'Bad Boys of the Blitz'

[smurf]

I saw a TV documentary recently called 'Bad Boys of the Blitz' . Throughout the program they showed snippets from a b&w British film from the 1940's/50's featuring a handsome young lad caught thieving and being sent to a young offenders prison. Anyone know what the film was ? The young lad looked familiar, but I'm baffled.

[Hugo]

Possibly 'Boys in Brown' (1949) with a very young Dirk Bogarde

[smurf]

Pretty sure its not Dirk Bogarde, although I've only ever seen him in middle age. It's unfortunate they did'nt credit the film at the end of the documentary.

[dylan]

Watch the programme here:



TVF International



D.

[Steve Crook]

name='dylan']Watch the programme here:



TVF International



D.

The one where they're being chased by the police car in that clip (at about 1:45) is from The Blue Lamp



Steve

[smurf]

name='dylan']Watch the programme here:



TVF International



D.

THAT'S THE LAD ! (with the policeman ,in the still for this clip) What film is that still from?? It's not 'The Blue Lamp'.

[Steve Crook]

name='smurf']THAT'S THE LAD ! (with the policeman ,in the still for this clip) What film is that still from?? It's not 'The Blue Lamp'.

I thought that might be who you meant. To make it easier for others I'll include it here



But I don't know who it is



Steve

[smurf]

name='Steve Crook']I thought that might be who you meant. To make it easier for others I'll include it here



But I don't know who it is



Steve

Thanks for posting the still - it's quite a mystery. The lad looks familiar but I cannot place him.

[batman]

The only person it reminds me of is Anthony Newley.



Bats.

[smurf]

name='batman']The only person it reminds me of is Anthony Newley.



Bats.

Definately not Anthony Newley - here are more stills from the film used in the programme - flickr link

[Merton Park]

He looks like one of the boys out of Hue and Cry, can't be sure though.

[Hackett]

name='Merton Park']He looks like one of the boys out of Hue and Cry, can't be sure though.

Boy's? Harry Fowler was 21. This unknown looks even older.

[batman]

Perhaps he was a lad who was roped in to do this and never did anything else .... from the stills provided by smurf he doesn't look very 'actor-ish'.

Bats.

[smurf]

name='batman']Perhaps he was a lad who was roped in to do this and never did anything else .... from the stills provided by smurf he doesn't look very 'actor-ish'.

Bats.

Yes, it could be an obscure B movie or possibly a cautionary public information film of the period. How infuriating !

[cy_renaica]

Looks like Robert Beatty's younger brother - if he had one. I guess the man himself was putting fires out on the San Demetrio at the time.

CY

[maturin]

Anyone have Bad Boys of the Blitz?

It's an interesting subject which doesn't get much attention - aside I suppose from the related Foyle's War.

Richard

[dors52]

After an unbelievably long search i have found the film you are all talking about. It was called 'children on trial' made in 1946. a 60 min doc. its available from the BFI on a dvd called police and thieves. the actor in question was fred watson, an unknown. now i just have to try and find him x

[bobsterkent]

Yes it is children on trial, here is another interesting fact about that film. The other boy who stole the radio from the shop was based on the true story of Gerald Wells who run the Wireless Museum in Dulwich, London.

[dors52]

hi, i dont suppose you know anymore on fred watson. this is going to be the hardest challenge ive taken on

[bobsterkent]

No I don't know anything about Fred