Linda

BFI Most Wanted: the hunt for Britain's missing films

Directed by Don Sharp, 1960

Teenage drama featuring Carol White, in which a young couple escape boredom and crime and find true love.

Phil (Alan Rothwell) and Linda (Carol White) take off to Brighton.

Credits

Director Production Company Producers Screenplay Photography Music	Don Sharp Independent Artists Julian Wintle and Leslie Parkyn William "Bill" MacIlwraith Michael Reed Garry Hughes
Cast: Carol White (Linda); Alan Rothwell (Phil); Cavan Malone (Chief); Edward Cast (Vicar); Vivienne Lacey (Rosie); Lois Dane (Clara).
61 mins, 5,495 ft, sound, black & white

Why are we so keen to find it?

This curio is of interest as an early role for Carol White, and to see how Britain portrays 'teen-agers' at the start of the 1960s. Location work in Brighton and at Battersea Fun Fair will be of nostalgic interest, and if it could be seen now, its importance might be re-assessed. Director Don Sharp is perhaps better known for his horror work though he is also associated with one or two 'youth' films and with cult television.

What's it about?

Bored with life, Phil joins the Chief's gang, but when he meets Linda tottering on her high heels, his interest re-focuses on her. He takes her to Brighton on his scooter, but on the way back he makes a pass and she puts him in his place. When the gang want to defend 'their' territory, the local café, they need to call on all their number, and the reluctant Phil is tricked into believing Linda is going out with someone else, and agrees to join in. Phil does discover the truth and quits the gang for good, and others follow his lead, urged by the local 'trendy' vicar, leaving the Chief to fight his own battles. Phil and Linda contemplate marriage.

Last seen?

The film was trade shown on 11 November 1960, and was on release in January 1961 where it was shown as part of a double bill with Saturday Night and Sunday Morning.

What else do we know about it?

The film appears to have garnered mixed reviews, but may have helped Carol White's career playing young working class women, and the production team contained a number of significant British people. The theme song 'Linda' was recorded by Michael Cox and produced by Joe Meek, and is available on a compilation CD as well as a demo version existing on YouTube.

Does anything survive?

Although the film is not known to survive, there are stills available, and a dialogue script, which includes the lyrics of the theme song, is held by the BFI. There is also a press-sheet with full cast and credits.

Reviews

Reviews were mixed but not without positive elements. The Cinema Exhibitors' Association Report of 18 November 1960 said: "This is an unpretentious but amusing little film which combines action with humour and even some charm. It is a teenage story treated so as to appeal as much, if not more, to adult audiences as teenagers. Settings include coffee bar, funfair, church hall, London and Brighton".

Conversely, McCarthy, November 1960, complained that "The author of this story would seem to be afraid of his subject. He steers a middle course which is neither one thing nor the other... Carol White does her best to look the part of a young tart-type, and Alan Rothwell is dressed for the part, but neither make much of an impression, and Cavan Malone is right off the beat as a tough guy. A trip on a scooter to Brighton provides a welcome break from cheap and far from cheerful interior sets".

David Sharp, Head Librarian, BFI National Library

You can find more about British films of the early 1960s, including entries on surviving films and video clips for users in UK schools, colleges, universities and public libraries, at BFI Screenonline. You can also view similar titles at the BFI Mediatheques.