Smashing Time (1967)

Two young women arrive in London to make it big in show business, and become corrupted by money and fame in the process.

Director:

Desmond Davis

Writer:

George Melly

Stars:

Rita Tushingham, Lynn Redgrave, Michael York

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rita Tushingham	...	Brenda
Lynn Redgrave	...	Yvonne
Michael York	...	Tom Wabe
Anna Quayle	...	Charlotte Brillig
Irene Handl	...	Mrs. Gimble
Ian Carmichael	...	Bobby Mome-Rath
Jeremy Lloyd	...	Jeremy Tove
Toni Palmer	...	Toni
George A. Cooper	...	Irishman
Peter Jones	...	Dominic
Arthur Mullard	...	Cafe Boss
Ronnie Stevens	...	1st Waiter
John Clive	...	Sweeney Todd manager
Mike Lennox	...	Disc Jockey
Sydney Bromley	...	Tramp

Storyline

Two young women from England's northern counties; the plain Brenda and the flamboyant Yvonne, arrive in London to find fame and fortune. Misdirected and separated, they strike out on their own with Yvonne becoming a model and Brenda a waitress. After Brenda sabotages Yvonne's date whom takes advantage of her, they lose their jobs and soon the roles are reversed with Brenda succeeding as a model and Yvonne becoming a waitress. With both of them competing with the other, they soon learn that they have to team up to take on their adversaries in order to succeed.

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Plot Keywords:

cafe | photographer | swinging london | pop star | carnaby street | 

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Taglines:

Two Girls Go Stark Mod!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Before filming Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), Michael York advised Mike Myers to watch Smashing Time (1967) to get a feel for the Swinging Sixties.

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Goofs

Moments after Brenda has fallen into a mud puddle twice, her clothes are clean and dry.

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Quotes

Brenda: I'm glad I'm just a pussy!

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Connections

References The Battle of the Century (1927)

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Soundtracks

New Clothes
Music by John Addison
Lyrics by George Melly
Performed by Rita Tushingham

User Reviews

enjoyable Sixties amusement

'Smashing time' is a well-made English comedy, set in the famous Swinging London of the mid-Sixties. And shot in the same city in the same period, adding extra authenticity.

This film is just fun, without any pretense. The hilarious interaction between Rita Tushingham and Lynn Redgrave, successfully coupled as girlfriends, makes it work. Some of its scenes are clearly inspired by Laurel and Hardy.

'Girlfriends', I said. This friendship between the two heterosexual female leads is devoid of any sex. Such a formula wouldn't probably sell today, but back in the Sixties it did. A friendship of this kind makes this film's core.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 January 1968 (UK)

Also Known As:

2 Anglaises en délire

Filming Locations:

Regent's Canal, Islington, London, England, UK

Box Office

Gross USA:

$632,200

Company Credits

Production Co:

Partisan Productions, Selmur Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1