Edward Victor Henry Emmett, known as E. V. H. Emmett (17 June 1902, London – 7 June 1971, London), was a British newsreader. Though his main job was as a commentator for Gaumont British News, he was frequently used as a narrator for films from the 1930s to 1950s. In the first series of Dad's Army broadcast in 1968 he was the narrator over the humorous short Public Information Films of the platoon seen at the beginning of each episode.[1] By the time of the colour episodes in 1969 the films had been discontinued.
Emmett was born in Brixton in London in 1902, the son of Elizabeth Annie née Denyer (1871–) and Josephus Walter Victor Emmett (1872–1941), an insurance clerk.[2] In addition to his work as a narrator Emmett was also a screenwriter for Under the Southern Cross (1957), Dance Hall (1950),[3] Bothered by a Beard (1945, which he also produced and directed), The Lion Has Wings (1939)[4] and Sabotage (1936), along with additional dialogue for Young Man's Fancy (1940), The Ware Case (1938) and Non-Stop New York (1937).
He married Ethel M Stanton (1897-) in 1929 in London.[5] In 1939 the couple were living in Marylebone in London. The marriage was later dissolved. In 1949 he married Joyce Annette Stanley (1917-1997) in London.[6]
E. V. H. Emmett lived at 4 Montpelier Court on Montpelier Road in Ealing, London W.5. On his death in Ealing in 1971 he left £624 in his will.[7]
Filmography
editNarrator unless otherwise noted.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | The Camels Are Coming | Commentator | |
| 1937 | Non-Stop New York | ||
| 1937 | Wings of the Morning | Racing Commentator | |
| 1938 | The Ware Case | ||
| 1939 | The Lion Has Wings | Narrator | UK version |
| 1939 | The Arsenal Stadium Mystery | Himself | |
| 1940 | For Freedom | Ted / Commentator | |
| 1940 | Sailors Three | Newsreel Commentator | Voice, Uncredited |
| 1940 | Civilian Front | Commentary | Short documentary |
| 1943 | Get Cracking | Commentator | Voice |
| 1944 | On Approval | Narrator | Voice |
| 1948 | Easy Money | Commentary | |
| 1949 | Passport to Pimlico | Newsreel Commentator | Uncredited |
| 1951 | The Galloping Major | Narrator | Uncredited |
| 1956 | Private's Progress | Narrator | Voice, Uncredited |
| 1958 | Skyport | Narrator | Documentary |
| 1959 | Invitation to Monte Carlo | Narrator | Documentary |
| 1959 | Look at Life | Himself | Documentary short |
| 1959 | I'm All Right Jack | Narrator | Voice, Uncredited[8] |
| 1963 | Billy Liar | Newsreel Commentator | Uncredited |
| 1964 | Carry on Cleo | Narrator | Voice[9] |
References
edit- ^ Bill Pertwee, Dad's Army: The Making of a TV Legend, Conway (2009) - Google Books pg. 110
- ^ 1911 England Census for Edward Victor Henry Emmett - Ancestry.com (subscription required)
- ^ Dance Hall (1950) - British Film Institute Screenonline: the Definitive Guide to Britain's Film and TV History
- ^ The Lion Has Wings (1939) - British Film Institute Screenonline: the Definitive Guide to Britain's Film and TV History
- ^ Edward V H Emmett in the England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005 - Ancestry.com (subscription required)
- ^ Edward V H Emmett in the England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005 - Ancestry.com (subscription required)
- ^ England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995 for Edward Victor Henry Emmett (1971) - Ancestry.com (subscription required)
- ^ I'm All Right Jack (1959) - British Film Institute Screenonline: the Definitive Guide to Britain's Film and TV History
- ^ Carry on Cleo (1964) - British Film Institute Screenonline: the Definitive Guide to Britain's Film and TV History