Rent Expresso Bongo (1959)

Curious period piece - Expresso Bongo review by RP

'Expresso Bongo' was originally a stage play, a satire on the music business. In this 1959 film version some elements of satire remain, but are overshadowed by an attempt to provide a vehicle for the talents of Cliff Richard.

Although somewhat overlooked today, Cliff is the most successful British pop artist with more Top 20 records to his name than anyone else - and he's been going for 5 decades, so he must have some talents. Unfortunately, those aren't on show here. Yes, he does get to croon a couple of numbers, more in the style of Ricky Nelson than in the 'British Elvis' rock 'n roll style by which he first came to fame, although he does curl his lip in the approved manner of the day. His acting is awful - and he just generally seems out of place,

As far as the music goes, the best is from Cliff's backing group 'The Drifters' (pre-Shadows). But the film isn't about music, it's about the music business and the squalid and dirty deals of small time agent Johnny Jackson (Lawrence Harvey) and music promoter Mayer (Meier Tzelniker). Lawrence Harvey is an actor that I can't usually stand - but his acting (and his jiving!) here was a eye-opener for me. Harvey is excellent and despite his dodgy accent which ranges from Jewish to South African via Cockney (despite his English sounding name he was Lithuanian via S Africa) his role is very well played, as is that of Meier Tzelniker.

There are some very peculiar things about this film. Why do the 'teenagers' look so old? Did they really go wild for such timid music back in the 1950s? And go wild in a coffee bar of all places? (Yes, I know that the reputed birthplace of British rock 'n roll was the 2i's Coffee Bar in Soho - I just don't understand it). Why is there a bongo player in a rock 'n roll band? And 'Bongo Herbert' - is that a name to set kids on fire? Why is the strip show so tame? (Well, I guess the film was mildy risqué for its day - and it was cut to get an 'A' certificate). Why was Sylvia Sims cast against type as a stripper - and why is her accent so posh? Why does Susan Hampshire get an uncredited role as an upper class twit? In fact, the screen is littered with well known actors - have fun spotting them!

The film is a very curious period piece and worth watching for that reason, but unfortunately not for Cliff's performance. 3/5 stars.

Soho Musical. - Expresso Bongo review by Steve

For an hour, this adaptation of Wolf Mankowitz's stage production about the showbiz promoters of Soho shapes up as one of Britain's greatest film musicals. There is an impression that Mankowitz, and director Val Guest knew the seedier pavements of the West End pretty well. This is enormous fun.

And the film benefits from a crazy, out of control performance from Laurence Harvey as a personal manager of uncertain integrity and reliability. And accent. He discovers a coffee bar teenager ripe for exploitation by the cynical London music machine. Cliff Richard brings some chubby star quality into the spotlight as the surly young rocker.

This is easily Harvey's most likeable screen performance, and the problem with the later part of the film is his character spends time off screen and the energy is lost. The songs are variable, with the numbers from the theatrical version generally strong, and those added to showcase Cliff's real life chart pedigree, not so hot.

Still, in places it is extraordinarily good, particularly the fast, funny, motormouth script and the portrait of the sleazy bright lights of fifties Soho: the strip club worked by Harvey's rainy day girlfriend (Sylvia Syms); and the the cappuccino shops where the beatniks hang out. It's a fabulous period memento, topped by Harvey's garrulous performance.