Discoveries

Highbury
1939-06
Sound
67m

This morale-boosting variety extravaganza – filled with radio personality Carroll Levis' discoveries - is like a wartime Britain's Got Talent.

Touring England in search of talent, something like a 1930s Simon Cowell, Canadian-born wireless personality Carroll Levis hosted a BBC Radio series in the pre-war years showcasing his "discoveries". This cinema spinoff includes performances by some of the young unknowns he discovered, including singers, comedians, and a couple of rather good Laurel and Hardy impersonators.

While this unashamedly patriotic variety spectacular was shot before conflict commenced, the clouds of war were visible on the horizon – and pride of place is given to a rousingly flag-waving rendition of There'll Always Be an England, sung by a well-scrubbed lad surrounded by the stoic Empire troops who stand at the ready.

Life Under Fire

The horror of Luftwaffe bombs coloured daily life in Britain's cities and beyond, and war brought myriad daily hardships besides. But Britain could take it!

The Blitz receded after May 1941, but even after the Battle of Britain, the nation faced a barrage of incendiary bombs, V-1s and V-2s. While young men fought Axis powers across three continents, their families listened anxiously to the wireless, while many worried too about children far from home. But in the face of the destruction, sirens, blackouts and hours in shelters, the now-legendary 'Blitz spirit' kept despair at bay. Britain held her nerve thanks to mutual support, defiance and wit - plus a good grumble and as many cups of tea as rationing allowed.