FLAME IN THE STREETS
UK, 1961, 93 minutes, Colour.
John Mills, Brenda de Banzie, Sylvia Syms, Earl Cameron, Johnny Sekka, Ann Lynn, Wilfred Brambell
Directed by Roy Baker.
Flame in the Streets is a strong British social drama from the late '50s, early '60s, written by Lord Ted Willis (Woman in a Dressing Gown). It tackles the theme of racism in London, the immigrants from the West Indies, their being considered as inferior, as taking jobs from the British. The themes of racism and employment are those which have continued in succeeding decades. The film also focuses on interracial prejudice in the workplace, the emphasis on opportunity and talent - but also shows the unwillingness of the British for intermarriage.
John Mills does a solid job as the union leader who has given his life to his work, neglecting his family, especially his upper-crust wife, played with conviction by Brenda de Banzie. Wilfred Brambell appears (before Steptoe and Son) as his unionist father. Sylvia Syms is the young teacher who falls in love with a black teacher, Johnny Sekka. Earl Cameron, veteran of many British movies, is the West Indian who is being voted on for promotion in the factory.
The film was made in colour and is quite striking in its presentation of this England - which is also the England reflected in so many of the social dramas from the '60s to the '90s. The film was directed by Roy Baker, veteran of a great range of films including horror as well as serious dramas like A Night to Remember.
1.The impact of the message drama? In its time? Continuing relevance?
2.The London settings, the suburbs, homes, factories, the streets? Musical score? Echoes of West Indian music?
3.The title and its tone, the setting of 5 November and the Guy Fawkes memorial, the bonfires, the literal fires in the street, fireworks? Political background, passion?
4.Britain and the '50s and '60s, the end of empire? The migrants from the West Indies, their heritage? British injustice of the past? Race issues, work issues, employment, racism and prejudice?
5.The action taking place on one day: the focus on Gomez and Judy, the interracial marriage, the possibility of his promotion? Jacko and his family, the union, the meeting, the workers prejudiced, Kathy and her engagement, Nell and her violent reaction? Kathy and Peter and their work at school, at the swimming pool, the neighbours watching them, the interracial clashes? The screenplay weaving these three stories together?
6.Gomez at work, his competence, the support of the West Indians? Mitchell and his criticisms, racism? Talks with Jacko? The black and white tensions on the factory floor, calling the West Indians "spades"? Judy and her pregnancy, tension at home, their love for each other, antagonisms? The question whether to go to the meeting or not? Judy's persuasion? Gomez going to the meeting, the impact of Jacko's speech? The workers' agreement? His returning to give Jacko thanks? The riots, his going out into the streets, the injury and the burning, Judy going to hospital with him?
7.Judy, her background, decision to marry Gomez? Pregnancy? The flat? Her discussing the tensions of interracial marriage with Kathy? Kathy giving her her support?
8.The workplace, social issues, the role of the union since 1912? Jacko, the interview with his boss - who had come up from the ranks? The challenge about a black man being promoted? Jacko at work, Jacko at home - busy, loving Nell but ignoring what she was saying, the house without the bathroom...? Not talking with Kathy, rushing to conclusions about her engagement? His relationship with his father, the union tradition? Going to the meeting, running it, the vehemence of his speech? Nell's coming to the meeting, his reaction about Kathy's engagement, his being surprised by the vehemence of her outburst? Not knowing her? His father warning him? His going to discuss the matter with Peter?
9.Jacko and his stances, prejudice, talking with Peter, trying to dissuade him from the wedding, talking to Kathy, bringing them both home, urging Nell to face reality?
10.Nell and her superior manner, love for Jacko, saying that she would have walked out, hurt by his being so caught up with the unions? Her love for Kathy - her only daughter? At home, meals? Talking with the neighbours? Her fears about Kathy's engagement? Her prejudice, the vehemence of her outburst to Jacko? Going back home - Jacko bringing her to meet Peter and Kathy?
11.Jacko's dad, memory of the establishment of the union, reciting the poem at home, going to the meeting, the motto of the unions and their emphasis on unity? His realising what was going on at home, his warnings to Jacko?
12.Kathy and Peter, work at school, getting to know each other, the swimming pool? People looking at them and talking about them, Kathy and her fears - looking in the shop window to avoid criticism? Her apology? Her going to Peter, the discussions, her father's coming? Trying to deal with her mother?
13.The sequences at home, Nell and her place, grandfather reciting the poem, outbursts and clashes? The contrast with the riots in the streets? The support of Judy by Kathy and their going off together?
14.The background of the young men, racial prejudice, taunting the West Indians, the fights? Returning with the fireworks, the burning of the guy? The riots in the streets? Fighting and the police?
15.The strength of the message film? For British audiences? In the light of succeeding decades?
