The Yellow Balloon

What a nice neat little slice of post-war London life this film is. Being a great fan of British films from the 1950's I was delighted to discover this near-forgotten gem on DVD and it will now take pride of place in my collection. I have always loved and admired Kenneth More and as "The Yellow Balloon" came just prior to his burst to stardom in "Genevieve" we find him here in a relatively small but very significant role as the boy's loving father. I just relish every moment he is on screen and long for more of him.

Andrew Ray is on screen for the entire film and he is moving and totally convincing in role that may have scared a less competent child actor ; he is pivotal to the entire plot development. The long list of familiar players in brief but impressive appearances keep the action moving at a nice pace and at less than 90 minutes duration you really are left wanting more and not less as is the case with so many films. Noteworthy is the intense sense of atmosphere and I love the communal cold-water tap and sink in the stairway of the family's apartment block. I heartily recommend this very British film ; I know I'll be re-watching on a regular basis along with my very extensive Kenneth More collection.

An interesting plot and very well acted but Frankie's accent was a bit too posh for the character. I had the pleasure of serving Veronica Hurst, who played the Sunday School teacher, in a shop in South Wimbledon, London in 1973 and she remains the most charming Lady that I have ever met.

THE YELLOW BALLOON can be said to be a period piece unto itself. It is an art film that was made in the early 50's. A time when cinema was dead in the water. Especially in Britain. Television was attempting to upstage the big screen until THE ROBE debuted(also in 1953). THE YELLOW BALLOON takes place in post-WW2 London which makes it even more referential in its sociological tone. It's Hitchcockian plot concerns a capricious boy who gets misconstrued with a tragic event perpetrated by the incidental drudges of his war-torn society. The most fascinating aspect of the film is that the plot is a byproduct of the film itself. In many ways it resembles Kurosawa's HIGH AND LOW. Anyone familiar with that film or the Ed McBain story will appreciate this. THE YELLOW BALLOON is also notable as an early film by J. Lee Thompson(GUNS OF NAVARRONE)and cameraman Gilbert Taylor(DR. STRANGELOVE, STAR WARS) You might also recognize William Sylvester who played Dr. Heywood Floyd in 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY. THE YELLOW BALLOON is a lost film,which also means that it is hard to find. If you ever do find it,consider yourself a genuine afficianado.

The photography and editing in this film are first class,particularly in the climax.All very expressionistic.Actually very reminiscent of early Hitchcock.Also seeing London the way it was in 1952 ,with so many bomb sites is very nostalgic.However the story fails to grip due to its total implausibility and the use of too many clichés and coincidences.Whilst Sylvester makes a convincing villain his use of the boy in the robbery is rather beyond belief.Kenneth More as the puzzled father is just on the cusp of stardom.The next year he would appear in Genevive and the following year in the film which made his name,Reach For The Stars.Andrew Ray just seems a bit too posh to have lived in that environment and would surely have been rather more streetwise.

Very fine, taught thriller set in a bombed out East End. Andrew Ray plays the respectable young lad who comes under the spell of a baddie (William Sylvester) and through whose eyes, unfortunately for me, the film is largely seen through. The kid does well enough but as a consequence, the film is on the edge of sentimentality the whole time. That it does avoid lapsing into paper handkerchief mode is due to the sharp direction and atmospheric cinematography, dark black shadows and all. To be fair this is also helped by the most convincing performance from the young lad who at no time goes for the easy options. Sparkling performance from Hy Hazel towards the end.