Billy Merson

An out-of-work comedian persuades a drunken nobleman to join a protest against the closing of a village hall.

Popular comedian Claude Dampier is seen at his best here, as he disrupts the sedate peace of Victorian England in his attempt to help a village blacksmith win both a bicycle race and the girl. Can the blacksmith's new bicycle design triumph over his rival's trusty penny farthing?

A mill worker with show biz dreams catches a big break when she's discovered by an ailing composer who's seeking the right singer for his songs.

'Strong man dreams of bungalow honeymoon with revue star.' (British Film Catalogue)

A Musical Revue featuring a number of prominent vaudeville and theatrical British artists of the day in songs, dances, dramatic and musical sketches.

'Billy Merson, the great Nottingham-born music hall performer, presents one of his signature numbers. The film clearly captures Merson's comic brilliance - he not only sings, but dances, skips and indulges in a lot of creative business with a lyre. Merson had been making films since 1915 and Desdemonia is often cited as Britain's first sound film.' (Robin Baker, BFI)