All Neat in Black Stockings

This film is certainly a bit of an oddity - & very much of its time (1969). The post-promiscuous society plot, concerning the amorous adventures of window cleaner Ginger, seems at first like a forerunner to the later 'Confessions' films - but somehow never really cuts it or even aspires to even that level of low-brow adventurism. The first half is muddled, silly & incredibly sexist, & leaves the viewer not particularly liking Ginger & his uncaring attitude towards women; the second half becomes more like a kitchen-sink drama, but lacks the depth & believability of something like 'Alfie'.

Susan George (fresh from her appearance as Joyce in 'Up the Junction') is wonderful as eye candy, & saves the film, but she did seem to have a habit at this time of sometimes appearing in movies that were often fairly thin & unsatisfying, & perhaps beneath her talents.

The plot is populated with eccentric characters & situations, & certainly has a loose, almost made-up-as-it-goes-along swinging-sixties feel. In its favour, there are plenty of colourful locations around London, & it gives a good snapshot of how the capital looked at the time, & the fashions - even if the plot is rather far-fetched. Scenes in humdrum cafes & bars are well staged & add some grittiness.

All in all though, not a classic sadly (although I hear it was fairly-well received by contemporary audiences at the time). Great for fans of Susan George & sixties London, but don't expect a full-on sex comedy (it has a 12 certificate) or anything even much in the way of black stockings! The film's biggest downfall for me is the chauvinistic attitudes on display, which made me feel rather uncomfortable - but thankfully nowadays are an unfortunate anachronism.

Even as I write this i'm not really sure how much I did or didn't enjoy this. Fine title but misleading, the titular garments appear but to no significant extent. There are pluses and minuses in this. It moved along nicely and was generally well directed, particularly the dance, pub and party scenes, which seem to trip up the best of directors. The script is a mess and I suppose here lies the problem. Is this a 'Confessions' type romp? Certainly not. A serious and well argued critique of the times. No, again and I guess it is the fact that it probably falls between these two that is the biggest problem. Getting to have sex is treated as a joke and then marriage and the question of abortion are treated seriously. Its a mixed bag but there are delights, many advertising street hoardings and London back streets, infuriatingly unidentified plus the aforementioned indoor gatherings. Victor Henry strikes me as an unconvincing character, either joshing wildly or moralising terribly. No the only star here and she shines pretty brightly in one of her earlier roles, is Susan George.

This is a really poor attempt to cash in on the success of Alfie.The problem is that none of the elements present in Alfie are present here.Victor Henry is no Michael Caine,nor is he even up to Robin Askwith.You just look at him and wonder how on earth would a character like this attract women.They all seem to fall weak at the knees at his caveman approach to them.He obviously gets his just desserts in the end when he has to marry Susan George,having got her pregnant only to discover that she is going to tern into a mirror image of her battleaxe mother.Having said that one major flaw is that the attraction between George and Henry seems totally unlikely.

(my review title with apologies to Burkbob,one of the two other reviewers)

Four great things about this movie: (1) the title (2) the DVD box cover, ooh black-and-tan, yes! (3) the scene as in (2) above in the movie itself (4) I will get to the fourth in the next paragraph

I would not have bought this DVD were it not for Susan George being in it. I collect her movies and I've got almost all the noteworthy ones, with OUT OF SEASON being the last one outstanding. After viewing this one I have to concur with the other reviewer who warned that thus movie is only of value to Susan George fans. Really, it leaves one quite a lot depressed at the end, and then, while in a gloomy mood, you think bad about the film. Which has a considerable lot of shortcomings. I'm in no frame of mind to list them now - my two colleagues here on IMDb did a good job here in their reviews and I'll let that suffice. But as for her with the golden hair and the big soulful eyes, once again, you did not disappoint, my dear. Ratty movie (literally) but yet another winning performance by the prettiest dolly bird in Swinging London during the Late Sixties. Let me just say that Susan George has got to be the cuddliest girl ever. Thank you and goodnight and feel free to vote for me as being Unhelpful.