Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 8 hours ago
Here is a documentary film from 1966 in which popular singer Sam Browne talks about his life, concentrating mostly on the 1930s….the "Golden Age Of British Dance Music". The interviewer is Don Thompson, who was well known and much respected in dance band circles. Don also wrote and produced the film through his own one-man company called Mobile Sound Ltd, and was the cameraman too!
Later on, Don helped Ambrose sax man Billy Amstell write his autobiography, and also produced a similar documentary about Billy. In fact, it was Billy who gave me a video of this film, which, in turn, had been given to him by Don!
The film is introduced and concluded by Frank Phillips, a BBC Radio newsreader and announcer who started his broadcasting career in 1935….before that he was a professional singer, starting in 1923! We also see that hugely talented pianist Laurie Holloway, looking very young (he was actually 38 at the time).
It is remarkable to consider that though this film looks back nostalgically to the 1930s, some 30 years before it was made, the film itself is now 60 years old! Everyone (except Don Thompson) seems to be smoking! Sam Browne looks to be a chain smoker....he's even got a cigarette in his hand when he's singing! And everyone wears a tie!
Here is a documentary film from 1966 in which popular singer Sam Browne talks about his life, concentrating mostly on the 1930s….the "Golden Age Of British Dance Music". The interviewer is Don Thompson, who was well known and much respected in dance band circles. Don also wrote and produced the film through his own one-man company called Mobile Sound Ltd, and was the cameraman too!
Later on, Don helped Ambrose sax man Billy Amstell write his autobiography, and also produced a similar documentary about Billy. In fact, it was Billy who gave me a video of this film, which, in turn, had been given to him by Don!
The film is introduced and concluded by Frank Phillips, a BBC Radio newsreader and announcer who started his broadcasting career in 1935….before that he was a professional singer, starting in 1923! We also see that hugely talented pianist Laurie Holloway, looking very young (he was actually 38 at the time).
It is remarkable to consider that though this film looks back nostalgically to the 1930s, some 30 years before it was made, the film itself is now 60 years old! Everyone (except Don Thompson) seems to be smoking! Sam Browne looks to be a chain smoker....he's even got a cigarette in his hand when he's singing! And everyone wears a tie!
