Radio Parade of 1935 – 1934 | 96 mins | Comedy | B&W

Plot Synopsis

Although Will Hay gets top billing, this hardly qualifies as a Hay film. He appears, uncharacteristically suave and natty, as the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Group, a remote figure who has never seen his own studios and who has, in turn, rarely been seen by the staff. There is a budding romance between his daughter (Helen Chandler) and a pushing young manager of the complaints department, who has bright ideas for popularising radio. Villain of the piece is a theatrical agent (Alfred Drayton), who bans his contract stars from appearing on a big NBG show. But the staff, including office cleaners, turn out to be natural talents and put on their own show with immense success on the latest invention: large screen open-air television.

This wafer-thin plot is merely an excuse for a succession of rather mediocre turns, and some lavish routines done in a reach-me-down Busby Berkeley style. But Hay’s role is subordinate and could have been played by any competent actor. The film has a few satirical touches, but not enough to give its mild take-off of the BBC and its Portland Place foibles more than a curiosity value.