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Some thoughts on
ARCHERS FILM MUSIC
Memories of the music used in
The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
and other Archers films

By: Jim Pople

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"Commando Patrol" Comp: Allan Gray
Rec: by The RAF Dance Orchestra. (AKA later "The Squadronaires")
Recorded for "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp"

Used in the opening sequence of motorcycle Despatch Riders and the trucks chasing Edith into London. Later issued on a Decca 10" 78 record and possibly on a compilation CD.

Also used in "A Canterbury Tale" as "radio" background to Bob and Peter in the "Hand Of Glory" bar working out the Glueman's dates.

 

"I See You Everywhere" Comp: Allan Gray
Used in the opening titles and the trucks arriving at "The Bull"

Vocal Version (Never used) Slow Foxtrot. Vocalist unknown

"I see you everywhere though we're far apart dear;
I see you everywhere right here in my heart.
And in the twilight, your thoughts I share,
I'm with you always, I see you everywhere."

Also used in "A Canterbury Tale" in the non vocal version. As above.

 

"The Mill Went Round and Around" Comp: Allan Gray
Used in the opening titles and the Berlin Café. (Candy and Edith) Orchestral version

Vocal Version (Never used.) Waltz. Vocalist unknown (male)

"A miller's daughter so sweet and coy,
She loved a lad in her Dad's employ;
She left the corn for that corny boy
And the mill went round and around.
No flower for baking what trouble it was making,
No bread for the people, no cookies for the king.
The population was so forlorn
Waiting for Gretchen to grind the corn,
They lived on air while romance was born,
And the mill went round and around"

 

"Beach Head Joe" Comp: Allan Gray
Rec: RAF Dance Orchestra. Quickstep Female vocalist unknown
Not used in "Blimp"

Non vocal version used in "I Know Where I'm Going!"

Beginning of film. As Joan and Father enter night club.

Vocal Version memory (hazy) recalls that a vocal version was shot for the night club scene by a female vocalist to playback of original but deleted from the final cut.

"They call him Beach Head Joe, he's just a ladies' man 'o war.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
But his strategy's really terrific; ask any mademoiselle.
He's got advanced techniques that Casanova'd never know
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Beach Head Joe."

 

A Military March (Untitled)

Candy, Theo and Edith by the bombsite of Candy's house.
"Here they come Sir......"
Also used in "A Canterbury Tale"
Troops marching to Burgate.

I had always believed that this March was composed by Allan Gray but research by Paul Tritton at Kneller Hall, although not finding a name for the piece, it is believed to be of German origin and as such, I suppose, would have been known to Allan Gray.

 

All this music was originally recorded for "The Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp". I had the sound tracks in my possession (!) when a junior in the cutting rooms as 35mm: optical sound. They were played on quiet days when the editor, John Seabourne, was away and it is strange that I can remember them to this day.

I also believe that the opening title music of "The Volunteer" was also a piece used somewhere in "Blimp"

 

 

JIM POPLE May 14^th 2002

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