John and Julie (1955)

Waste of time

One of my all time favorites.

A Masterpiece!

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

This film is a weakly disguised excuse to recycle a few yards of footage of the most recent coronation to be held in Britain (1953). The supporting story is paper-thin, the cast (which includes Peter Sellers) struggles with a weak script, and the direction is leaden. The best reason for watching it is to be reminded of what the late 60's did for British society, in getting rid of all that deference and the pretence that everything and everyone in Britain was wonderful - even Americans! From tart to field-marshal, everyone has a heart of gold. Sid James' character is an attempt to introduce an element of dissension that fails to convince.

John and Julie is written directed by William Fairchild. It stars Colin Gibson, Lesley Dudley, Noelle Middleton, Moira Lister, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Sid James and Megs Jenkins. Out of Beaconsfield Studios, film is shot in Eastman Color with music by Philip Green (trumpet solo's Eddie Calvert) and cinematography by Arthur Grant.John (Gibson) and Julie (Dudley), two young children in 1953, set off on their own from Dorset to see The Queen's Coronation in London....Utterly charming picture full of youthful bluster and eccentric adults. Film is very much of its time, it harks back to a time when kids were safe on the streets, people were only too glad to help and you could drink water from the local stream! In essence it's a road movie, one that is powered by two youngsters who by hook or by crook, want to see the Queen get crowned. Story shows how these two young kiddies use initiative and naivety to get to their destination, how they affect everyone who comes into contact with them, and finally how such an historical event brought about a joy and community spirit that is sadly all too lacking in today's modern British society. All of which is deftly flecked by Eddie Calvert's beautiful trumpet.God bless her!Is it contrived? And do you have to be a fan of the British Royals to get the most out of it? Not at all. Yes you need a modicum of disbelief suspension to accept that the kids could make it all that way without getting nabbed by the police, the latter of which hardly come off as sharp coppers here, but Fairchild is all about youthful determination and how young cherubs can often beguile us adults. Fairchild also knits it all together with ease, even managing to unobtrusively insert actual footage of the Coronation parade into the joyous climax. The child actors are thankfully, very likable, especially Dudley who is simply adorable, and the cast is a roll call of British film treasures. Stand outs are Sid James at his grumpy best as John's father, Hyde-White is classy and correct, Jenkins as usual delivers a memorable female touch and Lister scores high as a tart with a heart. Peter Sellers fans should note he has only a small role, that of a good old British Bobby.Of its time for sure, but that is a good thing here. A true spirit lifting film and a beacon of unadulterated joy for the child in all of us. 8/10

I first saw John and Julie at the Double Bay Hoyts Theatre in the Sydney Harbour suburb in 1957 but not again in color till about ten years ago when I obtained the Video. It was a huge thrill to have a color copy after so long and be able to revisit the heartwarming film so many times since. The cast of excellent British actors and actresses brought humor and sensitivity to the characters and Colin Gibson and Lesley Dudley were ideally cast as the children. Good old Australian actor Vincent Ball also had a small part and Moira Lister, Noelle Middleton, Syd James, Megs Jenkins, Constance Cummings, Wilfred Hyde Whyte, Peter Sellers and others all added naturally to the proceedings. Briefly said,if you would like an enjoyable, satisfying and nostalgic look into the Fifties era of simplicity and wholesomeness, invite John and Julie into your life.One of my favorite films even today after fifty years.

In the summer of 1953 the world's attention turned to London, site of the coronation of young Queen Elizabeth. Two English children, transfixed by the spectacle, decide to run away from home and join the throng. Alone, without a plan or a penny, they journey 150 miles by horseback, bicycle, train and car through some of the most beautiful countryside imaginable. The film includes archival footage that conveys the thrilling spectacle of the British Empire united in one of its last great celebrations. Most of the cast turn in capable performances. Peter Sellers shines in a small early role, Moira Lister ably portrays Moira, the prostitute who briefly becomes a surrogate mother, and Sidney James brings life to his role as John's bitter working-class father. The only real sour note? Leslie Dudley, starring as Julie, is a singularly repellent child, continually pouting and crying. A fat, dour, whining brat, Dudley is woefully miscast in a pivotal role that demands sweetness and charm. Watch this film for the pomp and color of a vanished world, and try to imagine how lovely it could have been with young Haley Mills in the role of Julie.