Sidewalks of London
| Sidewalks of London | |
|---|---|
Poster
|
|
| Directed by | Tim Whelan |
| Produced by |
Erich Pommer Charles Laughton (uncredited) |
| Written by |
Bartlett Cormack Clemence Dane Charles Laughton Erich Pommer Tim Whelan |
| Starring |
Charles Laughton Vivien Leigh Rex Harrison |
| Music by | Arthur Johnston |
| Cinematography | Jules Kruger |
| Edited by |
Robert Hamer Hugh Stewart |
|
Production
company |
Mayflower Pictures
|
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures (US) |
|
Release date
|
18 October 1938 (UK) 15 February 1940 (US) |
|
Running time
|
85 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Sidewalks of London, also known as St. Martin's Lane, London After Dark, and Partners of the Night, is a 1938 British, black-and-white, comedy drama starring Charles Laughton as a busker or street entertainer who teams up with a talented pickpocket, played by Vivien Leigh. The film co-stars Rex Harrison and Tyrone Guthrie in a rare acting appearance. It also features Ronald Shiner as the barman (uncredited). It was produced by Mayflower Pictures Corporation.
Charles Staggers (Charles Laughton) is a London street performer, a "busker," with his partners, Arthur Smith (Gus McNaughton) and Gentry (Tyrone Guthrie).
He protects Liberty (Libby), Vivien Leigh, a runaway/pickpocket/dancer/busker, when she steals a gold cigarette case from successful song writer Harley Prentiss (Rex Harrison). He then takes her into their troupe, making their trio into a quartet.
Libby attracts the attention of Prentiss and his wealthy friends, who can give her a life and career away from the streets.
When she leaves, cruelly rejecting Charles's marriage proposal, he doesn’t want to go on with the act anymore, and becomes an alcoholic.
Libby’s career is a big success; and, she is offered a Hollywood contract. She asks Prentiss to marry her; but, he declines, saying he doesn’t want to be thrown away, like Charles, as a mere stepping stone for her career.
...
Wikipedia