A bit off the subject this one, as the short documentary in question, Norman Cohen's The London Nobody Knows was made 12 years after the hanging of Ruth Ellis. But I include it here as it was one that was brought to my attention when researching films about bygone London for the production of The Thrill of Love.
It's actually a superb little documentary providing the viewer with a glimpse of the capital on the cusp of change, as old Victorian London is gradually swept away to make way for the modern. Haunting images of buildings in decline - such as the Bedford Music Hall in Camden - are contrasted with thriving street markets and high rises. Images of children and hip youngsters are juxtaposed uncomfortably with ageing down and outs, fighting over the meths, their lives beyond hope. And it's overseen by James Mason, his wonderfully dry commentary making the whole enterprise that much more personal.
What is interesting, and this relates back to the Ellis story, is what the documentary doesn't show - that is, the seedier side of London with gentlemen's bars, gambling clubs and the like. These aspects appear to be outside the film's remit, which seems to be to present a slightly gritty but overall nostalgic look at a changing city; perhaps as a supporting cinema feature (remember them? Oh, I do!). It also provides me with a useful visual resource too, as many of the older streets would have remain unchanged since the days when Ellis would have click-clacked down similar ones.
Also Included on the disc was another London-based short - the mini-musical Les Bicyclettes de Belsize, a bright, colourful, cheery (and cheesy!) boy-meets-girl story. It's completely useless to me for this venture, but was fun to watch nonetheless.
Oh and Ps. - it is one month until opening night!
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