A Cry from the Streets
A Cry from the Streets is a 1958 British drama film directed by Lewis Gilbert. It was entered into the 1st Moscow International Film Festival, and Vernon Harris's screenplay received a BAFTA nomination.[1][2]
| A Cry from the Streets | |
|---|---|
 DVD Cover | |
| Directed by | Lewis Gilbert |
| Produced by | Ian Dalrymple |
| Written by | Vernon Harris Novel: The Friend in Need by Elizabeth Coxhead |
| Starring | Max Bygraves Barbara Murray |
| Music by | Larry Adler |
| Cinematography | Harry Gillam |
| Edited by | Peter Hunt |
| Distributed by | Eros Films (UK) Tudor Pictures (USA) |
Release date |
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Running time | 99 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot
When a man is hanged for murdering his wife, their three small children go into social care. Bill (Max Bygraves) is an electrician with the local care home, and is introduced to the children and their social worker, Ann (Barbara Murray). Growing ever fonder of the kids, he and Ann take them out on trips and picnics, to try and bring some happiness back into their lives. However, events spiral out of control when a child gets hold of a loaded gun.
Cast
- Max Bygraves as Bill Lowther
- Barbara Murray as Ann Fairlie
- Colin Petersen as Georgie
- Dana Wilson as Barbie
- Kathleen Harrison as Mrs. Farrer
- Sean Barrett as Don Farrer
- Mona Washbourne as Mrs. Daniels
- Eleanor Summerfield as Gloria
- Toke Townley as Mr. Daniels
- Avice Landone as Rachel Seymour
- Fred Griffiths as Mr. Hodges
- John Moulder Brown as Jacky (uncredited)
Reception
Box Office
Kinematograph Weekly listed it as being "in the money" at the British box office in 1958.[3] It was one of the twelve most popular films of the year.[4]
Critical
The New York Times wrote "this inquiry into the lives of some of the orphaned and homeless youngsters in a municipal children's shelter is realistic, bittersweet drama played with compassion and insight. Although it sometimes waxes melodramatic, it gently tugs at the heartstrings and, now and again, tickles the funnybone only as guileless kids can."[5]
References
- "1st Moscow International Film Festival (1959)". MIFF. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
- "Film in 1959 | BAFTA Awards". awards.bafta.org.
- Billings, Josh (18 December 1958). "Others in the Money". Kinematograph Weekly. p. 7.
- "Britain's Money Pacers 1958". Variety. 15 April 1959. p. 60.
- Weiler, A. H. (24 February 1959). "Screen: Children in London's Slums; ' Cry From the Streets' Opens at the Guild" – via NYTimes.com.
External links
- A Cry from the Streets at IMDb
- A Cry from the Streets at AllMovie
- A Cry from the Streets at the TCM Movie Database
- A Cry from the Streets review at The New York Times