St Martin’s Lane – 1938 | 85 mins | Drama, Musical | B&W

Plot Synopsis

This romantic drama was the second of three prestigious productions from the Erich Pommer and Charles Laughton partnership, slotted between Vessel of Wrath (1938) and Jamaica Inn (19390. Written by Clemence Dane for Laughton, the script was revised by producer Erich Pommer and constantly veers too far into gloom and sentimentality. Laughton conjures up a ripe performance as the ageing busker seemingly spurned and pouring his heart and soul into reciting stirring monologues. But despite location shooting among theatre queues and some convincingly shabby sets, American director Tim Whelan fails to capture the realism and atmosphere of street life and the film was duly snubbed by public and critics alike.

Set in West End theatre land, middle-aged busker Charlie Staggers (Charles Laughton) entertains on the streets of London and recruits down on her luck young waif Libby (Vivien Leigh) into his little band of musicians after catching her in the act of pick-pocketing. Libby moves in with Charlie and together they form a music troupe called The Co-operators; performing nightly on the street outside the Holborn Empire. Charlie develops a crush for his young protégé, but he is spurned by Libby who is subsequently spotted by theatre impresario Harley Prentiss (Rex Harrison) and is catapulted to fame in the music halls. Unable to forget the man who saved her, she seeks out Charlie to help him get into the big time. He, however, declines her offer; the busker’s life is the only life for him.