UNDERNEATH THE ARCHES

Flanagan and Allen were a British singing and comedy popular during . Its members were (1896 - 1968) and (1893 - 1982). They were first paired in a revue, and were booked by to appear at the in 1926.

As comedians, they would often feature a mixture of comedy and music in their act; this led to a successful recording career as a duo and roles in film and television. Just prior to and throughout the they appeared in several films helmed by and . Flanagan and Allen were both also members of and worked with that team for many years concurrently with their double-act career.

Flanagan and Allen's songs featured the same, usually gentle, humour for which the duo were known in their live performances, and during the Second World War they reflected the experiences of ordinary people during wartime. Songs like '' mocked the German defences (), while others like 'Miss You' sang of missing one's sweetheart during enforced absences. Other songs, such as"home town" and their most famous, '' (which Flanagan co-wrote with Reg Connelly), had universal themes such as friendship. The music was usually melodic, following a binary verse, verse chorus structure, with a small or orchestra providing the accompaniment. The vocals were distinctive because while Flanagan was at least a competent singer and sang the melody lines, Allen used an almost spoken delivery to provide the harmonies.

The recordings of Flanagan and Allen remain popular, and the duo are frequently impersonated by professionals and amateurs. often feature people 'doing a Flanagan and Allen', notably and , and .

DISC DETAILS:

UK COLUMBIA DB 2725  10" 78rpm shellac

SIDE 1: - UNDERNEATH THE ARCHES

SIDE 2:-  HEY NEIGHBOUR!

CONDITION - EX  label is duller than it appears in the scan