The wonderful Lynn Redgrave stars as the plump, rather dumpy and hopelessly un-hip Georgina (a role, bizarrely enough, first earmarked for her glamorous and svelte sister, Vanessa), pining for close chum Alan Bates while decidedly promiscuous roommate Charlotte Rampling jets around London looking delicious and shining as the man mad Meredith.
This bittersweet look at the lives of young Londoners trapped in the Swinging Sixties was the film that proved to the world that the Redgrave acting family had yet another talented member.
Prior to accepting the role of the rather frumpy Georgina – Lynn Redgrave had been in the shadows of her famous dad Sir Michael and sister Vanessa.
She received an Oscar nomination for the role and won several critics’ awards and that year’s Golden Globe.
In 1966 this film was very nearly refused classification, as it was seen as too scandalous. It’s got the lot – sex, abortions, dirty old men and Alan Bates.
But Georgy just doesn’t fit into the swinging scene and yearns for something a bit more traditional. She finds herself being pursued by her father’s boss James (James Mason) but George has designs on Jos, Meredith’s boyfriend, and avoids James as much as possible.
When Meredith falls pregnant (for the third time) the plot starts to thicken. Georgy and Jos act like parents to be whilst Meredith carries on in her usual party girl fashion. While Meredith is having his baby, Jos is too busy realising he’s in love with George – and she in love with him.
In one fell swoop all George’s dreams come true, she gets her man and her baby (both formerly belonging to Meredith) but domestic bliss doesn’t last long.
Jos feels constricted by his bank job and new fatherhood, leaving Georgy on her own. Single-parenthood just wasn’t on in 1966 so step forward Uncle James with the big white wedding as a grand finale.
Georgy Girl marked an impressive directorial debut from Silvio Narizzano (hitherto a TV director) who kept some potentially dicey material bright, if not always light.
The sprightly theme song was co-written by Tom Springfield (the musical ‘brother’ of the wonderful Dusty Springfield in the early 60s folk-pop trio The Springfields) and Carry On actor Jim Dale. It was recorded by Tom’s discovery The Seekers.
Georgy
Lynn Redgrave
James Leamington
James Mason
Jos
Alan Bates
Meredith
Charlotte Rampling
Ted
Bill Owen
Doris
Clare Kelly
Peg
Denise Coffey
Ellen
Rachel Kempson
Director
Silvio Narizza
