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Sam Small at Westminster
It's the 1935 general election and Stanley Holloway recites a comic monologue promoting the policies of the National Government.
Overview
Popular monologuist Stanley Holloway recalls what happened when comic character Sam Small visited Parliament in this funny promo film advocating the policies of the National Government. After becoming incensed at the unruly behaviour of opposition politicians, Sam cites the government's success in reducing unemployment and slum housing as reasons why it should continue to receive voters' support.
In the wake of the 1929 Wall Street Crash, the National Government, a coalition of the Labour, Conservative and Liberal parties, was formed in an attempt to stabilise the country's economy, with Labour's Ramsey MacDonald as PM. But both the Labour and Liberal parties were to become divided over their support for the government, and a general election was called soon after MacDonald retired in 1935. The National Government was returned to office, albeit with a reduced majority. Stanley Holloway was an actor and musical performer who incorporated comic monologues, particularly recounting the adventures of Sam Small, into his act from the 1920s to the 1950s.
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