John and Julie

This was a most enjoyable film, using the coronation of a year or so before as a backdrop for the story. Lots of very familiar British actors, many of whom became well-known in later years, were in the film and Eddie Calvert's theme became a hit in those less beat-conscious years.

I saw this film for a second time on Talking Pictures and I was enthralled by it. A lovely nostalgic piece which had me close to tears. It brought back memories of a gentler more innocent time, beautifully acted and with two fabulous performances by the youngsters. Lesley Dudley was so adorable I could give her a big cuddle. Superbly made and a pure joy to watch. How I wish I lived in the 1950s.

I saw this movie when it first came out in the l950's. It's the story of a little boy and girl called John and Julie who want very desperately to attend the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth IInd. When it becomes apparent that their parents can't take them they run away together to London and the film is the story of their little adventure and the things that happened to them. There is a chance they may not see the Queen.... It is funny and the children are very appealing.

The background music for the film is very melodic. This music was recorded by trumpet player Eddie Calvert. The little girl, Julie was played by Lesley Dunlop, who acted in the early l990's in a British TV serial called "May to December", playing the part of Zoe Callender.

"John and Julie" evokes memories of my own childhood, seeing this sweet, wonderful comedy on TV in the sixties. A simple story, of two British children, separated from their families while en route to London to see Elizabeth crowned, the film offers a wide variety of British performers (including Wilfrid Hyde-White and a young Peter Sellers), as 'typical', if often eccentric, countrymen who aid the children on their way. Colin Gibson and Lesley Dudley, as the children, are completely natural, and captivating (Dudley pouts so wistfully that you want to hug her!)

With a beautiful score (highlighted by a trumpet solo), stock footage of the actual event blended in with the story, and a joyous finale that could turn the most dedicated 'Yank' into an Anglophile, "John and Julie" is a small gem, something the entire family will love!

This was shown in America in the early seventies on the short lived CBS Children's Film Festival, which of course was hosted by Kukla, Fran & Ollie, the trio in which Fran was a human being, but Kukla the clown and Ollie the dragon were hand puppets operated by Burr Tillstrom.

I had no idea this program was in color for starters, and now to see it nearly 30 years later, it really is an absolute escapist delight. Forget all your troubles in life and focus on two children wanting to see her majesty's coronation.

Peter Sellers (nearly unrecognizeable as that cop), Sidney James (whom I just discovered earlier this year in the Carry On movies), and above all others, Wilfred Hyde White, always sensational to listen to.

There is nothing I can say about the music. It carries the movie, enters at just the right moments.

The coronation as well was brilliant. For her majesty and Winston Churchill's brief appearances? Certainly, but the stars were the British subjects themselves, shown throughout the movie aiding John and Julie in their quest to get to London as well, now gathered along the procession to cheer for the queen. These were the stars, as the movie triumphantly noted at the very end.

And now to see it well half a century after the events, three decades after I was first exposed to the story, what more is there to say?

God save the queen.