Les bicyclettes de Belsize

I haven't seen this short 1960s film for at least 10 years now, and yet I retain an intense fondness for it. Perhaps, as a Londoner born and bred (albeit in Fulham, south-west London), I savour it for its portrait of a particularly glamorous part of London (Hampstead and environs), at a particularly fashionable time (the late 1960s). (Whenever I walk around certain parts of London I feel myself to be back in the 1960s, and the Hampstead/Highgate area is one such part.) I recommend that anyone within commuting distance of London book a day (or afternoon) of walking over Hampstead Heath and adjoining area, and that anyone else within remote-control distance of a VCR record this evocative little film at the next opportunity.

It is very gratifying to know that I am not the only person familiar with this film. Now, to the matter in hand. I did record it off TV the last time it was ever broadcast. Then I moved house. A box of odds and ends that included all my home recorded videos never made it to the new address. By the time I noticed several month had passed and the removal company could not help (obviously). SO, has anyone got the facility to copy their video onto another? I would of course pay for the blank tape to record on, postage and something for your time. Alternatively, does anyone have a copy and not want it any more? If someone out there can help it will mean the end of a 3 year search on the internet and a very happy birthday for my mother who is soon 80 and misses the film terribly. THANK YOU.

Saw this film a the British Film institute recently and was entranced by it. I live in Belsize Park, and recognise so many of the little streets and lanes such as New End Road and Pilgrims Lane.

I can't make them all out though...does anyone know if a 'Byclettes De Belsize' walking or cycling route exists? I want to follow his exact journey through modern day hampstead to see what's changed. It's quite haunting..all these years later I was walking down a path behind the Holly Bush and suddenly realised I was walking where he first bumped into the little girl! If anybody knows where it all starts and finishes though that would be great!

For those interested in this film, I felt it worth mentioning that it is now available via Optimum Classic/Studio Canal (optd1142) on the same release that features Norman Cohen's utterly wonderful 'The London Nobody Knows'. As you might expect, the DVD is lovingly assembled and the print quality of both films is superb.

Juxtaposing both on the same disc carries some editorial weight: Cohen's London is genuinely (and properly) post-apocalyptic, still reeling from the human and economic tragedies of the Second World War, whereas Hickox describes a shimmering fantasy which, for the fortunate few, was not a million miles from the truth.

As a student, I was sent home on Wednesday afternoons to study. As I was on a media production course, I felt justified in spending the afternoon watching television - surely that constituted study! Channel 4 threw up this little gem one afternoon and being a lover of musicals, I was instantly transfixed. Luckily it was soon repeated in the same time slot and I was able to set the timer (I was working by then) to tape it.

It is a great 30 minutes of entertainment. Quirky chap sees his ideal woman on a billboard poster and falls in love. Woman is dissatisfied with her life because all she wants is love... so will they get together? I couldn't possibly tell you...

Judy Huxtable is so gorgeous and I love the song 'Julie'. The film was made before I was born but I still appreciate the fashions, cars and lifestyle portrayed on screen. I did write to Channel 4 a year ago to ask if they had any plans to show it again but apparently they no longer own the rights. What a shame. An absolute diamond.