Actors playing the tuba in the movies & TV

[David Richoux]

Here is an odd one - a scene in "Dr. Phibes Rises Again" features Valli Kemp as "Vulnavia," holding a Sousaphone for no apparent reason.

Dr. Phibes Rises Again.jpg

I have not seen this film, so I have no idea why... or if she even plays a note. As one blogger says:

Dr. Phibes Rises Again has a few points of interest — Price gets to deliver lines such as "Nothing can stop me now!" and "So, we meet at last, Biederbeck!", we see Vulnavia in a Pharaoh's tomb holding a tuba for no reason other than it looks so loopy, and the film closes with Price singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" as he rafts, Huck Finn-like, down the River of Life, presumably on his way to elysian marital bliss — but otherwise this one's a dreary slog.

[David Richoux]

Here is proof of Emma Peel (Diana Rigg) playing tuba - from a review of a DVD set of "The Avengers"

emma peel plays tuba.jpg

Emma & Tuba.jpg

I watched many of those episodes when they were first shown on American TV, but I sure do not remember seeing THAT!
It was the first episode with Emma Peel, so maybe it never made it to the US run.

In “The Murder Market”, another piece of dialogue is conducted while Mrs Peel (for no apparent reason) practices playing a tuba! The light, jovial tone and outrageous, ingenious, surrealist plots of this particular series, combined with the cinematic black and white photography, is felt by many to represent the show at its pinnacle and it is certainly the case that it has never looked so pin sharp and detailed as it does on this new DVD set.

This episode owes one of its best scenes to a brainstorm by Patrick Macnee. Originally he was supposed to play the tuba, but he suggested that Diana Rigg do it instead. The director balked, but Macnee insisted, and the result proved his instinct was right—thereby helping to shape Emma's character. from another blog.

[Craig Garner]

In the movie "What's Your Number," an actor played Wagner's Bridal Chorus at the beginning of the wedding scene. (I was unable to locate credits for either the actor or who played tuba, but it was very nice playing!!) From what I recall (oddly, this is like the only part of this movie I remember....), the tuba had to play the wedding march because the harpist got delayed to the gig.

As a result of this movie, I kinda was hoping for an increase in the number of weddings asking for solo tuba to play the wedding march, but alas, this did not happen.

[circusboy]

Here is proof of Emma Peel (Diana Rigg) playing tuba - from a review of a DVD set of "The Avengers"

emma peel plays tuba.jpg

Emma & Tuba.jpg

OK, so who can name that tuba? Looks like quite the beast.