DVD review: Alma Cogan - Her Fabulous Story, released October 26

3:33pm Tuesday 24th October 2006

SINGER Alma Cogan died at the tragically young age of 34 on October 26, 1966. To coincide with the 40th anniversary of her death, Odeon Entertainment has released Alma Cogan - Her Fabulous Story.

The DVD contains a fascinating documentary looking at the life and times of a 50s superstar as well as two Eric Winstone shows she appeared on.

She had 20 hit singles, more than any other female British singer of the time, was a TV star and even had her own newspaper column.

Her fun songs and glamour were just what Britain needed to counter the hard times of rationing after the Second World War.

Alma sings hits such as Sycamore Tree, I Can't Tell A Tango From A Waltz, Never Do A Tango With An Eskimo and Bell Bottom Blues.

But she also shows what a great voice she had with superb renditions of "serious" songs such as I Got Rhythm and Why Do Fools Fall In Love?

We also discover the more private side of Alma.

As a major celebrity, her love life was big news and she was linked with the likes of Cary Grant.

John Lennon had a crush on her and apparently Beatles manager Brian Epstein proposed to her, despite the fact he was gay.

One anecdote tells of when Alma went to a show where a male impersonator was performing as her.

After the show Alma visited his dressing room and presented him with one of her own dresses.

Alma's career declined as singers such as Dusty Springfield and Lulu arrived in the Swinging Sixties.

She did try to update her style but was stopped from doing this by her premature death from cancer.

This DVD is a fitting tribute to a great star and a genuinely decent person.

A fabulous story.