PLAY UP THE BAND

GB
1935
1hr 11mins
Dir: Harry Hughes
Starring: Stanley Holloway and Betty Ann Davies

The Heckdyke Brass Band head south for a national competition in London

This musical comedy has some scenes filmed at a Midland Region station called ‘Heckdyke’ in the film, which in reality was Dunstable North, on the former LNWR cross-country line from Leighton Buzzard to Welwyn Garden City. The locomotive at the head of the departing train is Fowler Class 4P 2-6-4T No.2403, one of the last batch built in 1933 that differed from the rest in having a side window and doors. There are also some street scenes in London that feature trams. These include shots around the Elephant & Castle and along the Camberwell Road, with one tram working Route 60, which ran between Southwark Bridge and Dulwich. With thanks to reelstreets for the screen captures.

Crowds gather on the station platform to see the band off. This is Dunstable North station and the loco just creeping into shot is LMS 2-6-4T No.2403.
Lots of cheering as the band proceeds further down the platform
This interesting photo from the Dunstable Gazette shows the film crew in action at Dunstable North station, masquerading as Heckdyke. The locomotive creeping into shot looks to be a rare glimpse of an old LNWR Webb 2-4-2 tank, unless someone knows differently.
We are now in London, and this shot taken from the Elephant & Castle Hotel sees a tram at the junction of Newington Butts and St. George’s Road.
Looking down Camberwell Road and the approaching tram is working Route 60, Southwark Bridge to Dulwich
This shot is now looking north down Camberwell Road and another tram is in the distance