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.Bill Pertwee, Dad's Army: The Making of a TV Legend, Conway (2009) - Google Books pg. 110 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.1911 England Census for Edward Victor Henry Emmett - Ancestry.com In addition to his work as a narrator Emmett was also a screenwriter for Under the Southern Cross (1957), Dance Hall (1950),Dance Hall (1950) - British Film Institute Screenonline: the Definitive Guide to Britain's Film and TV History Bothered by a Beard (1945, which he also produced and directed), The Lion Has Wings (1939)The Lion Has Wings (1939) - British Film Institute Screenonline: the Definitive Guide to Britain's Film and TV History 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.Edward V H Emmett in the England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005 - Ancestry.com 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.Edward V H Emmett in the England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005 - Ancestry.com
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.England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995 for Edward Victor Henry Emmett (1971) - Ancestry.com
Filmography Narrator unless otherwise noted. Year Title Role Notes1934 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 version1939 The Arsenal Stadium Mystery Himself 1940 For Freedom Ted / Commentator 1940 Sailors Three Newsreel Commentator Voice, Uncredited1940 Civilian Front Commentary Short documentary1943 Get Cracking Commentator Voice1944 On Approval Narrator Voice1946Bothered by a BeardDirector, writer, narrator, producer1948 Easy Money Commentary 1949 Passport to Pimlico Newsreel Commentator Uncredited1951 The Galloping Major Narrator Uncredited1956 Private's Progress Narrator Voice, Uncredited1958 Skyport Narrator Documentary1959 Invitation to Monte Carlo Narrator Documentary1959 Look at Life Himself Documentary short1959 I'm All Right Jack Narrator Voice, UncreditedI'm All Right Jack (1959) - British Film Institute Screenonline: the Definitive Guide to Britain's Film and TV History1963 Billy Liar Newsreel Commentator Uncredited1964 Carry On Cleo Narrator VoiceCarry on Cleo (1964) - British Film Institute Screenonline: the Definitive Guide to Britain's Film and TV History
References
External links
http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/560335/