Innocent Sinners

This is a fantastic movie that I was lucky to get off of Turner Classic Movies. I will never delete it. The IMDb synopsis does not even begin to do it justice. This the story of intertwined lives in postwar London, of faith, redeemed lives, of resilience, and of decency centered around a cocksure, yet sensitive young teenager. It's a coming-of-age story with an amazing lead actress, June Archer, who is convincing in her innocence and her confidence. She was amazing. If you ever get a chance to see this movie on TCM or find a way to buy it, do so.

I was very young when I saw 'Innocent Sinners'. The story and harmonica music by Larry Adler captured an 11 year old. I sat mesmerised in the front row of the ABC cinema in Eltham High Street, south London. Up to then, I'd had to view (Saturday morning matinées were de rigeur) films from America that had nothing in common with my life or the life of any children I knew. This was my first film view which had raw music to underscore a story. Was this combination of music and film an early example of the art? The story was a British story with children who were post-war survivors of the Blitz. I grow a wild flower in my garden in honour of this film about gardening in the rubble. The flower is Rose Bay Willow Herb or 'Fireweed'. The seeds thrive when burnt. The survivors of the Blitx knew the flower only too well on the bomb sites of post-war London.

I had not seen this movie in over 50 years! It made such an impact on me that I never forgot it. It was shown on TCM on 4-18-13 and I started to cry as soon as the titles began. The actors were excellent - with memorable performances by Flora Robson and an ultimately sympathetic one by the usually mean spirited Catherine Lacey. The children were exceptional with Christopher Hey as Tip Malone my favorite. I enjoyed the Philip Green score too. I've been waiting for years for this title to be released in the U.S. on DVD. Hopefully it will happen! There was an hour long production of "An Episode of Sparrows" on American television in 1956 - an episode of Climax theater. Patty McCormack played Lovejoy Mason and Brandon DeWilde was Tip Malone. How I would love to see that!

A mother, who cares more for backstage glitter and male acquaintances, dumps her daughter Lovejoy with poor relatives. This couple struggle to run a tiny, though elegant restaurant; supporting Lovejoy is a hardship. They don't even have a refrigerator.

The little girl is motivated, zingy and quite disarming. Adamant on obtaining her wishes, she sets up a garden in a bombed churchyard and secures seeds with wit. Her close friend is a quite, steady boy who gladly assists. Lovejoy finds sympathy in a delicate elderly lady who has a weak heart and a no-nonsense sister.

A few shocks enter the story as Lovejoy is sent to a home for unwanted children just as the old lady dies. Not knowing of her passing, Lovejoy arrives at the door of her house, requesting the maid to give the lady her rose bush as she is moving away. The grieving sister holds the plant and sees a new view of life. A change in the old lady's will imparts relief to Lovejoy's relatives who can now decorate the restaurant they visualized. Everything slots in with a warm-hearted, cheery ending. An embracing movie in the classic style.

This is a truly excellent British film from the 1950's and, although hard to locate, is well worth searching for. From the opening credits to the satisfying finale, the film is a joy and one of the very best feel-good movies you will ever see. The story of a young city girl wanting to bring some beauty into the grim post war inner-city environment is gentle, touching and charming in equal measure, but never slips into mawkishness. This is helped enormously by the consistently brilliant playing of the whole cast - there is not a dud performance amongst them. The only puzzling aspect is why the juvenile leads, especially June Archer, never had successful acting careers. This film is unreservedly recommended to all who appreciate first class movie making!