Monday, February 06, 2023

Movie review - "Flame in the Streets" (1961) **1/2

 This was a TV play then a stage play by Ted Wills. John Mills played Sylvia Syms' lover in Ice Cold in Alex but here they're father and daughter, more appropriate casting.

It's heart is in the right place and some scenes retain their power, such as flinging abuse around, and the issues are still relevant.

People say speeches rather than be real characters. I didn't get the sense Johnny Sekka and Sylvia Syms really loved each other. Or than anyone is a real person. Maybe the dodgy black landlord. The teddy boy racists are just that. Earl Cameron's decent worker is a decent worker.

It's got solid point-counterpoint arguments (Mills wife points out he's never home, Cameron's white wife Ann Lynn shows a more troubled side) but it never comes alive.

The final riot is independent of the main drama. It should've been part of it - like disaffected employers are behind it and specifically target Cameron. And there's not enough oomph. Syms should have died maybe, or Cameron's wife - something to give it more point.

Good on Rank for making it, and in colour and CinemaScope. At least it gives black actors something to play.

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