Six-Five Special

This was a film designed to represent to British pop scene as well as to cash in on the popularity of the TV show with the same name. The very flimsy story line, revolves around two young women setting out for London's bright lights because one of them is seeking a career in pop music. However, the idea that these two young girls should meet a galaxy of singers on a railway train is unbelievable and cheesy to say the least! Most of the songs are garbage, as are several of the artists, some of whom mercifully had a very short time on stage or screen. Lonnie Donegan stands out as the one decent performer. Petula Clarke is seen singing 'baby love' a fairly average song, but she would go on to make much better recordings. Some of the artists featured were essentially jazz performers, which is curious because at the time of the film's release, rock n roll had largely supplanted jazz as the teenager's choice of music. Forget this film, it's best left as a museum pice!

After an interval of 60 years, this film is simply embarrassing.

This is, quite simply, a means to cash in on the then popularity of the 6.5 Special TV show. To have a singer pick up a guitar in a railway carriage and suddenly be accompanied by and orchestra and chorus might have been believable in 1958, but not for much longer afterwards.

Kitsch at its kitchest indeed. To its credit, it does allow us to see popular singers as they were in their formative years.

This is a really interesting time piece,since it reflects the changing tastes in music that took place during the 1950s.Early in the fifties,crooners such as Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra still held sway.One of our British crooners,and one of my personal favourites of the time,Dickie Valentine,is shown in full voice here.Then there was a slight change evidenced by such as Lonnie Donnegan.I still have his 45 disc of "My old mans a dustman.However the era of rock and roll was fast approaching with Rock Around The Clock and of course Elvis Presley.So the cosy world shown here was soon to be swept away.I also remember Pete Murray very well as he used to sit in the same area as me at The Arsenal.This film is for enthusiasts of the era primarily.

This is a fascinating film for historians of pop -- so many classic acts; this is pop in its nascent form before the cult of celebrity had truly taken hold. So many great performances: Pet Clarke; the Kings Singers; Lonnie Donegon. Kitsch and quaint with the unsettling underbelly of period racism -- why are Victor Soverall and Jimmy Lloyd in the kitchen the whole time while the 'whiter'performers get to travel in the train as passengers.

So many great stars travelling south to London -- the format of the early musical as a show case for performers, this film is also an interesting representation of early television in the UK.

If you are into trains you will also like this! -- the main part of the narrative shows a train journey to London -- the centre of all culture in the 50s, 60s and, of course, now.

As a historical piece showcasing a transitional phase in UK culture and popular music, the rise of youth culture and the early days of television, this film is fantastic. It offers a snapshot of the late 50's that was a battleground where Jazz, rock and roll, crooners and skiffle were battling for prominence in the youth music market of a pre Beatles universe. However, if you approach the film for sophisticated entertainment judged against current day standards you will be sorely disappointed. Terrible and cheesy... So choose your critical position. I took the former point of view and thought the whole experience was brilliant...