From playful romantic comedies to variety extravaganzas, the pre-war British musical films offered audiences a source of much-needed escapism throughout the decade haunted by the Great Depression and the growing menace of war. British Musicals Of The 1930s: Volume 4 will be released on DVD as a 2-disc set on 7th September 2015 at the RRP of £14.99, courtesy of Network’s ‘The British Film’ collection.

Often adapting much-loved hits of the music hall as well as serving as vehicles for the era’s composers, performers and band leaders, they showcased home-grown talent alongside some of Hollywood’s most bankable stars.

This ongoing, multi-volume collection makes available a wealth of rare gems from the very earliest days of the British talkies, many of which have remained unseen since their original release. Volume 4 features four rarely screened films from the decade, each of them presented uncut, in a brand-new transfer from the original film elements in its as-exhibited theatrical aspect ratio.

Dance Band (1935)
Life gets complicated for bandleader Buddy Milton when he falls for Pat Shelley – the leader of a rival all-girl dance band! But, on discovering his identity, Pat believes he is craftily attempting to wreck her chances in a competition for which both bands have entered, and her manager decides a little dirty work is required.

Kathleen Mavourneen (1937)
A hugely popular story in which a young Liverpool girl visits family in rural Ireland and finds she has several rivals for her affections.

Hold My Hand (1938)
Music-hall veteran Stanley Lupino stars as the wealthy, kind-hearted Eddie Marston who, in spite of the services of a devoted secretary, a good friend and his fiancée, has succeeded in getting his affairs into a state approaching chaos.

Yes, Madam? (1938)
Irrepressible comic actor Bobby Howes stars with Diana Churchill as cousins who enter domestic service in order to earn their inheritance – only to find themselves working in the same house as the dastardly rival to the fortune!