Post Office messenger boy Dave Martin makes a bid for pop stardom despite the disapproval of his old-fashioned father.
You’d hardly know that The Beatles were in the process of transforming the British pop scene from some of the sounds presented in this determinedly traditional musical.
Lance Comfort was a decent director, but he was hardly cutting edge and he handles the drama as unimaginatively as he stages the songs.
Icon-in-waiting David Hemmings looks distinctly uncomfortable as the Post Office messenger who defies trad dad Herbert (Ed Devereux) to bid for the top with his band The Smart Alecs, prompting a hackneyed subplot about an audition tape and a big American producer.
Seen only as performers are Gene Vincent, Kim Roberts, The Saints, Kenny Ball’s Jazzmen, The Outlaws (with Ritchie Blackmore), and Patsy Ann Noble.
Steve Marriott (Small Faces) plays the drummer in The Smart Alecs, while Dave Clark (Dave Clark Five) plays a studio technician.
Live It Up! features cutting-edge fashions by important designers of the period such as Mary Quant and John Stephen who had both recently opened up shops in Carnaby Street. The hairstyles in the film were provided by Vidal Sassoon.
Hemmings and his co-stars reappeared in a follow-up film, Be My Guest– also directed by Lance Comfort – the following year.
Dave Martin David Hemmings Jill
Jennifer Moss Phil
John Pike Ron
Heinz Burt Ricky
Steve Marriott Margaret Martin
Joan Newell Herbert Martin
Ed Devereaux Kay Miller
Veronica Hurst Barbara
Penny Lambirth Mike Moss
Peter Glaze Gene Vincent
Himself
