The Small World of Sammy Lee

I was engaged by the U.S. Distributor, Seven Arts Films, to produce a trailer for the film. Notwithstanding that both the film and my trailer were quite good, it did not enjoy good box office. Seven arts changed the title to "The Small VIOLENT World of Sammy Lee", had me do a new, more action oriented trailer, and they rereleased it under that title. It did somewhat better in that incarnation, but was still not the blockbuster they had hoped it would be.

As an additional aside, in addition to the BBC t.v. play, there was a U.S. version of the television show, as well. If memory serves, it starred Mickey Rooney.

Anthony Newley is at the top of his game here as the eponymous nightclub host who is way past his best. His lame one-liners have long since stopped engaging his dwindling number of punters who now only show up for a cheap drink and a eyeful. His on stage failures are not his only worries. He couldn't pick a winner in an one-horse race and is in hock to his bookie for money he can never hope to raise, and they are not about to let him off. He is also in love - but even that's complicated with "Patsy" (Julia Foster) being embroiled in the business he shares with the odious and sleazy "Gerry" (Robert Stephens). There's a who's who of solid supporting British characters here that help depict a Soho, now long gone, that did deserve it's nickname as a square mile of vice and depravity. Wilfred Brambles, Warren Mitchell and Roy Kinnear all add a gritty richness to the poignant adaptation of his BBC play by auteur Ken Hughes and it's clear from early on that an happy ending - for anyone - is most unlikely. Hughes conveys the seediness and the ghastliness cleverly. There's virtually nothing graphic, or even especially violent - here. That's all left to our imagination and to the gradually increasing sense that "Sammy Lee" has seen his finest hour. He just has to hope it's not soon to be his last. I didn't always like the Newley brand of Londoner, but in this he delivers engagingly and I almost felt sorry for him at times!

I saw this upon its original release in 1963 and loved. Never having being able to see it again I was sorry to miss it at a rare BFI Southbank showing last year and now here it is on DVD. To be honest, I remember enjoying it despite its gambling debt theme but now find this an annoyance. The b/w cinematography is still wonderful and this is a great portrayal of early 60s Soho, when it was more Jewish and Italian than Chinese and gay as it is now. Later in the 60s I was old enough to visit pubs and music venues and recall that older prostitutes still stood on the corners, though not anymore. There is still a buzz to the place and the street layout is unchanged but it doesn't have quite that jump and dare accurately depicted here. Newley is excellent in the central role and is well supported by Wilfred Brambell and Julia Foster.

Made and released in 1963, this film gave Newley a real meaty role instead of the light comedy, musical roles he was usually cast in. The original BBC play was a one man, one scene event, but the full Soho, London locations gave the film a more murky, underworld feel and you really felt for Sammy Lee, although you realised he was his own worst enemy! Beautifully photographed in black and white, atmospheric and with Newley at his acting best. Well worth a viewing. Excellent support from Wilfred Brambell (Steptoe) as Newley/Sammy's dresser, and Julia Foster putting in a suitable innocent performance as the love interest who has fallen for Sammy's charms (lies).

This is definitely worth a look if it comes your way. Tony Newly is gives an uncharacteristicly understated but perfectly judged performance in this evocation of 60s Soho low life. The cast is littered with top quality British acting talent in all the minor roles. A sleazy Robert Stephens as clubbowner; Warren Mitchell and Miriam Karlin a jewish deli owner and his wife give what might seem charicature jewish performances in 21stC but no less endearing for that. Plus Wilfred Bramble, Alfred Burke and Roy Kinnear and a host of others including a very young and delicate Julia Foster If you knew Soho in the 60s there's a huge amount of gorgeous b&w location photography to bring a smile. Spot the landmarks including the famous '2 I's' coffee bar! The acting great and pretty authentic for the period. The plot - seedy entertainer owes gambling debts and needs to raise cash to pay off hoods - is low key and the violence gentle by modern standards but the device keep the momentum going nicely Don't miss it