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ComedyDrama

St. Martin's Lane

- A Heart-Stirring Drama of Peace-Time London!

On the sidewalks of the London theater district the buskers (street performers) earn enough coins for a cheap room. Charles, who recites dramatic monologues, sees that a young pickpocket, Libby, also has a talent for dancing and adds her to his act. Harley, the theater patron who never knew Libby took his gold cigarette case, is impressed by Libby's dancing and invites her to bring Charles and the other buskers in his group to an after-the-play party. Libby comes alone. A theatrical career is launched.

Release Date : 1938-10-18

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Mayflower Pictures

Production Country : United Kingdom

Alternative Titles : Sidewalks of London

Cast

Charles Laughton

Character Name : Charles Staggers

Original Name : Charles Laughton

Gender : Male

Vivien Leigh

Character Name : Liberty

Original Name : Vivien Leigh

Gender : Female

Rex Harrison

Character Name : Harley Prentiss

Original Name : Rex Harrison

Gender : Male

Larry Adler

Character Name : Constantine Dan

Original Name : Larry Adler

Gender : Male

Tyrone Guthrie

Character Name : Gentry

Original Name : Tyrone Guthrie

Gender : Male

Maire O'Neill

Character Name : Mrs. Such

Original Name : Maire O'Neill

Gender : Female

Gus McNaughton

Character Name : Arthur Smith

Original Name : Gus McNaughton

Gender : Male

Polly Ward

Character Name : Frankie

Original Name : Polly Ward

Gender : Female

Basil Gill

Character Name : Magistrate

Original Name : Basil Gill

Gender : Male

Helen Haye

Character Name : Selina

Original Name : Helen Haye

Gender : Female

David Burns

Character Name : Hackett

Original Name : David Burns

Gender : Male

Phyllis Stanley

Character Name : Della

Original Name : Phyllis Stanley

Gender : Female

Edward Lexy

Character Name : Mr. Such

Original Name : Edward Lexy

Gender : Male

Clare Greet

Character Name : Old Maud

Original Name : Clare Greet

Gender : Female

Alf Goddard

Character Name : Doggie

Original Name : Alf Goddard

Gender : Male

Cyril Smith

Character Name : Black Face

Original Name : Cyril Smith

Gender : Male

Romilly Lunge

Character Name : Jan Duchesi

Original Name : Romilly Lunge

Gender : Male

Ronald Ward

Character Name : Jack Temperley

Original Name : Ronald Ward

Gender : Male

Carroll Gibbons

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Carroll Gibbons

Gender : Male

Ronald Shiner

Character Name : Barman (uncredited)

Original Name : Ronald Shiner

Gender : Male

Reviews

C

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2022-06-20

There's quite a lot of depth to this tale of London's theatre-land buskers just as their importance started to wain. Charles Laughton ("Charlie") scratches a living reciting Kipling to those waiting in queues for theatres and cinemas when he encounters Vivien Leigh ("Liberty") who dances, mimics and picks pockets for a living. She has attracted the attentions of impresario Rex Harrison ("Harley") who sees some potential in the young girl and her career is launched! There's a bit of an unlikely love story between Laughton and Leigh, and as the latter's star rises - the relationship is tested. The characterisations from Laughton are funny and decent; Leigh shows clearly what made her a star and Harrison also brings a certain class to the proceedings. It's also an interesting observation of just how the whole street entertainer culture offered everything from eloquent poetry and vibrant dancing to roast chestnuts and petty larceny as recently as the 1930s. It's rarely seen nowadays, but if you get an opportunity then this is certainly a film that belies it's low-key status with some good writing; characterful performances, laughs and gentle pathos.