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
Video
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