Les bicyclettes de Belsize (1968)

An enchanting musical love story about a young man who falls for a model after seeing her picture and then takes to the streets on his bicycle to find her.

Director:

Douglas Hickox

Writers:

Bernie Cooper (story), Francis Megahy (story)

Stars:

Anthony May, Judy Huxtable, Leslie Goddard

Cast

Cast overview:
Anthony May	...	The Boy - Steve
Judy Huxtable	...	The Girl - Julie
Leslie Goddard	...	Little Girl - Kate
Barney Reisz	...	Little Boy (as Barny Reisz)

Storyline

An enchanting musical love story about a young man who falls for a model after seeing her picture and then takes to the streets on his bicycle to find her.

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Plot Keywords:

bicycle | belsize park london | hampstead village london | camden | love at first sight | 

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Genres:

Short

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

December 1968 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Hampstead, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

29 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Did You Know?

Trivia

The eponymous theme song, sung by Anthony May in the film, was a major hit in parallel English and French versions by Englebert Humperdinck and Mireille Mathieu, respectively. Both of their versions of the song were released in 1968, shortly after the film.

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Goofs

Near the end, as the boy and the girl walk out of the trees to the song 'Julie,' the boy is on the left of the girl. As the camera shot changes to a distant one, they emerge having changed sides, without having had time to do so.

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Soundtracks

Les Bicyclettes De Belsize
Written and Performed by Les Reed And His Orchestra
Sung by Johnny Worth

User Reviews

in turn enticed, enchanted and enthralled

I saw this delightful film on first release as the second feature to "Barbarella" in, I think, late 1968. At first, it seemed not to have made too much of an impression and I promptly forgot all about it. Clearly though, something had been lodged in my subconscious, because the next time it was dusted off and aired(on Channel 4 I believe in the 70's) a previously muffled bell rang very loudly and I managed to snatch most of the soundtrack via a portable cassette recorder with its built in rubbish microphone. (This was, after all, before the days of VCRs). That audio tape was played and played to destruction. I realized I had, in turn, been enticed, enchanted and enthralled by the wonderful, simple storyline and the superb Les Reed / Barry Mason songs. I did manage, on the next showing, (again on Channel 4) to make a half decent video recording, which I still have and cherish to this day.

Now.... the results of some research... and I want to absolutely refute the suggestion by my wife that this is an obsession (she was with me in the cinema on first viewing and can't understand what all the fuss is about - how can I tell her that she is my Julie?)...

I spoke to "de Lane Lea" - who are still in business - and they, in turn, put me onto a lovely guy called Louis Elman who worked on the film (although I don't know in what capacity - any info?) and he had fond memories of the production. From his suggestions I tracked down the current copyright holders. They are Canal + Image UK Ltd who are based at Pinewood - they don't have a website, before you rush off to look! - and will provide a video copy from the original film stock for £75 plus Value Added Tax. Telephone (UK) [phone] fax [phone] ask for "Charlie".

More good news - the soundtrack was released in March '69 on LP by Polydor, number 583728. NB IT'S ON THE FLIP SIDE OF TWISTED NERVE. Download it (along with a few others in a compilation) at this site:

http://www.basichip.com/digitalgold/mp3003-06/mp3003-06.htm

It costs $15 or so. I can really recommend it, the quality is terrific. And you get a super image of the original album cover! Check out the FAQ page first:

http://www.basichip.com/digitalgold/faq.htm