{"id":36391,"date":"2016-03-03T22:26:07","date_gmt":"2016-03-04T05:26:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=36391"},"modified":"2021-01-12T19:40:23","modified_gmt":"2021-01-13T02:40:23","slug":"st-martins-lane-sidewalks-of-london-1938","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=36391","title":{"rendered":"St. Martin\u2019s Lane \/ Sidewalks of London (1938)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;There ain&#8217;t no justice and there ain&#8217;t no logic; the world ain&#8217;t made that way.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Poster-216x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"216\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-36401\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Poster-216x300.png 216w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Poster-92x128.png 92w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Poster-768x1069.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Poster-736x1024.png 736w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Poster.png 817w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 216px) 100vw, 216px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA pickpocket waif (Vivien Leigh) on the streets of London befriends a sympathetic busker (Charles Laughton) who takes pity on her and realizes she has dancing talent. After working as a team for awhile, Leigh is solicited by a wealthy man (Rex Harrison) who helps turn her into a star of the stage &#8212; but will her loyalty to Laughton shift for good?\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Aspiring Stars<\/li>\n<li>Charles Laughton Films<\/li>\n<li>Class Relations<\/li>\n<li>Friendship<\/li>\n<li>Rex Harrison Films<\/li>\n<li>Vivien Leigh Films<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nMade the year before Vivien Leigh&#8217;s breakthrough role as Scarlett O&#8217;Hara in <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=41976\"><em>Gone With the Wind<\/em> (1939)<\/a>, this sentimental tale about an unexpected friendship-of-convenience is primarily notable for Laughton&#8217;s nuanced performance as a quirky, practical, all-too-human fellow who &#8220;does the right thing&#8221; without thinking twice. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Laughton2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Laughton2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"790\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-36396\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Laughton2.png 790w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Laughton2-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Laughton2-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Laughton2-768x560.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Leigh&#8217;s character, on the other hand, is intentionally hard to sympathize with &#8212; though she redeems herself nicely by the end and is certainly no villain. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Sidewalks-of-London-Leigh.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Sidewalks-of-London-Leigh.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"790\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-63087\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Sidewalks-of-London-Leigh.png 790w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Sidewalks-of-London-Leigh-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Sidewalks-of-London-Leigh-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Sidewalks-of-London-Leigh-768x560.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Sidewalks-of-London-Leigh-370x270.png 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Refreshingly, Laughton&#8217;s romantic interest in Leigh only occurs after they&#8217;ve lived (platonically) and worked together for awhile; until then, he maintains appropriately paternal\/brotherly affection for her. Fine period detail and stark cinematography make this tale visually appealing, but it&#8217;s only must-see for fans of Leigh or Laughton, or those interested in pre-WWII <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Street_performance\">busking<\/a> culture.   <\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> The storyline has strong parallels with <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=36052\"><em>A Star is Born<\/em> (1937)<\/a>, given Laughton&#8217;s &#8220;fall from [relative] grace&#8221; while Leigh&#8217;s star is rising. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Charles Laughton as Charlie (nominated as one of the Best Actors of the Year in Peary&#8217;s <em>Alternate Oscars<\/em>)<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Laughton.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Laughton.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"790\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-36395\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Laughton.png 790w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Laughton-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Laughton-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Laughton-768x560.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li>Fine period detail<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Period-Detail.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Period-Detail.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"790\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-36398\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Period-Detail.png 790w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Period-Detail-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Period-Detail-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Period-Detail-768x560.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Period-Detail2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Period-Detail2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"790\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-36399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Period-Detail2.png 790w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Period-Detail2-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Period-Detail2-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Period-Detail2-768x560.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Jules Kruger&#8217;s cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Cinematography.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Cinematography.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"790\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-36393\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Cinematography.png 790w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Cinematography-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Cinematography-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Cinematography-768x560.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Cinematography2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Cinematography2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"790\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-36394\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Cinematography2.png 790w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Cinematography2-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Cinematography2-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sidewalks-of-London-Cinematography2-768x560.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo; this one is only must-see for Laughton or Leigh completists. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0030746\/\">IMDb entry<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tcm.com\/this-month\/article\/337208%7C0\/Sidewalks-of-London-aka-St-Martin-s-Lane.html\">TCM Article<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1940\/02\/15\/archives\/the-screen-laughton-and-leigh-buss-the-buskers-in-sidewalks-of.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.timeout.com\/london\/film\/st-martins-lane-w-c-2\">Time Out Capsule Review<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;There ain&#8217;t no justice and there ain&#8217;t no logic; the world ain&#8217;t made that way.&#8221; Synopsis: A pickpocket waif (Vivien Leigh) on the streets of London befriends a sympathetic busker (Charles Laughton) who takes pity on her and realizes she has dancing talent. After working as a team for awhile, Leigh is solicited by a wealthy man (Rex Harrison) who helps turn her into a star of the stage &#8212; but will her loyalty to Laughton shift for good? Genres,&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=36391\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36391","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36391","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=36391"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36391\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63088,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36391\/revisions\/63088"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=36391"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=36391"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=36391"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}