and his State Orchestra
From 1930 to 1937 Alfred van Dam and his orchestra were at the Trocadero Cinema, Elephant and Castle, and he used the appropriate signature tune 'Knocked 'em in the Old Kent Road'. In December 1937 he and his orchestra moved to the Kilburn State Cinema on its opening, and changed his signature tune to 'The State March', of which he is part-composer.
The Kilburn State is one of the largest cinemas in the country. Many famous stars took part in the opening, including Gracie Fields, George Formby, and Carroll Levis.