6.5 Special (1958)

This film was made to capitalise on the tremendous success of the BBC pop music TV show, Six-Five Special. It had a slender plot designed simply to link the musical numbers together.

Two young women, Judy (Avril Leslie) and Ann (Diane Todd), catch the six-five special from Glasgow bound for London, pursuing a singing career for Ann. They find the train is full of singing stars travelling down to London to appear on . . . you guessed it . . . the TV show Six-Five Special.

Every possible device is employed by director Alfred Shaughnessy (later script editor for the TV series Upstairs, Downstairs) to allow guest stars to do their thing – there are musical interludes in compartments, in corridors, on a platform, in a galley kitchen and in a freight car – enabling the girls to meet the likes of Jim Dale, the Ken-Tones, Johnny Dankworth, Cleo Laine, Petula Clark and Joan Regan as they weave their way through the train.

They also meet actor Finlay Currie who tries to dissuade Ann from going into the business. Also on the train are the show’s presenters, Pete Murray and Jo Douglas – for whom Ann auditions.

Impressed with her voice, she is offered a spot on the show in the chorus.

After watching a number of acts (including Don Lang, Russ Hamilton, the John Barry Seven, the King Brothers, Jackie Dennis and Lonnie Donegan), Ann’s big moment arrives as a supporting singer for Dickie Valentine. As the show moves into its finalé, Jo Douglas informs Ann that she has made enough of an impression to be offered a solo spot on the show the following week.

A cut-down version of the film was later issued under the name Calling All Cats.

Judy
Avril Leslie
Ann
Diane Todd
Jo Douglas
Herself
Pete Murray
Himself
Jim Dale
Himself
Finlay Currie
Himself
The Ken-Tones
Themselves
Desmond Lane
Himself
Mike & Bernie Winters
Themselves
Johhny Dankworth
Himself
Cleo Laine
Herself
Petula Clark
Herself
Joan Regan
Herself
Don Lang and his Frantic Five
Themselves
Russ Hamilton
Himself
John Barry Seven
Themselves
Jackie Dennis
Himself
Paddy Stone
Himself
Dickie Valentine
Himself
Lonnie Donegan
Himself

Director
Alfred Shaughnessy

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