St. Martin's Lane

St. Martin's Lane is a prolific movie, a British drama directed by Tim Whelan that saw its first release in the UK in 1938 and an American release under the title 'Sidewalks of London' in 1940. The film revolves around the world of street performers in St. Martin’s Lane, a major street in Central London bordering some of the city's celebrated attractions like the National Portrait Gallery and the London Coliseum.

The refined and seasoned Charles Laughton plays the central role of Charles Staggers, a delightful character deeply ingrained in the enchanting world of street performance. He is a street busker by profession, performing music and sketches with his crew hoping to catch the eye of passersby while trying to earn a living day by day.

The story traces a fascinating trail that begins when the ebullient Staggers meets the petty thief Liberty, played by the charismatic Vivien Leigh. Liberty is a versatile character with aspirations of grandeur, who we see running small cons at cafes in the early part of the story. Against the advice of his loyal confidante and fellow busker Arthur, portrayed by Tyrone Guthrie, Charles takes Liberty under his wing. Staggers teaches her the rules and secrets of successful busking from his many years of experience performing on the streets of London. He guides her through the bustle of the city, the nuances of the crowd, and the art of selling a performance from a man's hat to the grand cobbled floors of the streets.

As the plot unfolds, their partnership evolves into a metallically charged companionship, both bonding over a shared love for the performing arts. However, the frivolity and camaraderie of their street performances unexpectedly changes when they encounter Harley Prentiss. Prentiss is an ambitious, rich, and charming song composer essayed by the debonair Rex Harrison in one of his earlier roles. The addition of this character adds a new dynamic and begins a twist-filled journey that starts to test their relationships.

The essence of the film lies in the richly layered relationships that oscillate between camaraderie, love, and betrayal. St. Martin's Lane remarkably captures the life of street performers, their trials and tribulations, their dreams, hopes, and aspirations. It paints an excellent backdrop of the 30s era of London, while beautifully blending elements of conflict, hope, ambition, and heartbreak.

Behind its riveting story, St. Martin’s Lane also presents brilliant acting performances. Charles Laughton, with his compelling screen presence and unparalleled command over the character, delivers an excellent portrayal of Charles Staggers. Vivien Leigh, in one of her early roles before her career-defining Scarlet O’Hara in “Gone With The Wind,” undeniably proves her mettle as an actress. Leigh's Liberty is both charming and cunning - a masterful portrayal characterized by ambition, strength, and an unnerving will to make it big. Her chemistry with Laughton is remarkable; together they bring to life the captivating world of street artistes. Rex Harrison, in one of his significant early career roles, ensures an engaging screen presence with his portrayal of the headstrong and ambitious Harley Prentiss.

The supporting characters, including Tyrone Guthrie's Arthur, add further depth to the narrative. The chemistry and interaction between the lead characters, both on and off-stage, are expertly crafted and ignite the screen with their raw dynamics.

St. Martin's Lane offers a captivating canvas enveloped in the riveting world of street performances. With all its compelling elements of drama, aspiration, love, and betrayal painted against the backdrop of 1930s London, it never loses its core essence - providing a soul-stirring depiction of the lives, hopes, and dreams of street buskers and the world they inhabit.

Its keen depiction of the hopes, dreams, resilience, and struggles of its characters imparts an undeniable charm to the narrative, making it an engaging watch for fans of classic cinema. This film is a true gem from 1938, showcasing the rich history of British cinema with a storyline that still resonates today.