It Happened in Leicester Square
| It Happened in Leicester Square | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Geoffrey J. Benstead |
| Written by | Geoffrey J. Benstead |
| Produced by | Norman Sharp |
| Starring | Harry Tate Jr. Slim Allen Arthur Stott |
| Distributed by | Geoffrey J. Benstead Productions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 53 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
It Happened in Leicester Square (also known as Hello London) is a 1949 British comedy film, written and directed by Geoffrey Benstead and starring Harry Tate Jr and Slim Allen as two men from Yorkshire who visit a billiard hall and music hall in London.[1] [2]
The film features appearances from a number of snooker and English billiards players.[2]
Cast
- Harry Tate Jr
- Slim Allen
- Arthur Stott
- Maisie Weldon
- Gloria Dale
- Ming Chow
- Rosemary Newton
- Charles Rayford
- Joe Davis
- Sidney Smith
- Thelma Carpenter
- Joyce Gardner
- Con Stanbury
- Herbert Holt
- Jackie Rea (as Jack Rea)
- George Gilbert and His London Orchestra
Releases
The original version was 53 minutes long and was given a "U" Certificate, indicating that it was suitable for children, on 22 March 1949.[3] The film was a commercial failure, and a re-edited version, five minutes shorter, was released in 1951 as Hello London.[4]
Reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The main point of interest is a visit to Leicester Square Hall to watch some specialised shots of snooker and billiards by several champions, including Joe Davis, Sidney Smith, Thelma Carpenter and Joyce Gardner – an entertaining visit for those interested in the sport. There is also a not-so-entertaining visit to a music-hall, where there are several variety turns. The humour is funny in few parts, and the script drags occasionally. Apart from sometimes jerky photography there are good shots of London, chiefly of Piccadilly and Leicester Square, and the film is painstakingly produced."[5]
David Quinlan described the film as a "Mercifully brief programme-filler."[6]
It was dismissed as "a dull procession of variety acts" by Steve Chibnall and Brian McFarlane in their book The British 'B' Film.[4]
References
- ^ "It Happened in Leicester Square". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ a b "It Happened in Leicester Square (1949)". bfi.org.uk. British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 11 December 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- ^ "It Happened in Leicester Square (1949)". bbfc.co.uk. British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- ^ a b Steve Chibnall; Brian McFarlane (7 October 2017). The British 'B' Film. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 35. ISBN 978-1-84457-574-9. Archived from the original on 11 December 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- ^ "It Happened in Leicester Square". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 16 (181): 60. 1 January 1949. ProQuest 1305821826.
- ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British sound films : the studio years 1928-1959. London: B. T. Batsford. p. 221.