Odeio o Meu Passado

A morality tale for the early sixties by the ever-enterprising Allied Filmmakers anticipating the journey taken by that year's headliner Christine Keeler and Julie Christie in 'Darling'.

This glossy Eastmancolor adaptation of the book by Patrick Hamilton is usually overlooked, but it provides a chance to savour the youthful beauty of the late lamented Janet Munro, who sadly like the heroine of this fable never lived to experience the fate she so feared of losing her youthful lustre as Miss Keeler certainly did.

Miss Munro might have found have found lasting happiness had she not unwisely favoured louche bounder Alan Badel over nice young John Stride, last seen courting good girl Anne Cunningham.

I don't know how I've missed this little gem. The terrific lost talent of Janet Munro and a whole host of top notch actors of the time like the acerbic Thora Hird and the tender John Stride give great performances here. The story is a natural successor to the gritty black and white Bryanston kitchen sink dramas of the late 50s early 60s. It sits well too with pre swinging 60s films like Alfie. A perfect snapshot of the social and sexual mores of the time. A special mention too for the beautiful colour cinematography and the evocative London locations. I don't think you'll be disappointed

Saw this at the Dominion, Twickenham, Middlesex, in November 1963 - it was the B-movie to a film I've forgotten - I happened to see Bitter Harvest second in the programme. I enjoyed the London setting of the film - Jenny has a room overlooking the railway tracks at Paddington but the film had an overall feeling of terrible sadness and waste - I went and looked at the dark river Thames flowing under the footbridge to Eel Pie island - then I went home and heard that President Kennedy had been shot in Dallas. So that's what I was doing when...

B movie or A movie, it's not a grandiose masterpiece but it's still good and watchable. The actors are all good, the story is not quite great, it has some gaps but, we are all super intelligent viewers, aren't we, and we can imagine what is missing. The first 5 minutes are very powerful, when Jenny destroys the pillow with scissors, pours the drink on the photo to Karl (Alan Badel) and throws her dresses out the window. The final scene in which Bob (John Stride) crosses the street with Ella (Anne Cunningham) and they are almost hit by the ambulance containing Jenny's lifeless body is impressive and strong. Janet Munro did a great role.

Perhaps somewhat dated by today's standards, but, nevertheless, an interesting tale about a girl from Wales who ends up in London and then begins what she perceives to be her climb up the ladder of success. Each time she meets a new person, the viewer learns a little bit more about her personality. Where will it all end?