Marc Bolan (December 16, 1972) – “Not So Much A Film – More A Concert” Feature – Record Mirror.
Record Mirror reviews Born To Boogie, with Val Mabbs examining Ringo Starr’s film of Marc Bolan and T. Rex and concluding that the picture works best as a record of the Bolanmania phenomenon rather than as a conventional motion picture.
Publication: Record Mirror
Publication Date: December 16, 1972
Country: United Kingdom
Event Date: December 1972 – UK release of Born To Boogie
Written by Val Mabbs, this review assesses Born To Boogie, the Apple Films production directed by Ringo Starr and starring Marc Bolan and T. Rex. The article argues that the film is less a traditional movie and more a filmed T. Rex concert, capturing the excitement and energy generated by Bolan's performances.
Mabbs notes that much of the picture centres on concert footage, particularly performances filmed at Wembley, featuring familiar T. Rex favourites including Telegram Sam, Jeepster, Hot Love, and Get It On. The review describes Bolan's stage presence, audience reaction and the atmosphere surrounding the performances as the film's greatest strengths.
The article discusses Ringo Starr's role as director, praising the effort to add humour and unusual visual touches throughout the production. While some staged sequences are highlighted, the reviewer ultimately suggests that the strongest moments occur when the camera simply follows Bolan and T. Rex in concert.
In addition to the review, the page also contains coverage of the NME 1972 Chart Points Survey, which shows T. Rex placed second overall behind Slade in the publication's ranking of the year's leading chart acts. The accompanying feature, headlined “Beat Off Rex Challenge”, reflects the fierce competition between the two groups throughout 1972.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
Published during the final weeks of 1972, this page documents both the arrival of Born To Boogie and the continuing commercial dominance of T. Rex. The film captured Marc Bolan at the height of Bolanmania and provided one of the earliest cinematic records of the phenomenon.
The inclusion of the chart survey is equally significant, underlining T. Rex's position as one of Britain's biggest acts. Although Slade topped the annual survey, Bolan and T. Rex remained among the most successful and visible artists in British popular music.
The page also features a substantial Born To Boogie promotional image using the now‑famous artwork showing Marc Bolan seated on a tiger.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: Review of Born To Boogie
Era: 1972 – Peak Bolanmania period
Tone: Analytical, appreciative and observational
Photography: Large performance photograph of Marc Bolan on stage, Born To Boogie promotional artwork featuring Bolan on a tiger, and live photographs accompanying the chart survey
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
Record Mirror review of Born To Boogie
Val Mabbs' assessment of Ringo Starr's direction
Discussion of T. Rex concert footage featured in the film
References to Telegram Sam, Jeepster, Hot Love and Get It On
NME 1972 Chart Points Survey results
T. Rex placed second in the annual chart survey
Born To Boogie promotional artwork and advertising imagery
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