Melody (1971 film)
Encyclopedia
Melody is a 1971 British film directed by Waris Hussein
about "puppy love
". It was released as S.W.A.L.K. in the United Kingdom (S.W.A.L.K. is a message traditionally written on the envelopes of love letters by British schoolchildren, standing for Sealed With A Loving Kiss). The film starred Jack Wild
, Mark Lester
and Tracy Hyde
. The film was a box office disappointment in both the United States and Britain. The film turned out to be an enormous hit in Japan
, and in some Latin American countries such as Argentina
and Chile
.
) befriends the troublesome Ornshaw (Jack Wild
). One day, Daniel falls in love with Melody Perkins (Tracy Hyde
) and they 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 other classmates help the young couple. They reunite in a far place to marry the couple but the teachers follow them and try to stop it. The children go wild and make a car explode. Melody and Daniel run away in a handcar
down the railway line with Ornshaw's help.
, and Lambeth
in the greater London
area. Post-production was completed at the Twickenham Studios
. The graveyard scenes of the film were shot on location at Brompton Cemetery
and Nunhead Cemetery
.
Mark Lester
(Daniel Latimer) and Jack Wild
(Ornshaw) had previously appeared together in the 1968 musical film adaptation of Oliver!
. They were joined by the child model Tracy Hyde
in the title role. Other cast members included Kate Williams
as Melody's mother, Roy Kinnear
as her father, Sheila Steafel
as Daniel's mother, with Ken Jones
, 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
".
This was the first screenplay by film director Alan Parker
. Parker did some second-unit direction for the film, shooting the montage sequences of the school children at break-time and at the track meet. Because of its enormous success in Japan, the film 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. Actor Jack Wild
, who played Ornshaw was actually 17 at the time of the production.
Waris Hussein
Waris Hussein is a British-Indian television director and film director best known for his many productions for British television....
about "puppy love
Puppy love
Puppy love is an informal term for feelings of love or infatuation felt by young people during childhood and adolescence, so-called for its resemblance to the adoring, worshipful affection that may be felt by a puppy. 'Simple infatuation is often called a "crush" or "puppy love"...
". It was released as S.W.A.L.K. in the United Kingdom (S.W.A.L.K. is a message traditionally written on the envelopes of love letters by British schoolchildren, standing for Sealed With A Loving Kiss). The film starred Jack Wild
Jack Wild
Jack Wild was a British actor who is best remembered for his performances in both stage and screen productions of the Lionel Bart musical Oliver! with Ron Moody, Shani Wallis, and Oliver Reed. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the age of 16 for the role of the...
, Mark Lester
Mark Lester
Mark Lester is an English former child actor known for playing the title role in the 1968 musical film version of Oliver! and starring in a number of other British and European films of the 1960s and 70s and in a number of television series.-Early life and film career:Lester was born in Oxford,...
and Tracy Hyde
Tracy Hyde
Tracy Constance Margaret Hyde, actress and model shot to fame in the 1971 film Melody after being discovered by film producer, David Puttnam...
. The film was a box office disappointment in both the United States and Britain. The film turned out to be an enormous hit in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, and in some Latin American countries such as Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
and Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
.
Plot
This romantic fantasy is told through the viewpoint of the children in the story, the adults playing only supporting roles. Daniel Latimer (Mark LesterMark Lester
Mark Lester is an English former child actor known for playing the title role in the 1968 musical film version of Oliver! and starring in a number of other British and European films of the 1960s and 70s and in a number of television series.-Early life and film career:Lester was born in Oxford,...
) befriends the troublesome Ornshaw (Jack Wild
Jack Wild
Jack Wild was a British actor who is best remembered for his performances in both stage and screen productions of the Lionel Bart musical Oliver! with Ron Moody, Shani Wallis, and Oliver Reed. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the age of 16 for the role of the...
). One day, Daniel falls in love with Melody Perkins (Tracy Hyde
Tracy Hyde
Tracy Constance Margaret Hyde, actress and model shot to fame in the 1971 film Melody after being discovered by film producer, David Puttnam...
) and they 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 other classmates help the young couple. They reunite in a far place to marry the couple but the teachers follow them and try to stop it. The children go wild and make a car explode. Melody and Daniel run away in a handcar
Handcar
A handcar is a railroad car powered by its passengers, or by people pushing the car from behind. It is mostly used as a maintenance of way or mining car, but it was also used for passenger service in some cases...
down the railway line with Ornshaw's help.
Cast
- Tracy HydeTracy HydeTracy Constance Margaret Hyde, actress and model shot to fame in the 1971 film Melody after being discovered by film producer, David Puttnam...
as Melody Perkins - Mark LesterMark LesterMark Lester is an English former child actor known for playing the title role in the 1968 musical film version of Oliver! and starring in a number of other British and European films of the 1960s and 70s and in a number of television series.-Early life and film career:Lester was born in Oxford,...
as Daniel Latimer - Jack WildJack WildJack Wild was a British actor who is best remembered for his performances in both stage and screen productions of the Lionel Bart musical Oliver! with Ron Moody, Shani Wallis, and Oliver Reed. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the age of 16 for the role of the...
as Ornshaw - Sheila SteafelSheila SteafelSheila Steafel is a South African-born actress who has lived all her adult life in the United Kingdom.Steafel, who was born in Johannesburg, appeared in many classic television series, including: The Frost Report, Z-Cars, Sykes, The Kenny Everett Television Show, Minder, The Ghosts of Motley Hall,...
as Mrs. Latimer - Keith BarronKeith BarronKeith Barron is an English actor and television presenter, well-known from numerous roles on British television from the 1960s to the present day.-Career:...
as Mr. Latimer - Roy KinnearRoy KinnearRoy Mitchell Kinnear was an English character actor. He is best remembered for playing Veruca Salt's father, Mr. Salt, in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.-Early life:...
as Mr. Perkins - Hilda Barry as Grandma Perkins
- Peter Walton as Fensham
- Kay Skinner as Peggy
- William VanderpuyeWilliam VanderpuyeWilliam Vanderpuye , also known as Will Vanderpuye and Will Vanders, is an award-winning British actor and renowned voice-over artist. Vanderpuye has had a long career consisting of many leading theatrical roles and outstanding supporting characters in British films and television programmes...
as O'Leary - Camille Davies as Muriel
- Craig Marriott as Dadds
- Billy Franks as Burgess
- Tim WyltonTim WyltonTim Wylton is a British television actor best known for his roles Stanley Dawkins in My Hero and Lol Ferris in As Time Goes By....
as Mr. Fellows - June JagoJune JagoJune Jago was an Australian actress.She made her stage debut in Australia and came to Britain in the 1950s with a touring production of Summer of the Seventeenth Doll...
as Miss Fairfax - Neil Hallett as Television Film - Man in hospital
- Ken JonesKen Jones (actor)Ken Jones is an English actor. Jones was born in Liverpool, England and after working as a signwriter and amateur acting, he trained at RADA and joined Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop...
as Mr. Dicks - Lesley Roach as Rhoda
- Colin Barrie as Chambers
- June C. Ellis as Miss Dimkins
- James CossinsJames CossinsJames Cossins was an English character actor. Born in Beckenham, Kent, he became widely recognised as the abrupt, bewildered Mr. Walt in the Fawlty Towers episode "The Hotel Inspectors"...
as Headmaster - Kate Williams as Mrs. Perkins
- Dawn Hope as Maureen
- John Gorman as Boys' Brigade Captain
- Robin HunterRobin HunterRobin Ian Hunter was an English actor, who was also a skilled and versatile performer and writer in the field of musicals, music hall and comedy.-Life and career:...
as George - Stephen Mallett as Boys' Group
- Ashley Knight as Stacey
- Tracy Reed as Woman in Hospital, TV Film
- Leonard Brockwell
Production
Film production began in the Spring of 1970 shooting on location in HammersmithHammersmith
Hammersmith is an urban centre in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in west London, England, in the United Kingdom, approximately five miles west of Charing Cross on the north bank of the River Thames...
, and Lambeth
Lambeth
Lambeth is a district of south London, England, and part of the London Borough of Lambeth. It is situated southeast of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:...
in the greater London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
area. Post-production was completed at the Twickenham Studios
Twickenham Film Studios
Twickenham Film Studios is a film studio located in St Margarets, London, England used by many motion picture and television companies. It was established in 1913 by Dr. Ralph Jupp on the site of a former ice-rink. At the time of its original construction, it was the largest film studio in the...
. The graveyard scenes of the film were shot on location at Brompton Cemetery
Brompton Cemetery
Brompton Cemetery is located near Earl's Court in South West London, England . It is managed by The Royal Parks and is one of the Magnificent Seven...
and Nunhead Cemetery
Nunhead Cemetery
Nunhead Cemetery is one of the Magnificent Seven cemeteries in London, England. It is perhaps the least famous and celebrated of them.. The cemetery is located in the Nunhead area of southern London and was originally known as All Saints' Cemetery. Nunhead Cemetery was consecrated in 1840 and...
.
Mark Lester
Mark Lester
Mark Lester is an English former child actor known for playing the title role in the 1968 musical film version of Oliver! and starring in a number of other British and European films of the 1960s and 70s and in a number of television series.-Early life and film career:Lester was born in Oxford,...
(Daniel Latimer) and Jack Wild
Jack Wild
Jack Wild was a British actor who is best remembered for his performances in both stage and screen productions of the Lionel Bart musical Oliver! with Ron Moody, Shani Wallis, and Oliver Reed. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the age of 16 for the role of the...
(Ornshaw) had previously appeared together in the 1968 musical film adaptation of Oliver!
Oliver! (film)
Oliver! is a 1968 British musical film directed by Carol Reed. The film is based on the stage musical Oliver!, with book, music and lyrics written by Lionel Bart. The screenplay was written by Vernon Harris....
. They were joined by the child model Tracy Hyde
Tracy Hyde
Tracy Constance Margaret Hyde, actress and model shot to fame in the 1971 film Melody after being discovered by film producer, David Puttnam...
in the title role. Other cast members included Kate Williams
Kate Williams
Kate Williams is an English actress from London who trained at London's East 15 Acting School.She remains best known for two television roles: Joan Booth in the 1970s sitcom Love Thy Neighbour and Audrey Withey in the crime drama Widows...
as Melody's mother, Roy Kinnear
Roy Kinnear
Roy Mitchell Kinnear was an English character actor. He is best remembered for playing Veruca Salt's father, Mr. Salt, in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.-Early life:...
as her father, Sheila Steafel
Sheila Steafel
Sheila Steafel is a South African-born actress who has lived all her adult life in the United Kingdom.Steafel, who was born in Johannesburg, appeared in many classic television series, including: The Frost Report, Z-Cars, Sykes, The Kenny Everett Television Show, Minder, The Ghosts of Motley Hall,...
as Daniel's mother, with Ken Jones
Ken Jones (actor)
Ken Jones is an English actor. Jones was born in Liverpool, England and after working as a signwriter and amateur acting, he trained at RADA and joined Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop...
, and James Cossins
James Cossins
James Cossins was an English character actor. Born in Beckenham, Kent, he became widely recognised as the abrupt, bewildered Mr. Walt in the Fawlty Towers episode "The Hotel Inspectors"...
.
This comedy featured a pre-disco musical soundtrack by the Bee Gees
Bee Gees
The Bee Gees are a musical group that originally comprised three brothers: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio was successful for most of their 40-plus years of recording music, but they had two distinct periods of exceptional success: as a pop act in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and as a...
("In the Morning
In the Morning
-Songs:*"In the Morning", song by Irving Berlin, performed by Al Jolson in American film musical, Mammy *"In the Morning", song from In the Morning, album by Irish folk band, Tír na nÓg*"In the Morning", song from In the Morning, album by English/Australian singing group, the Bee...
", "Melody Fair
Melody Fair
Melody Fair is a song by the Bee Gees. Originally written in 1968, it was included on the 1969 double album Odessa. The song was featured in the 1971 movie Melody, was included in the soundtrack album, and was released in May 1971 as a single in Japan...
", "Give Your Best", and the hit single "To Love Somebody
To Love Somebody (song)
"To Love Somebody" is the second single released by the Bee Gees from their third LP, Bee Gees 1st.The band's manager Robert Stigwood wanted Barry Gibb to write a soul song for Otis Redding. Barry, along with Robin wrote "To Love Somebody," a soulful ballad in the style of Sam & Dave or The Rascals...
", "First of May
First of May (Bee Gees song)
"First of May" is a song recorded by the Bee Gees with lead vocals by Barry Gibb, released as a single from their 1969 double album Odessa. The flip side of a single was "Lamplight" on which Robin Gibb sang the lead. Robert Stigwood, the Bee Gees manager chose "First of May" for the A-side...
") and the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young hit "Teach Your Children
Teach Your Children
"Teach Your Children" is a song by Graham Nash. Although it was written when Nash was a member of The Hollies, it was never recorded by that group, and first appeared on the album Déjà Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young released in 1970. The recording features Jerry Garcia on pedal steel guitar...
".
This was the first screenplay by film director Alan Parker
Alan Parker
Sir Alan William Parker, CBE is an English film director, producer, writer and actor. He has been active in both the British cinema and American cinema and was a founding member of the Directors Guild of Great Britain.-Life and career:...
. Parker did some second-unit direction for the film, shooting the montage sequences of the school children at break-time and at the track meet. Because of its enormous success in Japan, the film has been mastered in Region 2
DVD region code
DVD region codes are a digital-rights management technique designed to allow film distributors to control aspects of a release, including content, release date, and price, according to the region...
format on DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
by Kadokawa Herald Pictures in Japan. This was the feature film debut of then child model and commercial actress Tracy Hyde
Tracy Hyde
Tracy Constance Margaret Hyde, actress and model shot to fame in the 1971 film Melody after being discovered by film producer, David Puttnam...
at the age of 11. Writer–Director Andrew Birkin recommended Tracy Hyde for the title role of Melody Perkins to director Waris Hussein
Waris Hussein
Waris Hussein is a British-Indian television director and film director best known for his many productions for British television....
, after screening and auditioning over 100 girls. Actor Jack Wild
Jack Wild
Jack Wild was a British actor who is best remembered for his performances in both stage and screen productions of the Lionel Bart musical Oliver! with Ron Moody, Shani Wallis, and Oliver Reed. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the age of 16 for the role of the...
, who played Ornshaw was actually 17 at the time of the production.