SLADE IN FLAME
Slade's film "Slade In Flame" hit the silver screen in 1975. Here's some background stories about the making of the movie and the premiere.
Fan Club members outside the Rainbow - 1974
Chas and Slade decided to make the movie "Slade in Flame" in 1974. They had been offered several scripts but liked Andrew Birkin's the best. The movie was directed by Richard Longcraine.
I was aware from Susie Ching that concert scenes were being filmed for "Slade In Flame" in London during the Summer holidays of '74. I was disappointed that the sessions, filmed at the Hammersmith Palais and the Rainbow in Finsbury Park, clashed with my family holidays in Devon. I couldn't go! Lots of the known fans appeared in the concert scenes. A big fan was a girl from Watford called Sue. She really liked Don (and was known to his parents - as she visited them all the time). JJ (Slade roadie) told me at the time that she tried numerous times to get on stage during the filming and make it to Don. However, each time the bouncers managed to pull her back. In the final cut Richard Longcraine said "let her go" - so that she was allowed to reach the stage, and run up to Don. It was this final cut that was used in the finished film. (You will see Sue wearing a red bomber jacket in the film - and actually being carried away by JJ).
I was aware from Susie Ching that concert scenes were being filmed for "Slade In Flame" in London during the Summer holidays of '74. I was disappointed that the sessions, filmed at the Hammersmith Palais and the Rainbow in Finsbury Park, clashed with my family holidays in Devon. I couldn't go! Lots of the known fans appeared in the concert scenes. A big fan was a girl from Watford called Sue. She really liked Don (and was known to his parents - as she visited them all the time). JJ (Slade roadie) told me at the time that she tried numerous times to get on stage during the filming and make it to Don. However, each time the bouncers managed to pull her back. In the final cut Richard Longcraine said "let her go" - so that she was allowed to reach the stage, and run up to Don. It was this final cut that was used in the finished film. (You will see Sue wearing a red bomber jacket in the film - and actually being carried away by JJ).
Invite to filming at The Rainbow - 4 September 1974
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Invite to filming at The Rainbow on 21 October 1974 - that was subsequently cancelled
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Newcastle Premiere January 1975.
What was disappointing for the film crew, was that many fans turned up to the filming wearing Slade gear - despite being asked not to. However to assist with the Flame theme - the film crew gave away lots of Flame T-shirts and banners etc. My freind John Berry still has one of the Flame flags to this day.
My disappointment in missing the filming was eased when I got a letter from "Di" at the Fan Club saying that they were going to film more scenes at the Rainbow. This was because much of the filming of the crowd was very dark - and they wanted a better quality cut for the film. However, despite sending out the invites, the filming was eventually cancelled - due to budget constraints. So I was disappointed once more! (And the crowd scenes in the finished movie remained "dark").
When the film was actually released Slade arranged two premieres.
The first Premiere was held in the North - at the Pavilion Theatre in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, on 12th January 1975. Why - I don't know? All I can presume is that the band decided to try the film out on a Northern audience first. As Manager, Chas Chandler, and Assistant Manager, John Steel, both came from Newcastle - maybe that's the reason why they chose this location.
The second Premiere was held in London. The band thought this high profile event at the Metropole Cinema in Victoria would be made better if fans were allowed to attend too. The Premiere was to be held on 13th February 1975. As soon as I found out I was straight round to see Susie in Slade's office to get some free tickets. She gave me a pile and I took some mates from school along. We got to the cinema early - on the hunt for the band.
My disappointment in missing the filming was eased when I got a letter from "Di" at the Fan Club saying that they were going to film more scenes at the Rainbow. This was because much of the filming of the crowd was very dark - and they wanted a better quality cut for the film. However, despite sending out the invites, the filming was eventually cancelled - due to budget constraints. So I was disappointed once more! (And the crowd scenes in the finished movie remained "dark").
When the film was actually released Slade arranged two premieres.
The first Premiere was held in the North - at the Pavilion Theatre in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, on 12th January 1975. Why - I don't know? All I can presume is that the band decided to try the film out on a Northern audience first. As Manager, Chas Chandler, and Assistant Manager, John Steel, both came from Newcastle - maybe that's the reason why they chose this location.
The second Premiere was held in London. The band thought this high profile event at the Metropole Cinema in Victoria would be made better if fans were allowed to attend too. The Premiere was to be held on 13th February 1975. As soon as I found out I was straight round to see Susie in Slade's office to get some free tickets. She gave me a pile and I took some mates from school along. We got to the cinema early - on the hunt for the band.
The wrist of Jim on the balcony!
As we came out of Victoria Underground Station you couldn't miss the Metropole. Chas had hired two army trucks with enormous spotlights (like the ones used in the war to search out German bombers). The sky was light up with enormous beams - and the general public were all milling around to see what was going on.
Chas's organisation of the event was carefully planned. Fans were invited early and seated quickly, downstairs in the Stalls, and then were locked in. (I don't think they would be able to do this nowadays with all the health and safety issues).
All us fans could do was look through the glass in the doors as we then saw the VIPs arrive. Mud, Sweet, Suzi Quatro, Lynsey De Paul, The Troggs, The Arrows and even "Miss Diane" from Crossroads all turned up. Followed of course by Slade, and the other cast members, who sat on the balcony. I remember managing to see the band - they were posing for photos on the staircase.
Dave Hill told me later that PR had been arranged so that Slade would turn up at the event, after the fans had been seated, on the back of a vintage fire engine. They had been waiting around the corner to the cinema - in the freezing cold (it was February after all). As they waited, Sweet swept past in their Roller. The Sweet were never big friends of Slade. Steve Priest wound down his window and sneered "Bet you're bleeding cold"!
Chas's organisation of the event was carefully planned. Fans were invited early and seated quickly, downstairs in the Stalls, and then were locked in. (I don't think they would be able to do this nowadays with all the health and safety issues).
All us fans could do was look through the glass in the doors as we then saw the VIPs arrive. Mud, Sweet, Suzi Quatro, Lynsey De Paul, The Troggs, The Arrows and even "Miss Diane" from Crossroads all turned up. Followed of course by Slade, and the other cast members, who sat on the balcony. I remember managing to see the band - they were posing for photos on the staircase.
Dave Hill told me later that PR had been arranged so that Slade would turn up at the event, after the fans had been seated, on the back of a vintage fire engine. They had been waiting around the corner to the cinema - in the freezing cold (it was February after all). As they waited, Sweet swept past in their Roller. The Sweet were never big friends of Slade. Steve Priest wound down his window and sneered "Bet you're bleeding cold"!
Fans in the Stalls - awaiting the arrival of the band
I also I remember chatting for the first time to Fran Tucker, another die-hard fan, who took her seat alongside me. I became friendly with Fran years later - and she reminded me that we had talked at the premiere.
The funniest thing I recall was seeing at the event was Alan Lake and Diana Dors (Lake's wife) edge their way across the front of the balcony. A guy shouted "Alan, Alan!" to get his attention. As soon as he acknowledged, the guy shouted "Do you know what?". And Alan responded "What?". Then the guy responded with "You're wife ain't half got big tits!".
It brought the house down - and you could see Lake chuckling too.
I remember that at the end of the movie the fans initially sat there in stony silence. It is quite a shock the way the film just closes with the shadow of Ron Harding (Johnny Shannon) taking off his glasses - as Stoker tells him it's all over. It was me who started the clapping and cheering (although I always used to be really shy).
Once again, at the end, the fans were held back, with the Stall doors locked, until Slade and the VIPs had left.
The funniest thing I recall was seeing at the event was Alan Lake and Diana Dors (Lake's wife) edge their way across the front of the balcony. A guy shouted "Alan, Alan!" to get his attention. As soon as he acknowledged, the guy shouted "Do you know what?". And Alan responded "What?". Then the guy responded with "You're wife ain't half got big tits!".
It brought the house down - and you could see Lake chuckling too.
I remember that at the end of the movie the fans initially sat there in stony silence. It is quite a shock the way the film just closes with the shadow of Ron Harding (Johnny Shannon) taking off his glasses - as Stoker tells him it's all over. It was me who started the clapping and cheering (although I always used to be really shy).
Once again, at the end, the fans were held back, with the Stall doors locked, until Slade and the VIPs had left.
Slade at the London Premiere - 13 February 1975
I saw this photo being taken at the time...
Slade at the Kilburn State - my local cinema - 1975
Outside the Metropole I spoke to Les Gray and Dave Mount (both from Mud, and both now deceased). They were both really enthusiastic about the film. I remember Dave Mount asking me how I felt about the film - keen to know what fans made of it. Of course I thought it was brill. I asked him about the film that Mud had just completed "Never Too Young To Rock" (with the Glitter Band and the Rubettes). Dave was dismissive of their efforts - saying it was just a muck around and nothing like the Slade film. Slade's was a "proper" film. After the Premiere I went to several showings of the film.
I went to both my local cinemas (the Kilburn State Cinema and the Swiss Cottage Odeon). At both venues I would go to the lunchtime showing, but would sit in all day, so that I also saw the late afternoon and evening showings too. I used to take plenty of food with me! No wonder I soon knew the movie word-for-word. Slade actually turned up at one of the showings in Kilburn (which at the time had the highest number of seats of any cinema in Europe) to be presented with a Gold Disc for the "Flame" album by the cinema manager.
I went to both my local cinemas (the Kilburn State Cinema and the Swiss Cottage Odeon). At both venues I would go to the lunchtime showing, but would sit in all day, so that I also saw the late afternoon and evening showings too. I used to take plenty of food with me! No wonder I soon knew the movie word-for-word. Slade actually turned up at one of the showings in Kilburn (which at the time had the highest number of seats of any cinema in Europe) to be presented with a Gold Disc for the "Flame" album by the cinema manager.
"The" Slade indeed!
Years later, in 1980, before the film was released on VHS or DVD, I arranged a public showing at The Essential cinema in Wardour Street. I promised the cinema manager that I would spread the word with Slade fans - and that he would get a full house. I'm pleased to say he did! I actually took Don along with me - and he paid to go in to his own film. The cinema manager arranged several other showings in the following year beacuse it had proved so popular.
I still watch the DVD of "Flame" to this day and still rate it as a great film. Nod and Don both came across as naturals in front of the camera. The casting of Nina Thomas, who played the role of Paul's wife Julie, was excellent. I knew Jim's wife Louise in real life and her voice and mannerisms were so like the real thing! Also, I loved the mention in the film to Barry (Dave Hill) having his 21st birthday. In one scene Charlie's (i.e. Don's) old boss Harold says "You what? Barry 21 again?". This was a fun poke at Slade themselves who had had their birth years amended by Chas so that they were all younger than they really were. Chas had given Nod and Don birth years of 1950 (instead of the reality of 1946), Dave 1952 (instead of 1946) and Jim 1952 (instead of 1949). Most fans knew that these dates were made up - I mean Jim would have been only 13 when he joined the N Betweens in 1966!
My one big bug with the movie is that the novel, Flame (by John Pidgeon), which was written after the movie had been completed, was even more graphic than the finished film. If the novel's storyline had been followed, it would have made an ever better movie. However, it would have probably been too adult for Slade's young audience.
I still watch the DVD of "Flame" to this day and still rate it as a great film. Nod and Don both came across as naturals in front of the camera. The casting of Nina Thomas, who played the role of Paul's wife Julie, was excellent. I knew Jim's wife Louise in real life and her voice and mannerisms were so like the real thing! Also, I loved the mention in the film to Barry (Dave Hill) having his 21st birthday. In one scene Charlie's (i.e. Don's) old boss Harold says "You what? Barry 21 again?". This was a fun poke at Slade themselves who had had their birth years amended by Chas so that they were all younger than they really were. Chas had given Nod and Don birth years of 1950 (instead of the reality of 1946), Dave 1952 (instead of 1946) and Jim 1952 (instead of 1949). Most fans knew that these dates were made up - I mean Jim would have been only 13 when he joined the N Betweens in 1966!
My one big bug with the movie is that the novel, Flame (by John Pidgeon), which was written after the movie had been completed, was even more graphic than the finished film. If the novel's storyline had been followed, it would have made an ever better movie. However, it would have probably been too adult for Slade's young audience.
The band's arrival at the London premiere
Final note - the sequence in the movie whereby Flame are being filmed at a Fire Station didn't quite make sense. Russell the roadie in the movie approaches Dave Hill ("Barry") and is sent away saying "it's the wrong colour". The scene was trying to show was that "Barry" had sent out for the roadie to get him some glitter (like Dave would have worn in real life) - but the viewers couldn't see what Russell was offering Barry. The scene made no sense to me at all until I realised years later!
(FYI - By 1983 The Metropole cinema, used for the film premiere, was a few years later converted into a rock venue called....The Venue. I went with Don to see Chas Chandler do a special "press only" concert with The Animals. The Animals were announcing their comeback tour - and earned big money playing large arenas in the US). The Venue has now subsequently closed - and an Italian restaurant uses the site.
(FYI - By 1983 The Metropole cinema, used for the film premiere, was a few years later converted into a rock venue called....The Venue. I went with Don to see Chas Chandler do a special "press only" concert with The Animals. The Animals were announcing their comeback tour - and earned big money playing large arenas in the US). The Venue has now subsequently closed - and an Italian restaurant uses the site.
SLADE IN FLAME - EXTRAS
Flame - Shown again
More about the re-showings of Flame:-
In 1980 I managed to arrange for the Flame movie to be re-shown again in London.
After the original screenings of the movie in 1975, it had never been shown again in the UK until 1979.
A few fans in the Nottingham area arranged a one-off afternoon showing at the Mansfield ABC.
Don Powell's girlfriend at the time, Annie, was keen to see the movie. So me and Kevin Massey travelled with her by train, to Alfreton and Parkway Station, to get to the cinema. Annie really enjoyed it, although the audience count was only 10 customers! I was so pleased to see the film again on the big screen again after 4 years, I thought that I should organise a London showing and try and get a bigger audience.
I contacted Derek Hill, the then Manager of an independent cinema called The Essential. It was in London's Wardour Street (just round the corner to Soho - where there were plenty of other "alternative" cinemas).
I promised the Manager that if he arranged a screening that I would guarantee a sell out audience.
In 1980 I managed to arrange for the Flame movie to be re-shown again in London.
After the original screenings of the movie in 1975, it had never been shown again in the UK until 1979.
A few fans in the Nottingham area arranged a one-off afternoon showing at the Mansfield ABC.
Don Powell's girlfriend at the time, Annie, was keen to see the movie. So me and Kevin Massey travelled with her by train, to Alfreton and Parkway Station, to get to the cinema. Annie really enjoyed it, although the audience count was only 10 customers! I was so pleased to see the film again on the big screen again after 4 years, I thought that I should organise a London showing and try and get a bigger audience.
I contacted Derek Hill, the then Manager of an independent cinema called The Essential. It was in London's Wardour Street (just round the corner to Soho - where there were plenty of other "alternative" cinemas).
I promised the Manager that if he arranged a screening that I would guarantee a sell out audience.
Lunch - while filming Flame
We arranged a showing for Sunday 2nd March 1980 - and I promoted the event in the Fan Club newsletter. It was a sell-out. About a hundred and fifty fans packed into the cinema. Don Powell was keen to go himself - and after an afternoon drinking we turned up at the cinema with Alan Heywood (Don's Accountant), Miles Tredinnick (Riff Regan from punk band London), friend Paul Ferrari and a few others. The look on people's faces was amazing. Fans were astonished to find Don sitting amongst them!
I remember that as the film started a guy called John Berry was sitting in the row behind me and Don. He asked Don for an autograph and asked if Don knew if "Dave Kemp" had turned up yet... Don said he had - and pointed to me sitting next to him! John and I subsequently became great friends - going to many Slade events together ....and now I can't shake him off as he works with me!
Because of the success of the initial showing, The Essential arranged monthly showings of Flame in 1980 (Sunday 19th April, then 23 May, and others...). I went to see it again myself several times - and I was really pleased that fans travelled from all over the UK to London to see the movie again.
I remember that as the film started a guy called John Berry was sitting in the row behind me and Don. He asked Don for an autograph and asked if Don knew if "Dave Kemp" had turned up yet... Don said he had - and pointed to me sitting next to him! John and I subsequently became great friends - going to many Slade events together ....and now I can't shake him off as he works with me!
Because of the success of the initial showing, The Essential arranged monthly showings of Flame in 1980 (Sunday 19th April, then 23 May, and others...). I went to see it again myself several times - and I was really pleased that fans travelled from all over the UK to London to see the movie again.
The Flame Daimler
Photo courtesy of Rod Fox
An old Daimler used by the band was tarted up with flames painted on the doors. It was used in a sequence in the film when Flame were doing a photo shoot at the fire station.
Dave's Dad Jack, who used to be a car mechanic, oversaw the process.
Apparently, the finished car sat outside his house for several days. He even used it drive around Wolverhampton - visiting places like the local Fish and Chip shop! He said kids was stare in amazement - or wave thinking Slade were on board. What a sight it must have been seeing a 70 year old grandad behind the wheel ..... heaven forbid if Dave's dogs Sabre and Winny were in the backseats!
Dave's Dad Jack, who used to be a car mechanic, oversaw the process.
Apparently, the finished car sat outside his house for several days. He even used it drive around Wolverhampton - visiting places like the local Fish and Chip shop! He said kids was stare in amazement - or wave thinking Slade were on board. What a sight it must have been seeing a 70 year old grandad behind the wheel ..... heaven forbid if Dave's dogs Sabre and Winny were in the backseats!
Flame press
Flame Guitars
The crowd inside The Rainbow
Slade commissioned special Flame style guitars to be made by Framus (in Germany). Unfortunately the guitars didn't arrive on time - and couldn't be used for the Rainbow concert.
They were therefore used (out of sequence) for the Hammersmith Palais gig - which was filmed after the Rainbow - but was supposedly earlier in the band's career (when they wouldn't have had such flashy guitars).
I think that the band were really disappointed that the guitars hadn't turned up on time.
They were therefore used (out of sequence) for the Hammersmith Palais gig - which was filmed after the Rainbow - but was supposedly earlier in the band's career (when they wouldn't have had such flashy guitars).
I think that the band were really disappointed that the guitars hadn't turned up on time.
Portobello Road public toilets
The disused toilets in Talbot Road, W11.
Nod filmed his market stall scenes at Portobello Road market in West London.
He was selling china dinner service sets from a stall - that apparently "would chip, but would not break". During this sequence Jim visits Nod, and they walk down to the public toilets together to "spend a penny".
Shortly after the film was released, I was down Portobello Road, and couldn't resist visiting the scene.
I found the toilets actually in Talbot Road, W11 (quite near to what is now Rough Trade Records, and just off Portobello Road).
Other fans had been there before me.....slogans such as "Nod was here" and "Nod's banged one out here" were graffitied over the walls!
The toilets unfortunately are now no longer used, but still remain as a relic to the 1974 filming...
He was selling china dinner service sets from a stall - that apparently "would chip, but would not break". During this sequence Jim visits Nod, and they walk down to the public toilets together to "spend a penny".
Shortly after the film was released, I was down Portobello Road, and couldn't resist visiting the scene.
I found the toilets actually in Talbot Road, W11 (quite near to what is now Rough Trade Records, and just off Portobello Road).
Other fans had been there before me.....slogans such as "Nod was here" and "Nod's banged one out here" were graffitied over the walls!
The toilets unfortunately are now no longer used, but still remain as a relic to the 1974 filming...
Jack Barclay Cars
Jack Barclay cars in Mayfair
The car showroom that Dave and Don visited in the film is Jack Barclay in Berkeley Square, Mayfair.
The showroom was used as a favour to Chas - who bought his cars there. Also I understand that he did a deal so that Don, Dave and Jim bought their Rollers there too!
The showroom was used as a favour to Chas - who bought his cars there. Also I understand that he did a deal so that Don, Dave and Jim bought their Rollers there too!
London Buses
The Glasgow premiere of Flame - 1975
I always regret not taking a photo of the London buses during the start of '75.
To promote the film, the sides of the red London buses had the words "Slade In Flame....A record......A Film.......A Book" emblazened, together with pictures of all four members.
If anyone has a photo of this promotion then I'd love to see it.
To promote the film, the sides of the red London buses had the words "Slade In Flame....A record......A Film.......A Book" emblazened, together with pictures of all four members.
If anyone has a photo of this promotion then I'd love to see it.
Lend A Hand
Has anyone notice the eerie extra hand in the coffin scene?
You will remember Nod signing the "Sweet Little Ghoul Called Colleen" (called "This Girl" on the Flame album) when he was locked up in the coffin (by Jack Daniels). If look carefully you can see that there's an extra (live) hand in the coffin with Nod.
What was that all about?
You will remember Nod signing the "Sweet Little Ghoul Called Colleen" (called "This Girl" on the Flame album) when he was locked up in the coffin (by Jack Daniels). If look carefully you can see that there's an extra (live) hand in the coffin with Nod.
What was that all about?
Flamin' America
Ambassadoe Theatre - 1975
The Flame movie was shown in selected "strongholds" in the America.
The US premiere took place at the Ambassadore Theatre in St Louis on 12 September 1975. St Louis was chosen as it was the place in the US where Slade got the best live reception in the mid-70's.
(After the screening it was realised that many Americans couldn't actually understand the band's Midlands accents in the movie. Therefore subtitles were added for all further American showings).
The US premiere took place at the Ambassadore Theatre in St Louis on 12 September 1975. St Louis was chosen as it was the place in the US where Slade got the best live reception in the mid-70's.
(After the screening it was realised that many Americans couldn't actually understand the band's Midlands accents in the movie. Therefore subtitles were added for all further American showings).
Flame cinema photocards
I had a set of Flame photocards that were used in local cinemas to promote the film.
However, my set were stolen many moons ago by an unscrupulous fan. I reproduce the collection (below) courtesy of David Graham (Slade In England) who also has a set...
However, my set were stolen many moons ago by an unscrupulous fan. I reproduce the collection (below) courtesy of David Graham (Slade In England) who also has a set...
Flame Stills
Thanks to Alan Tennie from Glasgow for allowing me to use these B&W pics.
More Flame Stills
