The Yellow Balloon (1953)

In post-war London, a small boy, who blames himself for the accidental death of a friend, falls under the bad influence of a street criminal.

Director:

J. Lee Thompson (as J. Lee-Thompson)

Writers:

Anne Burnaby (from an original story by), Anne Burnaby (screenplay)

Stars:

Andrew Ray, Kathleen Ryan, Kenneth More

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Andrew Ray	...	Frankie
Kathleen Ryan	...	Em
Kenneth More	...	Ted
Bernard Lee	...	Constable Chapman
Stephen Fenemore	...	Ron
William Sylvester	...	Len
Marjorie Rhodes	...	Mrs. Stokes
Peter Jones	...	Spiv
Eliot Makeham	...	Pawnbroker
Sidney James	...	Barrow Boy (as Sydney James)
Veronica Hurst	...	Sunday School Teacher
Sandra Dorne	...	Iris
Campbell Singer	...	Potter
Laurie Main	...	Bibulous Customer
Hy Hazell	...	Mary

Storyline

One of two young boys accidentally falls to his death when playing in a bombed-out London neighborhood. Frankie, the survivor feels guilty about his friend's death. Len, a petty thief who has just killed a pub owner during a botched robbery, learns of the accident. He poses as Frankie's friend and blackmails the boy into stealing from his parents to finance Len's escape. When Len decides that Frankie may know enough to connect him with the murder, he decides to silence the boy in a tense "hide and seek" chase through the ruins.

---

Plot Keywords:

1950s | post world war two | post war britain | british police | london england | 

---

Taglines:

It takes you step by step ... fear by fear ... to the shattering heights of Suspense !

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

---

Did You Know?

Goofs

Len rifles the pub cash till without bothering about his fingerprints.

---

Connections

Featured in London: The Modern Babylon (2012)

User Reviews

Very atmoshperic.

An interesting plot and very well acted but Frankie's accent was a bit too posh for the character. I had the pleasure of serving Veronica Hurst, who played the Sunday School teacher, in a shop in South Wimbledon, London in 1973 and she remains the most charming Lady that I have ever met.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 October 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Yellow Balloon

Filming Locations:

Sutton Estate, Cale Street, Chelsea, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC), Marble Arch Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1