Tales From Tin Pan Alley
Britain's music street 'Tin Pan Alley' has resided in London's Denmark Street London since Francis, Day & Hunter the first music publishers moved-in in 1906.
It was home to songwriters, music venues, recording studios, rehearsal spaces, demo studios and music instruments shops, as well as being the birthplace of British Silent Cinema, before becoming London’s ‘Little Tokyo’ until World War 2.
30 people who worked in this legendary music street take us on a 110-year journey through Tin Pan Alley. They are aided by broadcaster-authors Dan Cruickshank, Paul French, Joshua Levine and Will Self. Contributors include singer Dame Vera Lynn, 'Skiffler' Chas McDevitt, The Small Faces' drummer Kenney Jones, David Bowie's bassist Herbie Flowers, Sex Pistols’ bassist Glen Matlock, Damned guitarist Captain Sensible, Beta Band’s Steve Mason, soul singer Linda Lewis, Tom Jones songwriter Barry Mason, Eurovision hit songwriter Bill Martin, Music Industry Legend Eric Hall, Acid Jazz’s Eddie Piller and Guardian journalist Simon Usbourne, among others
Redevelopment now threatens the future livelihood of music-based artisans in this historic street. The loss and destruction of areas of cultural heritage is naturally of international concern.
This is the first full length documentary to highlight this pressing matter.
CHRIS CHOI: ROYAL TV SOCIETY AWARD WINNER 2016-2017
Review of 26th October 2018
"A nuclear shelter, an IRA bomb, Britain's biggest mass murder and the roots of the UK Music Business: all in one street, all in one documentary!
I am riveted by Henry Scott-Irvine's film. Can't put it down. Great stories and pics. Tales From Tin Pan Alley gives a dazzling shot of the colour, personalities and zest being ripped from our cities. That so much individuality and style is being lost to the wrecking ball is a national scandal, which future generations will despise us for.
This documentary is wonderful. No wonder it's winning so many awards. Congratulations to Henry Scott-Irvine
Chris Choi - Consumer Affairs Editor ITN London "
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Henry Scott-IrvineDirector
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Henry Scott-IrvineProducer
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Project Type:Documentary, Feature, Television
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Runtime:1 hour 24 minutes 30 seconds
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Completion Date:April 2, 2018
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Production Budget:44,000 GBP
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Country of Origin:United Kingdom
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Country of Filming:United Kingdom
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:16.9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:No
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Los Angeles CinefestLos Angeles
United States
December 20, 2018
2019 Semi Finalist for Best Documentary Feature -
Creation International Film FestivalOttawa
Canada
May 31, 2018
Not screened in spite of Festival Selection
Official Selection - Best Film 'Trailer' -
Madrid International Film FestivalMadrid
Spain
July 24, 2018
World Premiere Screening
Official Selection for The Best Documentary Feature -
The Paris Art & Movie AwardsParis
France
June 25, 2018
not screened
Official Selection - Best Documentary Feature -
Mindfield Film FestivalLos Angeles
United States
September 28, 2018
Winner of The Gold Award for The Best Documentary Feature Film -
Mindfield Film FestivalLos Angeles
United States
September 28, 2018
Winner of The Platinum Award for The Best Film Trailer -
World Premiere Film AwardsOttawa
Canada
September 30, 2018
Winner of The Best Documentary Feature Film -
Global Trailer FestivalLos Angeles
United States
August 4, 2018
Sepember 18th
Winner of The Best Documentary Film Trailer -
Portobello International Film FestivalLondon
United Kingdom
August 30, 2018
UK Premiere
Winner of The Best Documentary Film Award -
Bristol Independent Film FestivalBristol
United Kingdom
September 15, 2018
Official Selection for The Best Documentary Feature -
Hollywood International Independent Documentary AwardsLos Angeles
United States
March 23, 2019
American Premiere
Winner of The Best Cultural Feature 2018 -
Liverpool International Film FestivalLiverpool
United Kingdom
November 9, 2018
Winner of The Best Documentary Feature Film -
TMFF - The Monthly Film FestivalGlasgow
United Kingdom
October 31, 2018
October 2018 Winner - 2nd Best Feature Film -
Newlyn International Film Festival, Cornwall, EnglandPenzance
United Kingdom
April 5, 2019
Cornish Premiere
Out of Competition but opening the festival at The Acorn Theatre -
North Europe International Film Festival - London Edition - aka Fusion LondonLondon
United Kingdom
February 22, 2019
East London Premiere
TFTPA Winner Best Documentary Feature Film. Also Nominated for Best Editing and Best Story Adapted For Screen -
Soundscreen Film Festival London at Regent St Cinema.London
United Kingdom
March 23, 2019
Selection at Soundscreen Film Festival at Regent St Cinema -
Crystal Palace International Film Festival (Picture House, Norwood, London)London
United Kingdom
March 26, 2019
Winner of The Best Documentary Feature 2019 -
Glastonbury 2019's CineramageddonGlastonbury
United Kingdom
June 27, 2019
Official Selection -
SouthWestFestLondon
United Kingdom
July 5, 2019
Official Showcase
Background as TV Archive Producer on over 150 Music Arts Documentaries since 1987; including, Status Quo - The Party Ain't Over Yet (2006) Punk Attitude (2005) The Elton John Story (2003) Pop On The Box (2003) The South Bank Show - Bernie Taupin (2002) Classic Albums - Elvis (2002) Classic Albums - Transformer (2002) Classic Albums - Never Mind The Bollocks (2001) Classic Albums - Goodbye Yellow Brick Rd (2001) John Lennon The Early Years (2001)
Author of The Ghosts of a Whiter Shade Of Pale with Forewords from Martin Scorsese and Sir Alan Parker (Omnibus Press) Features writer for Record Collector Magazine (2011-2015) and Radio Producer and Presenter of 400 radio shows at Resonance 104.4 fm London (2009 - 2016)
Founder-Chairman of The Save Denmark St Campaign (2014-2018), which has 36,000 change.org subscribers, linked into campaign sites at www.savetpa.tk and www.tinpanalleytales.co.uk with The Save Tin Pan Alley petition https://www.change.org/p/don-t-bin-tin-pan-alley
This led to his Save Denmark St TV spots (2014-2016) on The One Show, The Sunday Politics, BBC News, ITV News and London Live, following on from campaign achieved Grade 2 Star Listings of 3 buildings in Denmark St in conjunction with Historic England, English Heritage and Sex Pistol Glen Matlock.
Tales From Tin Pan Alley is told by key people who worked in London's Denmark Street. The interviews were given in the wake of music being threatened in Tin Pan Alley/Denmark Street.
The true 'unsung heroes' of Tin Pan Alley are the musicians, the songwriters, the music publishers, the technicians and the people from behind-the-scenes who have come out of the woodwork, out of history and out of retirement to approach us. Individuals that would be very hard to find in any other circumstance have come forward from across the globe, saying, 'We want to be in this special documentary film!'
We have them here now. This is their story - a contemporary urban Canterbury Tale - a vital testament from over 30 musicians, broadcasters and historians.
In 2018 Tin Pan Alley's 110 year old music legacy is currently in peril due to ensuing gentrification, leading to upcoming penthouse flats, hotels, restaurants and a shopping mall.
The legacy of those who worked in the street is our testament to Denmark Street's unique place in international cultural history.
The struggle for those remaining, continues ...