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Steaming (1985)
Works better on a stage
Five stars for this film of Nell Dunn's play set in an English council run Turkish bath on Women's day. There is some fine acting: Diana Dors steals the show of course for her sheer ability. Venessa Redgrave gives a stolid performance although there is nothing to stretch an actress of her abilities, and the rest of the cast give good performances. The whole film has an atmosphere of a BBC play for today and there is no real cinematic quality to the film as a whole. I really would not want to see this on the big screen. Perhaps this is due to the confines of the set: we see the plunge bath, steam room, hot room, exercise room, showers and rest room. And that's it. No exterior shots to establish the baths - all the action takes place in one location. The whole thing is simply a filmed play. Workmanlike but not inspired.The play however examines relationships between a number of women, mostly middle class.
I Think They Call Him John (1964)
I couldn't see the point of this.
The film takes you through an average day of a widower called John who lives in a large block of flats in London (presumably). You see him eating his breakfast, having a rather meager lunch consisting of two sausages, writing a letter, setting up an ironing board sweeping the floor and watching television. The person is clearly old and finding things difficult but he seemed to be totally cut off from life, which could only be by choice.
Why is this interesting? Why did somebody make a film of his day? Was it to show that some people live alone? Maybe this was unusual in 1964 but not so much today. I can't see that there was any sort of scandalous behaviour. Maybe he didn't like company?
This film was tedious in the extreme - I hoped for some excitement but it was not forthcoming. Avoid at all costs!
Men of Rochdale (1944)
Good explanation of the origins of the cooperative movement
This film, made at a healthy £15000 budget, uses the voice of George Jacob Holyoake to explain in detail the origins and progress of the cooperative movement and the ghosts of the Rochdale pioneers to call the public to complete their work. The film considers the industrial conditions in Lancashire in the 1840s and the response of working class people to those conditions. Opposition to the movement by private traders is shown. There are moments of panic where there is a threatened run on the Pioneer's share capital which is solved by innovation. The film shows and lists the names of the pioneers and shows their (long suffering?) wives. It also pays tribute to Annie, the movement's 'unknown soldier'.
Worth a look for its historical and documentary value.