictures at Lime Grove Studios, London. The film's art direction was by Walter W. Murton.

Plot

Two married reporters in New York City working for rival radio networks engage in cut-throat competition, assisted by an incompetent with big ideas. A publicity stunt by the couple to adopt a British evacuee boy live on air goes wrong and they end up adopting Albert, a rowdy pub landlord's son and his cantankerous Uncle Jerry. They all travel to England in the mistaken belief that Albert is the son of Lord Amersham.

Cast

Critical reception

Monthly Film Bulletin said "Those who like the radio feature Hi Gang will enjoy this film version, though it is not until near the end that the actual broadcast programme is introduced. The story is, of course, farcical and the dialogue is full of wisecracks – some old, some new. All members of the cast play their allotted parts with zest and under competent direction the fun is kept going." [3]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "good", writing: "Brightish lark." [4]

Leslie Halliwell said: "Icky farce based faintly on a wartime radio variety series, notable only for preserving the three stars involved." [5]

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Hi Gang! was a BBC radio series that ran from Sunday 26 May 1940 until 1949, featuring Vic Oliver, Ben Lyon and Bebe Daniels.

References

  1. ↑ "Hi Gang!". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  2. ↑ Vagg, Stephen (1 December 2024). "Forgotten British Film Moguls: Ted Black". Filmink. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  3. ↑ "Hi Gang!". Monthly Film Bulletin . 8 (85): 161. 1941 – via ProQuest.
  4. ↑ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 217. ISBN   0-7134-1874-5.
  5. ↑ Halliwell, Leslie (1989). Halliwell's Film Guide (7th ed.). London: Paladin. p. 463. ISBN   0586088946.


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