Director Carol Reed’s first colour film is a lively theatrical presentation all about working-class hopes and dreams. Released in 1955, A Kid For Two Farthings was filmed partially in and around London’s Petticoat Lane market together with studio footage – and yes, you can see the join.
In the opening sequence, a pigeon flies from Trafalgar Square along The Strand to the market where it alights on a pub sign for The Unicorn, and a young boy, Joe (Jonathan Ashmore) becomes fascinated by the idea that a unicorn can bring good luck.
He’s encouraged in this belief by their neighbour, tailor Mr Kandinsky (a stereotyped Jewish role from David Kossoff) and when he sees what is actually a single-horned young goat, he spends all his pocket money to buy it.
We have to accept marble-mouthed Celia Johnson as Joe’s working-class mother, Joanna, while Sonia (a perky Diana Dors) tries to persuade her muscle man boyfriend, Sam Heppner (Joe Robinson) to earn some money for an engagement ring which Ice Berg (Sidney James) is keen to supply.
Watch out for blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearances from Spike Milligan, Barbara Windsor and Sam Kydd.
Joanna
Celia Johnson Sonia
Diana Dors Avrom Kandinsky
David Kossoff Sam Heppner
Joe Robinson Joe
Jonathan Ashmore Lady Ruby
Brenda de Banzie Python Macklin
Primo Carnera Blackie Isaacs
Lou Jacobi Mrs Abramowitz
Irene Handl Bully Bason
Danny Green Madam Rita
Sydney Tafler Ice Berg
Sidney James Mimi
Vera Day Dora
Daphne Anderson Vagrant
Joseph Tomelty Oliver
Harold Berens Alf the Bird Man
Alfie Bass Indian with Grey Beard
Spike Milligan Blonde with a Crush on Sam
Barbara Windsor
Director
Carol Reed
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Joanna
Madam Rita
