This was the feature film debut of then child model and commercial actress Tracy Hyde at the age of 11. Because of its enormous success in Japan, the film has been mastered in Region 2 format on DVD by Kadokawa Herald Pictures in Japan. Parker did some second-unit direction for the film, shooting the montage sequences of the school children at break-time and at the track meet. This was the first screenplay by film director Alan Parker. The film's musical soundtrack included songs by the Bee Gees (" In the Morning", " Melody Fair", " Give Your Best", and the hit singles " To Love Somebody" and " First of May"), and the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young hit " Teach Your Children". Other cast members included Kate Williams as Melody's mother, Roy Kinnear as her father, Sheila Steafel as Daniel's mother, with Ken Jones, and James Cossins. They were joined by the child model Tracy Hyde in the title role. Mark Lester (Daniel Latimer) and Jack Wild (Ornshaw) had previously appeared together in the 1968 musical film adaptation of Oliver!. The seaside scenes in the latter part of the film were shot in Weymouth, Dorset. The graveyard scenes of the film were shot on location at Brompton Cemetery and Nunhead Cemetery. Post-production was completed at the Twickenham Studios. Neil Hallett as (Television Film) Man in Hospitalįilm production began in the Spring of 1970 shooting on location in Hammersmith, and Lambeth in the greater London area.Tracy Reed as (Television Film) Woman in Hospital.Their classmates gather together at one of the children's hideouts to 'marry' the couple, with their discovery leading to a final showdown between children and teachers. The adults attempt to dissuade them, but Daniel's and Melody's determination leads Ornshaw to have a change of heart. Initially embarrassed by the attention, Melody comes to return Daniel's feelings, and the couple announce to their parents that they want to get married. However, when Daniel falls in love with Melody Perkins ( Tracy Hyde), the boys' friendship becomes jeopardized as Ornshaw grows jealous of the amount of time that Daniel gives her. Daniel Latimer ( Mark Lester) befriends the troublesome Ornshaw ( Jack Wild). One last snippet : in 1968 Robin Gibb was involved in the Hither Green rail disaster which happened about three miles away.This romantic story is told through the viewpoint of the children in the story, the adults playing only supporting roles. Nunhead at the time of the film despite becoming the home of the Trotters in 'Fools and Horse' was a very run down primarily white working class area, its now of cause very much Guardian reader territory.īack to the black magic: An old work colleague of mine who's large family lived not far from the cemetery said as a kid her and her siblings on some nights could hear the chanting.Īny on to 'enchanting' as the main song for the film written by the Bee Gees was the 'First of May', A beautiful song that will never fade. It was so bad around the time of the filming and after in the early mid seventies that black magic ceremonies and theft of the lead from the coffins in the two under ground crypts had eventually cause a local uproar and Southwark council was forced to intervene and pick up the tab for cleaning up and restoration of some sorts. When the filming took place Nunhead cemetery due to financial problems had long been closed and in a very dilapidated state. It was mainly filmed in Nunhead cemetery which was the sister cemetery of Highgate where Mark was interned. The kids are meant to be the stars, but for me it's the locations and the brilliant cast of adult character actors that makes it: Roy Kinnear, Sheila Steafel, Ken Jones, James Cossins, Keith Barron, Kate Williams, and John Gorman (of 'Tiswas' and Scaffold fame).Ī winsome sunshine-pop soundtrack by the Bee Gees is an added attraction for some, as is the featured Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young song, 'Teach Your Children'.Īpparently it was a big hit in Japan and South America, which explains why the versions you can check out on YouTube are mostly subtitled for those markets. Starring Jack Wild and Mark Lester, recapping their cocky urchin and sensitive angel roles from 'Oliver!' (1968), 'Melody' is a London-set puppy-love tale blending gritty urban locations with a lyrical, sun-dappled childhood innocence, written by Alan Parker and directed by Waris Hussein. He cites it as one of the major influences on his new film 'Moonrise Kingdom'. I wasn't aware of this film until I was working on an interview with American director Wes Anderson.