St. Martin's Lane main backdrop
St. Martin's Lane main poster

St. Martin's Lane

Visit website

7.1/10 • 23

1938-10-181h 25m

ComedyDrama

A Heart-Stirring Drama of Peace-Time London!

On the sidewalks of the London theater district the buskers (street performers) earn enough coins for a cheap room. Charles, who recites dramatic monologues, sees that a young pickpocket, Libby, also has a talent for dancing and adds her to his act. Harley, the theater patron who never knew Libby took his gold cigarette case, is impressed by Libby's dancing and invites her to bring Charles and the other buskers in his group to an after-the-play party. Libby comes alone. A theatrical career is launched.

Directors
Tim Whelan
Writters
Clemence Dane
Editors
Clemence Dane, Hugh Stewart

Top Billed Cast

View Credits
  1. Charles Laughton

    Charles Laughton

    Charles Staggers

  2. Vivien Leigh

    Vivien Leigh

    Liberty

  3. Rex Harrison

    Rex Harrison

    Harley Prentiss

  4. Larry Adler

    Larry Adler

    Constantine Dan

  5. Tyrone Guthrie

    Tyrone Guthrie

    Gentry

  6. Maire O'Neill

    Maire O'Neill

    Mrs. Such

  7. Gus McNaughton

    Gus McNaughton

    Arthur Smith

  8. Polly Ward

    Polly Ward

    Frankie

  9. Basil Gill

    Basil Gill

    Magistrate

Reviews1

View Reviews
CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Jun 20, 2022

7/10

There's quite a lot of depth to this tale of London's theatre-land buskers just as their importance started to wain. Charles Laughton ("Charlie") scratches a living reciting Kipling to those waiting in queues for theatres and cinemas when he encounters Vivien Leigh ("Liberty") who dances, mimics and picks pockets for a living. She has attracted the attentions of impresario Rex Harrison ("Harley") who sees some potential in the young girl and her career is launched! There's a bit of an unlikely love story between Laughton and Leigh, and as the latter's star rises - the relationship is tested. The characterisations from Laughton are funny and decent; Leigh shows clearly what made her a star and Harrison also brings a certain class to the proceedings. It's also an interesting observation of just how the whole street entertainer culture offered everything from eloquent poetry and vibrant dancing to roast chestnuts and petty larceny as recently as the 1930s. It's rarely seen nowadays, but if you get an opportunity then this is certainly a film that belies it's low-key status with some good writing; characterful performances, laughs and gentle pathos.

Media

  • St. Martin's Lane poster
  • St. Martin's Lane poster
  • St. Martin's Lane poster
  • St. Martin's Lane poster
  • St. Martin's Lane poster

Recommendations

  • Rage at Dawn main backdrop

    Rage at Dawn

    6.1

  • The Citadel main backdrop

    The Citadel

    6.3

  • Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero main backdrop

    Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

    7.9

  • Parasite main backdrop

    Parasite

    8.5

  • Avatar: The Way of Water main backdrop

    Avatar: The Way of Water

    7.6

  • Old main backdrop

    Old

    6.3

  • Marriage Story main backdrop

    Marriage Story

    7.7

  • Frozen II main backdrop

    Frozen II

    7.2

  • A Quiet Place main backdrop

    A Quiet Place

    7.4

  • Titanic main backdrop

    Titanic

    7.9

  • Joker main backdrop

    Joker

    8.1

  • Army of the Dead main backdrop

    Army of the Dead

    6.2

  • Avengers: Endgame main backdrop

    Avengers: Endgame

    8.2

  • Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse main backdrop

    Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

    8.3

  • Mulan main backdrop

    Mulan

    6.9

  • Oppenheimer main backdrop

    Oppenheimer

    8.1

  • Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts main backdrop

    Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts

    7.3

  • Rear Window main backdrop

    Rear Window

    8.4

  • Green Book main backdrop

    Green Book

    8.2

  • Alien main backdrop

    Alien

    8.2

Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
pickpocketfriendslondon theater districtstreet performersbuskers