Described by Wes Anderson as one of his favourite films, Melody is a 1971 British Cult ‘coming of age movie that every resident of Kennington should make a point of viewing.
A forgotten, inspiring gem
Wes Anderson
Melody was Sir Alan Parker’ first script, and it was Lord David Puttnam first production. the film was directed by Waris Hussein.
It starred Mark Lester and Jack Wild, best known for their roles as Oliver Twist and the Artful Dodger respectively in the 1968 musical Oliver!
And the soundtrack was provided by the Bee Gees.
Melody is a romance about two kids who are very deeply in love, even though they’re just too young, well certainly as far as everyone else is concerned; their parents, teachers and every other adult.
Many people will enjoy the story as a reflection of their childhood memories and relish the nostalgia of the period, but for us, we have the added pleasure of spotting familiar sites of our neighbourhood.
The film begins with a sweeping opening shot of Kennington looking over Chester Way and Denny Crescent towards a yet to be completed Ethelred Estate. This is just the first of the many parts of the movie that uses Kennington and Vauxhall as a backdrop for the story (see the slide show below)
Some Scenes featuring Kennington
The Following music video shows a number of clips from the film including the scene where Melody releases her goldfish into the Horse trough on Lambeth Road, together with great shots of The Ship Pub & Kennington Road
Melody’s father is played by Roy Kinnear in the film, who happens to be the father in real life of Rory Kinnear is local Kennington resident
Local School Children used as Extras
Many children from Archbishop Temple’s School formally at 202 Lambeth Road, Lambeth, London, SE1 7LQ. Appeared as extras in the film.
The pupils were paid £1 a day. None of the staff appeared in the film. The only staff connections were Linda Carr (Head of Drama) whose boyfriend was one of the production staff, hence the connection into the school. Also Head of History, Peter Pryce who was a sort of official chaperone.
Archbishop Temples School was originally going to be used as the location and filming should have taken place over the Easter holidays. The film production company were unable to agree to the 10-day window which the School Governors wanted so Colet Court school at 153 Hammersmith Road was used instead.
Big In Japan
Although the film was a box office disappointment in both the United States and Britain, it turned out to be an enormous hit in Japan as well as in some Latin American countries such as Argentina and Chile.
This documentary on Vimeo is an interview with Alan Parker and David Puttnam where they talk about the movie
Saucy Turtles Make Terrible Bathmats Charlie from Dirty Hands on Vimeo.
The Movie Trailer for the DVD release
Wes Anderson called Melody ” A forgotten, inspiring gem ” and it was to inspired him to make Moonrise Kingdom, both films are well worth watching if you get the chance.
The Making of Melody
Radio 4 Film Programme 11/06/2010
Francine Stock talks to Sir Alan Parker and Lord David Puttnam about their first film together and about their subsequent partnership. Listen Here
Did you Know?
Mark Lester was a close friend of Michael Jackson, so much so that he agreed to become a Sperm Donor for him and maybe the biological father of Michael Jackson’s two children. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwKwD9oNj-E
‘Regardless of who the so-called biological father is or whatever, Michael raised those children as his own……It was something that was given and discarded and Michael brought those kids up.’
Mark Lester January 2019
Holy Road Safety – It’s Batman in Denny Street(Opens in a new browser tab)
