The Magic Garden (1951)
"The Pennywhistle Blues" (original title)

Director:

Donald Swanson

Writers:

James H. Brown (story), C.M. Pennington-Richards,

Stars:

Tommy Ramokgopa, Harriet Qubeka, Joseph Motuba

Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Tommy Ramokgopa	...	The Thief
Harriet Qubeka	...	Mrs. Shakabona
Joseph Motuba	...	Nicholas, store clerk
David Mnkwanazi	...	Lucas Ranku
Victor Cwai	...	John, Lili's beau
Dolly Rathebe	...	Lili Shabulala
Grinsell Nogauza	...	Mr. Shabulala
Lucas Khosa	...	Isaac Wela
Linda Madikisa	...	Mrs. Wela
Jonathan Mzamo	...	Priest
George Mabuza	...	Mr. Letuli, the troubled parishioner
Cornelius Moghare	...	A Constable
Samuel Alcock	...	A Constable
Willard Cele	...	Pennywhistle Player
Stanley Khali	...	Mrs. Shakabona's Neighbor

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

flute | south africa | penny whistle | african | musician

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music

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Details

Country:

South Africa

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 February 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Magic Garden

Filming Locations:

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Company Credits

Production Co:

Swan Film Productions Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

63 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

A mother finds money in the garden - and it changes life for a string of unfortunates.

This must be an excellent movie -- after all, I've been thinking of it from time to time over 50 years! I saw it when it was first released in the 50's and it's stuck in my memory. A gentle, wistful tale of life in a black township, with the hero a small-time thief who plays a penny whistle. I looked for it on line when search engines were less efficient and databases smaller. Now I've found it. I'm eager to see it again.

The cast are non-professionals, but the pacing and visuals are certainly of high quality. High point: When the local police lift a garbage can lid and see the thief inside, one looks at the other and says, "Man, the housing shortage is worse than I thought." Dumb, but endearing. Especially since they carefully put the lid back on, and go on their way.

It sits in my memory beside the original Theodore Bikel "Little Kidnappers." A keeper.