Some People *** (1962, Kenneth More, Ray Brooks, Anneke Wills, David Andrews, Angela Douglas, David Hemmings, Harry H Corbett) – Classic Movie Review 7763

Director Clive Donner’s 1962 British drama stars Kenneth More as choirmaster Mr Smith who helps bored Bristol teenage tearaways Johnnie, Bill and Bert (Ray Brooks, David Andrews, David Hemmings) to get back on their feet at the local youth club after a brush with the law, losing their motorbike licences, and sets them off on the path to the Duke of Edinburgh awards.

Hailing from the height of the period of British realism, this combination of musical and drama gives off more of a sense of wishful thinking than the reality it seems to aspire to. But, with its feeble pop tunes (including Johnny Worth and Ron Grainer’s title number, sung by Angela Douglas [dubbed by Valerie Mountain] and The Eagles), it is a bit of nostalgic fun now, ending up more like a poor person’s version of Cliff Richard’s The Young Ones.

The film was in part designed to promote the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, founded by Prince Philip.

Other songs are: Johnny’s Tune (by Ron Grainer), Yes You Did (by Johnny Worth and Ron Grainer), Too Late (by Johnny Worth and Ron Grainer) and Bristol Express (by Ron Grainer).

It was made when More’s star was falling; he went from Britain’s box-office number one in 1960 to the cinema wilderness by 1963. More later married one of the cast’s youngsters, Angela Douglas.   More was 47 and married when they met, and Angela was just 20. They fell in love, but society and the press criticised their relationship and were ostracised by many. They were free to marry in 1968 when divorce laws finally changed. They also made The Comedy Man (1964) together.

Also in the cast are Ray Brooks, Anneke Wills [Annika Wills], David Andrews, Angela Douglas, David Hemmings, Harry H Corbett, Timothy Nightingale, Frankie Dymon Jr, Fanny Carby, Michael Gwynn, Richard Davies, Fred Ferris, Dean Webb and Cyril Luckham.

Some People is directed by Clive Donner, 93 minutes, is made by Vic Films, is released by Anglo-Amalgamated, is written by John Eldridge, is shot in Eastmancolor by John Wilcox, is produced by James Archibald and is scored by Ron Grainer.

RIP Clive Donner (1926 – 2010).

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7763

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