This classic 1953 Children’s Film Foundation (CFF) production tells the affecting story of a young orphaned Polish refugee named Janek (Eugeniusz Chylek) who faces prejudice but eventually finds a new home in Scotland.
The boy runs away from his unkind foster mother in Edinburgh (Mona Washbourne) and crosses paths with hapless comedy crooks Harry (Sydney Tafler) and Fingers (Michael Balfour), who trick him into helping them rob a house.
Janek eventually stumbles upon a utopian international children’s village in Perthshire, run by caring adults.
The young Lewis Gilbert – who went on to direct classic James Bond films like You Only Live Twice (1967) and The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) – handles the topic with considerable flair.
The film won the prestigious Silver Gondola award at the Venice Film Festival’s International Film Festival for Children. It also won second prize in the inaugural “CHIFFY” Awards (chosen by 100,000 ABC Minors who voted for their three top CFF films) in 1968.
Janek (Johnny)
Eugeniusz Chylek ‘Flash’ Harry Fisher
Sydney Tafler ‘Fingers’ Brown
Michael Balfour Nita
Edna Wynn Karl
David Coote Susie
Cleo Sylvestre Talu
Louis Alexander Lizel
Elizabeth Saunders Benny
John Levitt Mrs MacIntyre
Jean Anderson Mr MacIntyre
Moultrie Kelsall Mrs MacGregor
Mona Washbourne Janet MacGregor
Margaret McCourt Kenneth MacGregor
Keith Faulkner Crofter
Archie Duncan Police Inspector
Gordon McLeod Sergeant Foster
Edward Forsyth Policeman
John Laurie Radio Salesman
John Rae Village Boy
John Gilbert
Director
Lewis Gilbert
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Janek eventually stumbles upon a utopian international children’s village in Perthshire, run by caring adults.
