The World Wide Gangshow Forum

After a break of some twelve years 'The london Gang Show' was 'Back on the Boards'.Filmed by Edward G W Wood and Jack Olden two old hands from the 'Boy Scouts Imperial Headquarters' Publicity Department.The Film opens with shots of the outside of the 'King's Theatre' in Hammersmith London before the later Shows move to Golders Green.The Front of the Theatre is covered in flags and bunting and a large 'Boy Scout Badge'.The initial scenes are shot in the Dressing Rooms where 'Bert' and his Team are shown applying 'Body Make-Up' to the Younger Boy Scouts who are to play the 'Cherubs' in the first Performance of Ralph's 'Spring'.Whilst some of the Junior Boys battle with rubbing the Make-Up over their faces some of the Senior Scouts are already in their "Girls" Costumes with their Make-Up.The candid shots in the dressing rooms are of course very similar to what is filmed with some modern Gang Shows although in 1950 none of the Cast took any notice.There are a range of sequences from many of the Items in the Show although the Main Performance is Ralph's 'Spring'.There are some interesting Shots Filmed from the Wings which give a good indication that the 'Cherubs' were very healthy boy scouts.'The Glamorous "Girls" are the Hit of the Show. The two week Show had been sold out months before and shots of the audience not only show how much they were enjoying the Show but that all the seats were occupied.The Reveiw in The London Times on the 5th December said "It is as gay a little entertainment as will be found at this time of year,except perhaps for those at the awkward-between age which finds unbounded high spirits more tiring than enviable" Dr.Stu..