This near-kitchen sink drama of “modern teenagers” and their love lives revolves around 19-year-old Alan (Michael Crawford), who is odd-man-out among his workmates, whose sole leisure occupation seems to be “birds”
He gets off with Eileen (Nyree Dawn Porter, looking absolutely stunning), the very experienced new waitress at their local corner cafe, who takes him to a jazz club (The Floride Club), where she temporarily drops him in favour of a callow but vicious teenager called Ronnie (Michael Craze).
At the same time, he meets Beth (Julia Foster), a nice girl with a troubled home life following her father’s suicide.
But Alan still determines to chase Eileen – setting off a chain reaction of shrieking cats, clattering dustbins, cursing neighbours and yapping dogs – and leading to friction with the local gang. When Alan is eventually beaten up at the cafe, it is, of course, undaunted, faithful Beth who sticks by him.
The British Lion film was based on a 1960 novel entitled In My Solitude by David Stuart Leslie. Although filmed in early 1963, it was not released until May 1965 (as part of a double bill with Ring of Spies).
Alan Crabbe
Michael Crawford
Eileen
Nyree Dawn Porter
Beth Crowley
Julia Foster
Brian
David Hemmings
Mr Crabbe
Bernard Lee
Bill
David Lodge
Ronnie
Michael Craze
Mavis
Dilys Watling
Miles
Cyril Chamberlain
Uncle Reg
Michael Ripper
Bob Wallis and His Storyville Jazzmen
Themselves
Director
Roy Ward Baker