The Golden Disc (also known as The In-Between Age) is a 1958 British pop musical film. It features pop singer Terry Dene as himself in a story in which he tops the best-seller charts, whereas in his real life he never made the top ten. The film was directed by Don Sharp, who was married to the leading lady Mary Steele.
It was re-released on DVD by Renown Pictures Ltd in 2010.
Plot
A young man and woman help her aunt open a trendy coffee bar and they discover a singing star.
Cast
Lee Patterson as Harry Blair
Mary Steele as Joan Farmer
Terry Dene as himself
Linda Gray as Aunt Sarah
Ronald Adam as Mr. Dryden
Peter Dyneley as Mr. Washington
David Jacobs as himself
Richard Turner as Morose Man
Marianne Stone as Dryden's Secretary
Olive Milbourn as Mrs Simpson
Redmond Phillips as 1st Recording Engineer
Dennis Lotis as himself
Nancy Whiskey as herself
Hobeaux as Themselves
Murray Campbell as himself
Sheila Buxton as herself
Phil Seamen Jazz Group as Themselves
Sonny Stewart & his Skiffle Kings as Themselves
Terry Kennedy Group as Themselves
Production
The film was shot at Walton Studios. It was a vehicle for Terry Dene who had three top twenty hits in Britain.
The film was one of several British pop films set around coffee bars, others including The Tommy Steele Story, Serious Charge, Beat Girl and Expresso Bongo. Director Don Sharp said it was made at a time when "everybody was making a musical". His wife Mary played the female lead.
Filming started on 23 September 1957. Jack Phillips of Butchers Film Productions, who made the film, claimed the film was "not an imitation of The Tommy Steele Story or anything like this" even though it was a musical vehicle for a pop star.
Songs
‘I’m Gonna Wrap You Up’ (by Ray Mack, Philip Green) performed by Dennis Lotis
‘Before We Say Goodnight’ (by Norman Newell, Philip Green) performed by Mary Steele ‘Dynamo’ (by Tommy Connor) performed by Les Hobeaux Skiffle Group ‘C’min and be Loved’ (by Len Paverman) performed by Terry Dene ‘Charm’ (by Ray Mack, Philip Green) performed by Terry Dene ‘The In-between Age’ (by Ray Mack, Philip Green) performed by Sheila Buxton ‘Let Me Lie’ (by Sonny & Stewart) performed by Sonny Stewart and his Skiffle Kings ‘Candy Floss’ (by Len Paverman) performed by Terry Dene ‘Lower Deck’ (by Phil Seamon) performed by Phil Seamon Jazz Group ‘Balmoral Melody’ (by Philip Green) performed by Murray Campbell ‘Johnny O’ (by Len Praverman) performed by Nancy Whiskey and Sonny Stewart and his Skiffle Kings ‘The Golden Age’ (by Michael Robbins, Richard Dix) performed by Terry Dene.
Reception
The film was not a success at the box office, a factor which was thought to have contributed to Dene showing symptoms of unstable behaviour.