I’VE GOTTA HORSE

UK, 1965, 92 minutes, Colour.

Billy Fury, Michael Medwin, Amanda Barrie, The Bachelors, Bill Fraser, Leslie Dwyer, Marjorie Rhodes.

Directed by Kenneth Hume.

Billy Fury was a popular British singer of the 1960s. He came after such celebrities as Tommy Steele and Cliff Richard. And they coincided with The Beatles and the emergence of The Rolling Stones. They are symbolic of a change in taste for popular music from the 1950s to rock ‘n’ roll.

Billy Fury made few films. And, in this one, he appears as himself, a friendly and genial personality, lover of animals – which he was in real life. He had a racehorse, Anselmo, who features also in this film, receiving a credit as do Billy Fury’s dogs.

The film is very slight in plot, the putting on a show. Michael Medwin, with Amanda Barrie as his assistant, is Billy’s manager. The producer is the perpetually grumbling and demanding Bill Fraser. The popular group, The Bachelors, provide a supporting cast.

Audiences will share the joy incest of character actor, Leslie Dwyer, as Billy’s friend and assistant, joining in the singing and dancing, enjoying himself.

The film is full of songs, the popular style of the late 1950s into the 1960s, very reminiscent of Cliff Richard (as is the whole film). It would seem that any occasion offers the opportunity for a song. And, there are quite a number of song and dance routines on stage.

And, there are a lot of animals, including songs about them and the title song as well. Plenty of dogs, and some racehorses and a big finale race.

Billy Fury is not so well remembered these years – but, this is a pleasant reminder of his abilities and personality, there is also a reminder that this film was released in 1965, the year of the release of the Beatles’ A Hard Day’s Night, indicating a different musical style and sensibility.