Melody (1971 film)
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| Melody | |
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| Directed by | Waris Hussein |
| Produced by | Ronald S. Kass David Puttnam |
| Written by | Andrew Birkin Alan Parker |
| Starring | Jack Wild Mark Lester Tracy Hyde |
| Music by | The Bee Gees |
| Cinematography | Peter Suschitzky |
| Editing by | John Victor Smith |
| Distributed by | British Lion Films |
| Release date(s) | 1971 |
| Running time | 103 min. |
| Country | UK |
| Language | English |
Melody (aka S.W.A.L.K. or Sealed With A Loving Kiss) is a 1971 British film about "puppy love." Although initially a box office disappointment in both the United States and Britain it has over the years become a cult classic. The film turned out to be an enormous hit in Japan, and in some Latin American countries such as Argentina and Chile[1].
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[edit] Plot
This romantic fantasy was unique in that it told the story through the viewpoint of the children in the story, the adults playing only supporting roles. Daniel Lattimer (Mark Lester) befriends the troublesome Ornshaw (Jack Wild). One day, Daniel falls in love with Melody Perkins (Tracy Hyde) and announce to their parents that they want to get married. Not sometime in the future, but now. However, the adults, parents and teachers alike try to dissuade them. Ornshaw also doesn´t like this because he feels that Melody is taking away his friend. But later on, Ornshaw and their classmates are determined to go ahead with their plans for the young couple. They reunite in a far place to marry the couple but their parents follow them and try to stop it. The children go wild and make a car explode. While Melody and Daniel ran away in a hand-car down the railway line with Ornshaw´s help.
[edit] Production
Film production began in the Spring of 1970 shooting on location in Hammersmith, and Lambeth in the greater London area. Post-production was completed at the Twickenham Studios.[2] The memorable graveyard scenes of the film were shot on location at Brompton Cemetery and Nunhead Cemetery; opened in 1840 Nunhead is one of the oldest Victorian era cemeteries in London. Nunhead is the final resting place for some famous residents including: Frederick Augustus Abel, George John Bennett, and Alfred Vance.[3] Mark Lester (Daniel Latimer) and Jack Wild (Ornshaw) had previously appeared together in the Academy Award winning (Best Picture-1968) musical version of Oliver!. They were joined by the child model Tracy Hyde in the title role. Other cast members included Kate Williams (Love thy Neighbour) as Melody's mother, Roy Kinnear as her father, Sheila Steafel as Daniel's mother, with Ken Jones (Cuckoo Waltz and Porridge), and James Cossins. This comedy featured a pre-disco musical soundtrack by the Bee Gees ("In the Morning", "Melody Fair", "Give Your Best", and the hit single "To Love Somebody", "First of May") and the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young hit ("Teach Your Children").[4] Interestingly, this was the first screenplay by now-famous film director, Alan Parker. Alan Parker actually did some second-unit direction for the film, shooting the montage sequences of the school children at recess and at the track meet.[2] Because of its enormous success in Japan, the movie has been mastered in Region 2 format on DVD by Kadokawa Herald Pictures in Japan. This was the feature film debut of then child model and commercial actress Tracy Hyde at the age of 11. Writer–Director Andrew Birkin recommended Tracy Hyde for the title role of (Melody Perkins) to director Waris Hussein, after screening and auditioning over 100 girls.[2] Actor Jack Wild, who played Ornshaw was actually 17 at the time of the production.[5]
[edit] Cast
- Tracy Hyde as Melody Perkins
- Mark Lester as Daniel Latimer
- Jack Wild as Ornshaw
- Sheila Steafel as Mrs. Latimer
- Keith Barron as Mr. Latimer
- Roy Kinnear as Mr. Perkins
- Hilda Barry as Grandma Perkins
- Peter Walton as Fensham
- Kay Skinner as Peggy
- William Vanderpuye as O'Leary
- Camille Davies as Muriel
- Craig Marriott as Dadds
- Billy Franks as Burgess
- Tim Wylton as Mr. Fellows
- June Jago as Miss Fairfax
- Neil Hallett
- Ken Jones as Mr. Dicks
- Lesley Roach as Rhoda
- Colin Barrie as Chambers
- June C. Ellis as Miss Dimkins
- James Cossins as Headmaster
- Kate Williams as Mrs. Perkins
- Dawn Hope as Maureen
- John Gorman as Boys' Brigade Captain
- Robin Hunter as George
- Stephen Mallett
- Ashley Knight as Stacey
- Tracy Reed as Man and Woman in Hospital, TV Film
- Leonard Brockwell
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Commentaries, specially #410; Melody: Cine o educación emocional, by Daniela, 2005
- ^ a b c Melody DVD; production notes
- ^ Wikipedia listing; Nunhead Cemetery
- ^ Melody movie soundtrack; Universal International
- ^ Internet Movie Database "Melody"
