Primitive London (1965)

Opening with the birth of a baby, the exploitation ‘documentary’ film Primitive London attempts to cover just about every social group making News of the World headlines at the time – from mods and rockers to strippers, beatniks, wife-swappers and, erm, wrestlers.

Director Arnold L Miller takes a look at the highs and lows of the pop world as Billy J. Kramer – at the height of his fame – faces scores of screaming female fans waiting for him at a record shop signing while faded pop singer Terry Dene can walk past the same girls without any of them recognising him.

A bloody re-enactment of the Jack the Ripper murders is juxtaposed with footage of smashed-up cars while narrator David Gell notes that more people will die as a result of car accidents than ever did at the hands of the more famous murderer.

The film’s most infamous scene is a gruelling look at the killing of battery chickens where they are given electric shocks and have their throats slashed on an assembly line.

Comedian Barry Cryer and wrestler Mick McManus both also appear, here at the beginning of their careers.

There are some interesting views of London in the 1960s, though.

Narrator
David Gell
MacDonald Hobley
Himself
Billy J. Kramer
Himself
Diana Noble
Herself
Bobby Chandler
Himself
Vickie Gray
Herself
John Lee
Himself
Ray Martine
Himself
Audrey Crane
Herself
Beatrice Kotter
Herself
Roger 
Barry Cryer
Terry Dene
Himself
Emmett Hennessy
Himself
Wrestler
Mick McManus

Director
Arnold L. Miller

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