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E. V. H. Emmett

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

E. V. H. Emmett as himself in The Arsenal Stadium Mystery (1939)

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

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Narrator 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

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