Champagne Charlie

Champagne Charlie is a musical comedy film from 1944, directed by Alberto Cavalcanti and starring Tommy Trinder, Stanley Holloway, and Betty Warren. The film is set in England during the 19th century and tells the story of a famous champagne salesman named Charles Heidsieck, also known as "Champagne Charlie."

The movie opens with Champagne Charlie (Tommy Trinder) arriving in London to sell his champagne to the upper classes. He's met at the train station by a ragtag group of street musicians, including his old friend Harry (Stanley Holloway) and his daughter Alice (Betty Warren), who are excited to see him. Charlie quickly becomes the talk of the town as he introduces his high-quality champagne to the wealthy clientele, winning over the hearts of many women.

In the midst of his business dealings, Charlie becomes embroiled in a series of romantic entanglements. He falls for the beautiful Lady Lavinia (Jean Kent), who is already married to a much older man. Meanwhile, Alice has fallen in love with Charlie but believes he only sees her as a friend. To complicate matters further, Charlie's old flame, French actress Suzanne (Anne Ziegler), suddenly reappears and tries to win him back. These love triangles provide the backdrop for much of the humor and musical numbers throughout the film.

Along with the romantic plotlines, Champagne Charlie also explores themes of class and social status. Charlie is an outsider in the world of the upper classes, but he is able to win them over with his charming personality and high-quality champagne. Despite this, there are still moments of tension between Charlie and some of his customers, who look down on him for being a salesman.

The music in Champagne Charlie is a particular highlight of the film. The soundtrack includes several catchy songs, such as "Champagne Charlie" and "I'm Not All There," as well as several musical numbers featuring Tommy Trinder and Anne Ziegler. The film's score was composed by Richard Addinsell, who was famous for his work on British films such as Goodbye, Mr. Chips and A Tale of Two Cities.

Overall, Champagne Charlie is a lighthearted and entertaining film that showcases the talents of its cast and crew. Tommy Trinder is charming in the lead role, while Stanley Holloway provides excellent comic relief as Harry. The film also features strong performances from Anne Ziegler and Betty Warren, as well as a supporting cast of accomplished actors. With its catchy music, romantic storyline, and exploration of class and social status, Champagne Charlie remains an enjoyable movie even after almost 80 years.