Snowball

Very much of its time, this film explores several issues including the power of the press, the damage a simple lie can do and and how an interfering busybody can cause such upset and tragedy. The story is simple on the surface - did an otherwise good boy (Dennis Waterman in an early role) tell a lie to cover up his mis-spending of a sixpence? But events snowball, gossip grows and an innocent man is accused of something of which he has no recollection. Strangely gripping and quite moving in parts.

Like Pat Jackson's earlier film 'The Birthday Present', behind the apparently light-hearted title lies not a fluffy little comedy but a stark drama reminiscent of 'The Children's Hour', 'Le Corbeau', 'Panique' and 'The Wrong Man' which could have been called 'The Tangled Web'.

Sixty years on the tensions between bus drivers and their passengers are still a feature of daily life; as well as the malign influence of the tabloid press. Ironically only two years earlier Kenneth Griffith had already played a fare dodger in 'Chain of Events'; but this time the poacher is the gamekeeper.

One shouldn't be surprised that this film should be so good bearing in mind that it was directed by Pay Jackson. A great performance from Kenneth Griffith's,not his usual mannered villain. Three couples all adversely affected by the complaining letter written by an unthinking neighbour.

Caught this on TP toda, an absolute gem of a film. A moral tale told very well, and ending that doesn't sugar coat it. Solid performances all round from all involved. In my opinion this film is up there with I'm Alright Jack as a British social commentary of its day.

Hadnt saw this before but caught it recently on Talking Pictures. An enjoyable little movie of how Peoples lives are affected by one small lie from a school boy (played by Dennnis Waterman who contrary to another reviewers opinion, actually did have have a few hit TV series playing lead roles such series as The Sweeney, Minder and Minder.

Kenneth Griffith is great as the accused Bus Conductor, while Gordan Jackson and Zena Walker play the parents of the boy. Throw in a rookie news reporter and things really do "Snowball" and makes the film gripping and shows just how one little white lie can cause so much trouble and consequences.