Danny Kaye 11 Royal Command Rehearsal (1948)

Comedian / film star / singer Danny Kaye in rehearsal for Royal Command Performance 1948 - London Palladium. Unedited footage / cuts / rushes / out takes. Curtain is pulled back from stage as Danny makes entrance during rehearsal; band playing swing number on stage behind him. He gives signal for music to end, says "Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to the casino..." and tells someone called Charlie, "We'll talk for about 11 minutes". He gets the band to lean this way and that, almost falling off their chairs. Then they go straight into intro to 'Minnie The Moocher'; Danny sings in a subdued manner, giving instructions to the band, then picks up again in the scat section. Stops to say "Oh, look at the pretty girls in the costumes" (off-stage). Danny does finish of song. He then runs through 'Ballin' The Jack'. Then introduction and sections of 'Deenah' ('Dinah'), with Danny conducting his pianist doing twiddly bits. Then 'Maybe It's Because I'm A Londoner'. Introduction to 'Underneath The Arches'. Bud Flanagan and Chesney Allen enter stage right, singing reprise. Danny joins them for the end of the song. This is the same rehearsal as in 'Danny Kaye 5 (rehearsal)' (see separate record), but mostly different shots and some extra bits, so worth checking and comparing. Again, excellent, rare glimpse of a top star in rehearsal! This is fabulous stuff! Other documentary items titled 'Danny Kaye' show the actual performance (see separate records), but I think the rehearsal is even more interesting as you can see he is not giving it the full welly - saving it for the evening show. The actual performance seems very spontaneous, and I think a lot of it is, but it's fascinating to see the preparations. (And I love Danny Kaye.) FILM ID:2749.06 FOR LICENSING ENQUIRIES VISIT http://www.britishpathe.com/