The Small World Of Sammy Lee, 1963.
Directed by Ken Hughes.
Starring Anthony Newley, Julia Foster and Robert Stephens.
SYNOPSIS:
The compère of a seedy strip club struggles to keep one step ahead of the bookies to whom he owes money.
Before video came along, the only way to see a film was at the cinema or on TV. As such as soon as the dawn of home release (with VHS evolving into DVD’s, and now Blu-ray) came, there was an entire history of film to catch up on in terms of releasing. The more iconic films would take precedent, or the box office success. Or some older films could be caught in a mire of rights issues due to folded companies or sold rights. British cinema boomed in the 60’s, yet finding available releases of some lost nuggets of gold can be tough and good releases even more difficult. However, Blu-Ray has seen some rather spiffing re-releases of some old gems, and some companies seem focused on giving some overlooked classics a new lease of life.
The Small World Of Sammy Lee is from writer and director Ken Hughes (and based off a TV play about the same character). Hughes is more well known for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, or The Trials of Oscar Wilde. This film is by no means entirely obscure. It’s a well-regarded piece, but lacks the iconic status of certain others of the area (such as Michael Caine’s output for one example). This comical tale of a strip club compère on the run from bookies he owes money to is loaded with charm and character. Shot largely in and around Soho it’s a time portal to seedier parts of the capital during that era (though rather tame by general standards today).
Hughes’s script is witty and his direction energetic. It’s a well shot film which, particularly with this rather lavish new transfer from Studio Canal, looks beautiful. The cinematography from the late, great Wolfgang Suschitzky is, much like his work in Get Carter, slick, stylish but natural, raw and gritty.
The film blends comedy with drama and tension expertly, and in a manner that means it will age well. It’s not all thumbing braces and jaunting merrily down the street, shouting “allo guvnor.” As the pressure mounts on Sammy, we feel it too. It’s a nice piece of characterisation. Hughes crafted the raw materials and Anthony Newley rounds it all off into a nuanced, likeable and sympathetic protagonist. His performance is excellent and it’s a shame the film has been somewhat forgotten over time. Newley will be most known as the Artful Dodger in David Lean’s version of Oliver Twist, so he’s experienced some level of iconic status, even if his performance as Sammy has struggled to stay widely known. Though the recent BFI re-release, and this new DVD/Blu release will rectify that.
Featuring a nice score and soundtrack, as well as a few other recognisable faces from British TV and cinema (including Steptoes Wilfrid Brambell), this is well worth checking out by fans of British Cinema, particularly those who may be discovering it for the first time. It may not quite have the lasting power of an Alfie or Get Carter but it’s certainly a worthwhile and very well made piece of British film that offers an interesting depiction of 60’s London back streets.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★★★★ / Movie: ★★★★
Tom Jolliffe
