The Sidewalks of London (1938)
St. Martin's Lane (original title)Reference View | Change View
- Approved
- 1h 25min
- Comedy
- 15 Feb 1940 (USA)
- Movie
Pickpocket Libby gets support from street performer Charles, and her dancing leads to her invitation to theater patron Harley's party which in turn launches Libby's stage career while Charles keeps on struggling in the streets.
Director:
Writers:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Charles Laughton | ... |
Charles Staggers
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| Vivien Leigh | ... |
Liberty
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| Rex Harrison | ... |
Harley Prentiss
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| Larry Adler | ... |
Constantine Dan
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| Tyrone Guthrie | ... |
Gentry
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| Maire O'Neill | ... |
Mrs. Such
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| Gus McNaughton | ... |
Arthur Smith
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Polly Ward | ... |
Frankie
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| Basil Gill | ... |
Magistrate
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| Helen Haye | ... |
Selina
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| David Burns | ... |
Hackett
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| Phyllis Stanley | ... |
Della
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| Edward Lexy | ... |
Mr. Such
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| Clare Greet | ... |
Old Maud
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Alf Goddard | ... |
Doggie
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| Cyril Smith | ... |
Black Face
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Romilly Lunge | ... |
Jan Duchesi
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| Ronald Ward | ... |
Jack Temperley
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Carroll Gibbons and His Orchestra | ... |
Carroll Gibbons and His Orchestra
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The Luna Boys | ... |
The Luna Boys
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Clifford Buckton | ... |
Man Outside Theatre (uncredited)
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Bartlett Cormack | ... |
Strang (uncredited)
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Carroll Gibbons | ... |
Carroll Gibbons (uncredited)
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| Hal Gordon | ... |
Barman (uncredited)
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| Edie Martin | ... |
Libby's Dresser (uncredited)
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| Ronald Shiner | ... |
Barman (uncredited)
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John Singer | ... |
Autograph Hunter (uncredited)
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| Jerry Verno | ... |
Drunk (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Tim Whelan | ||
Written by
| Clemence Dane | ... | (written by) |
| Charles Laughton | ... | (writer) (uncredited) |
| Bartlett Cormack | ... | (writer) (uncredited) |
| Erich Pommer | ... | (writer) (uncredited) |
| Tim Whelan | ... | (writer) (uncredited) |
Produced by
| Charles Laughton | ... | producer (uncredited) |
| Erich Pommer | ... | producer |
Music by
| Arthur Johnston | ||
Cinematography by
| Jules Kruger | ... | (photography) |
Editing by
| Robert Hamer | ||
| Hugh Stewart | ||
Editorial Department
| Geoffrey Foot | ... | assistant editor (uncredited) |
Production Design by
| Thomas N. Morahan | ... | (as Tom Morahan) |
Art Direction by
| Thomas N. Morahan | ||
Costume Design by
| John Armstrong | ||
Production Management
| Roland Gillett | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Philip Brandon | ... | assistant director |
Sound Department
| Jack Rogerson | ... | sound recordist |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Gus Drisse | ... | camera operator |
Music Department
| Frederic Lewis | ... | music assistant (as Fred Lewis) |
| Muir Mathieson | ... | musical director |
| Eddie Pola | ... | lyrics |
| Jack Beaver | ... | composer: additional music (uncredited) |
| Frederic Lewis | ... | composer: additional music (uncredited) |
| Lionel Salter | ... | composer: additional music (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Philip Buchel | ... | choreographer |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Associated British Film Distributors (A.B.F.D.) (1938) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Efftee Film Productions (1938) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Paramount Pictures (1940) (United States) (theatrical) (as A Paramount Release)
- Renown Pictures Corporation (1949) (United Kingdom) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Verity Films (1949) (United States) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Atlas Films S.A. (1939) (Belgium) (theatrical)
- Kino Video (2003) (United States) (DVD)
- Kino Video (video)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Western Electric (mirrophonic sound recording)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
On the sidewalks of the London theater district, the buskers (street performers) earn enough coins for a cheap room. Charles (Charles Laughton), who recites dramatic monologues, sees that a young pickpocket, Libby (Vivien Leigh), also has a talent for dancing and adds her to his act. Harley (Sir Rex Harrison), the theater patron who didn't know Libby took his gold cigarette case, is impressed by her dancing and invites her to bring Charles and the other buskers in his group to an after-the-play party. Libby comes alone. A theatrical career is launched.
Written by Dale O'Connor |
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| Taglines | A Heart-Stirring Drama of Peace-Time London! (original poster) See more » |
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| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | Made in London just before England's entrance into World War II, this film was co-produced by a refugee from Adolf Hitler, the great German producer of Metropolis (1927) and many other classic UFA movies, Erich Pommer. It was directed by an American from Hollywood, Tim Whelan, and features another American, the great harmonica virtuoso, Larry Adler, who was to return to live in exile in England after the war after he was blacklisted in the U.S. Adler went on to compose and perform the score for the classic English comedy Genevieve (1953). The role of the tall busker Gentry was played by Tyrone Guthrie who would be knighted and would one day become Artistic Director of Canada's Stratford Festival and founder of the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. This movie was edited by Robert Hamer, who would go on to direct the Ealing Studio comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) and others. See more » |
| Goofs | In the scene where Libby wrecks Charlie's apartment and holds the sewing machine up to throw it, the figure who enters through the door with his back to the camera is clearly a body double for Charles Laughton. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind (1988). See more » |
| Soundtracks | London Love Song See more » |
| Crazy Credits | Opening credits start as names on a City of Westminster street sign. See more » |
| Quotes |
Liberty 'Libby':
Just a minute! Look here, mister, who does this lovely world belong to, eh? To the people who live on it, you say? Well, I'm one of them. And I've got just the same taste as all the rest. You should be surprised. I get hungry. I get thirsty. I get cold. I enjoy smoke and a permanent wave, and whatever I can get in the way of extras. And why shouldn't I have them? See more » |