Stan at the Movies

From the fifties (and earlier) and into the sixties, jazz would still have a place in the movies. Occasionally some of the film plots themselves would have a 'jazz' theme with even an occasional appearance from the musician themselves. The following are the films Stan has been on the soundtracks to. They represent an interesting insight into the trends and fashions of the day. The last entry of "Alfie" is still to this day a recognised classic 60's British film.

Genevieve (1953 comedy)

Two men race their vintage cars on the annual London to Brighton rally. "Genevieve" is the name of one of the cars, which, like her competitor, runs into one problem after another.
Dinah Sheridan, John Gregson, Kay Kendall. Kenneth More.
Had a popular soundtrack in it's day.
Original Music: Larry Adler.
Larry Adler (harmonica) Stan Tracey (piano)

Face the Music (1953 thriller)

Suspected of murdering a singer, idolised trumpeter James Bradley (Alex Nicol) finds himself wrongly accused of murder and sets out to clear his name. Finally, he uses a tape-recorder and snapshots to prove that recording studio manager Maurice Green (Geoffrey Keen) is a dangerous psychopath and a real killer.
Original Music: Kenny Baker. Stan Tracey (piano)

I Am a Camera (1955 drama)
Julie Harris.

In the early thirties, aspiring writer Christopher Isherwood, living in Berlin, meets the vivacious, penniless singer Sally Bowles. They develop a platonic relationship while Sally has a wild time spending other peoples money.
Stan was the piano player on screen as well as soundtrack.

Jazz Boat (1959 comedy thriller)

Songs : "Jazz boat", "Someone to love", "I wanna jive tonight" by Joe Henderson; "Don't talk to me about love" by Ken Hughes, Joe Henderson; "Oui, oui, oui" by Hubert Giraud, Michael Julien. with Anthony Newley, Anne Aubrey, Bernie Winters
Personnel on camera : Ted Heath and his Music
(including Don Lusher, trombone; Stan Tracey, piano).

Fantasia Romano (1960 story unknown)

Short film (under 30 minutes)
Soundtrack personnel Jimmy Deuchar, trumpet; Ronnie Scott, tenor sax; Stan Tracey, piano; Bobby Orr, drums.

Stolen Hours (1962 drama)

Racing drivers had a suitabley sixties jet set image. This one is concerned for an "old flame", Laura, who undergoes surgery then lives a hedonistic life. Until an accident at the race track brings her to her senses.
Susan Hayward, Michael Craig, Diane Baker also with Chet Baker as himself.
Musicians on soundtrack : Tubby Hayes (sax), Stan Tracey (piano)

Sounds of the Kalahari (1965 adventure drama)
Stuart Whitman, Stanley Baker, Susannah York,
Sandy survival corner, more grit than anyone could want.
Original Music by John Dankworth.
Johnny Dankworth (saxophone)
Stan Tracey (piano)

Alfie (1966 dramatic irony)

Michael Caine's first starring role. Scripted by Bill Naughton from his novel and play.

Original music by Sonny Rollins. Lyrics: Burt Bacharach.

With Sonny Rollins the film soundtrack was recorded with English musicians : Keith Christie(tb), Sonny Rollins, Ronnie Scott, Tubby Hayes (ts),
Stan Tracey(p), Ernie Shear or Dave Goldberg(g),Johnny Hawksworth(b) and Phil Seamen(d)