The Secret Place (1956) Belinda Lee, Ronald Lewis (full movie)
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- Опубліковано 8 січ 2017
- There are a number of films that simply seem to disappear without trace and one of these in the UK is Clive Donner's directorial debut "The Secret Place", made in 1956 with a strong cast that included Belinda Lee, Ronald Lewis, David McCallum, Michael Gwynn and child actor Michael Brooke. On one level it is a well made film about a jewel heist that inevitable goes wrong, but what makes it more interesting is the sub-plot that involves a lonely teenage boy who gets unwittingly caught up in events through his friendship with Molly (Belinda Lee), girlfriend of one of the gang. Michael Brooke gives an astonishing and moving performance as Freddie, the young boy who is duped into assisting the gang when he believes that he is just doing Mollie a favour. A nail biting climax will have you on the edge of your seat!
This film has been unseen on UK tv for well over 40 years and is one of very few films released by J. Arthur Rank to be in limbo. It has never been officially released on either VHS or dvd, but it was televised on the ABC Network in Australia about 20 years ago, and more recently has been shown on TCM in the USA. It was also finally shown again in the UK early in 2020 by the marvellous Talking Pictures TV.
The record played at the start of the film ("But you" by Jimmy Parkinson) was released on Columbia DB 3876 and is also quite difficult to find. I eventually sourced a copy but it took a long time!
"The Secret Place" is a special film for me because it was one of the earliest films I do recollect seeing on tv, way back in the mid 1960s when BBC (there was no BBC1 or BBC2 then) featured it one Sunday afternoon in their long running "Film Matinee" series. - Фільми й анімація
A movie with no special effects, no fireworks, no swearing, no gratuitous nudity. Just one great movie.
Why?
Belinda Lee (1935-1961) lit the silver screen with her dazzling looks and personality.
Born in Devon she died in a road accident in San Bernardino, her ashes were interred in her beloved Italy.
Can’t believe that this film is not available on DVD. I worked as a milkman in the area in the 1960’s where it was filmed in Bethnal Green and remember how the East Enders back then were the salt of the earth, minus a few gangsters who shall be nameless! Lovely to see old London from that era and wished it had remained like that and speaking of loveliness, how about Belinda Lee?! Shame she was killed in a car crash at the age of 25.
The lengthy & detailed preview makes this more enticing to watch.
Any film with Geoffrey Keen in is ging to be good. Thanks for sharing. Another great film from our glorious era of film making
Geoffrey Keen is legend, never disappoints.
Back when they knew how to make good movies. I really enjoyed this Thank you for uploading 💋
Watched this for Berlinda Lee, what an absolute stunner.
These are just wonderful. My mother was a youngster when this came out. These are proper films, and I’d rather watch these than television, or go to the cinema and watch rubbish. My Grannie always said she could wish she could go back in time, i know things were hard, but there was a community, no swearing, or violence, no gang wars, no shootings, no stabbings, etc. The world is just getting worse.
David McCallum...the Man From Uncle
@@mervyndrage3507 I think McCallum had a James Dean look about him.
Wow, this took me right back to my childhood in the 1950s 60s in a still bombed out Liverpool. I was never involved in a jewellery heist, but certainly remember having a ‘den’, and playing on wasteland in old cars!
This is a really good film, I can't think why it has fallen from sight; excellent story and beautifully acted.
Good stuff is a rarity.
You did it again. Found another great one and you weren't kidding about the nail-biting part. Thanks for sharing. Thanks so much. LL
Thanks a zillion, not only did I discover Belinda Lee, but it put me in mind of London in the 50s. Where have all the flowers gone!
This is the second time I have watched this movie and I enjoyed as much this time as I did the first time. Working with veteran actors, Michael Brook, aged 14, showed what a great actor he was. He not only played the part of Freddy but lived the part of Freddy in this movie. Every facial expression in itself showed this. He passed away in 2014. May he RIP>
Freddy's little brother, looked remarkably like John Hopkins who played Sgt Dan Scott in Midsomer Murders. Does anyone know if it was him?
Accomplished actors, tension impeccably achieved.
Once you could see a film like this in the old Classic cinemas, now it is rare to catch one on BBC in the afternoon. Thanks.
Its played on TALKING PICTURES TV on 82 freeview.
@@chrisrainbow2393 Yes, but not often enough :)
Thank you for posting this. Clive Donner was my mother's cousin and he gave me some advice when I tried to transition from writing novels to screenplays (in the hope of getting my foot in the door of the film industry). Unfortunately soon after that he developed Alzheimer's (exacerbated by fall in which be banged his head) and I felt that he was slipping away at precisely the time I was getting to know him.
It’s good watching these films on you tube saves watching the rubbish on tv no adverts
A wonderfully atmospheric film noir, with sterling performances by all. I now continue my search, for films of this clarity & quality of script.
Bloody brilliant ! Absolutely loved this, my late Mum was born in the East end , she loved to tell us all about her escapades during ww2 with her gang of friends roaming around the bomb sites. I really loved the cheeky kids bartering for the diamond. Thanks so much for your hard work and for posting this.😊
~ Same! My Dad talks about him and his mates playing around the bomb sites. My Dad used to say to us kids when we were playing up, not eating our dinner and the like -- What you kids need is a good war, that will sort you out!
Have a happy 🎃 Halloween,everyone!For;October 31st,2023.
From the moment it started to it's final dumbstruck scene, I couldn't believe how engrossed I was. Riveting in every sense of the word. I highly recommend this movie.
Thank You for making it available here on UA-cam.
Wow, what a great story and well cast, you weren't overegging it at all. These old Brit movies sure are refreshingly good and solid. And it looks like Lord Melbury of Fawlty Towers fame was a scoundrel from way back too :)
Well spotted, I knew I'd seen him somewhere before! ('Well I am Lord Melbury, so I usually just sign my name Melbury....')
The young boy (Michael Brooke) does an amazing job playing such an emotionally complex character. Good movie with a great cast! Thanks for the upload!
London born Michael Brooke had an eventful life, making his film debut at the age of seven years as Kit, the boy on the beach, in “THE MAGNET” in 1950. As an adult, he went to university and studied law and was called to the bar in 1968, becoming a top barrister and later a judge. His greatest achievement, during the 1980s and 1990s, was in obtaining compensation from the National Health Service for over 1000 haemophiliacs who had been treated with blood contaminated with HIV, and later for those infected with Hepatitis C. He died a respected former judge in 2014 at the age of 72.
Watched this again after many years' hiatus - 'bloody brilliant' sums it up! One of my favourite Belinda Lee movies and hope to see more of her on YT - although she really deserves a remastered Collection, IMO. The action here grabs your attention and the ending is right up there with the best Noir chases, including Night and the City, Picadilly Third Stop , and many others. Thanks for posting!
What a great British film.Never seen this one before, but like a lot of old British films that don't get the credit like Hollywood one's, superb acting. thank you so much. really enjoyed this.
Hard to believe that this was never out on DVD. Thanks for posting this excellent 50's movie.
80 years later and it stands out as a gem. Great acting, script, photography and super quality......doesn’t get much better. Thanks for presenting it.
65 years actually.
pdudde
You are obviously no good at maths!
@@redblade8160 ....maybe not, but pdudde is good at puns haha
@@lindsaybrookartsclub3967
You think so?
Thanks for posting,this film had me sitting on the edge of my chair, the child actor was outstanding, I had never seen a young David McCullum , all excellent actors . thank you :)
Thank you for sharing your recollections about this film @eh44returns!
This was a treat, I love these '50s location films. This one had an extra gritty feel. Thanks for a great story.
Thank you for uploading this movie! There are some genuinely suspenseful moments and I thoroughly enjoyed it. UA-cam recommended it to me because of my adoration of David McCallum 😊!
I don't look movies from today. I love old movies.
Me too! Lots of rubbish nowadays!!
Excellent film noir from Britain. I love that era in British films! Great location filming!
Thoroughly enjoyed this film. Have tried to find out more about Michael Brooke, and it seems he gave up acting in favour of law. He was called to the bar in 1968 and became a distinguished and well-regarded barrister and later a judge. His greatest achievement in the late 80s and early 90s was obtaining compensation from the NHS for over 1000 hemophiliacs who had been treated with blood contaminated with HIV. He was born in 1942 and died in 2014.
Good research thank you.
Bloody Hell. A young David McCallum. A great film. How sad that Belinda Lee died so young. Can't help thinking she would have had a long and distinguished career.
The same for Ronald Lewis, he took his own life poor man, absolutely adore him.
@@AZ-nz1ft Ronald would be 93 now, I can't imagine being in a position where I had nowhere to turn, I feel so sad for him.
Gorgeous girl
Belinda had the potential to be has well known as Diana Dors
A very good postwar British film noir...starring a child. Nice acting and good story. Thank you.
I love the old Classic films. great Actors and storylines, Thank You so much for sharing!
OMG, it's Ducky.....64 years ago........amazing!!
Thank you so very much for the upload. I'm sorry that some people are reposting your movies. That is stealing even if they don't think it is. I pray they will remove your work from their sights. Blessings to you.🙏
As always an Excellent English film from this era. Your choice is always super. Thank you so much for introducing me to a Genre of film from a period I wouldn't usually regards as a classic period.Please keep uploading these excellent films.
Thank you Blodwyn, this is one of my favourite films as it so typifies the 1950s besides being a great story. I still hope for a dvd release one day!
'Thick as thieves' has more than one meaning.
Thanks for this super movie mate. Much appreciated.
It must be awful when others take the great films you personally upload under considerable time ..but I will undoubtedly stay subscribed to you and keep an avid interest in the films you, yourself upload rather than watch a copied version that isn't mentioning your name. Thanks for the upload great film yet again ;-)
Watching in June 2020 during Covid.... Can't thank you enough for this lost gem. I love and appreciate your channel and your hard work and time. Thank you, and I hope you're well.❤
Michael Brooke, who played Freddie, was born in 1942 and was around 14 years old when this film was made in the summer of 1956. In later life, he became a famous QC and High Court judge. He died in 2014, aged 72.
Great info, he had an honourable and distinguished career, awarded the Legion D'Honneur by the French and was also keen on trains, so ok in my book! Many thanks for posting.
It's always great to learn little details like this about actors whom you otherwise know very little about, such as Michael Brooke. Thanks for the pointer!
Thank you so much for putting these up! What a great film!
Many thanks for uploading this movie. I wanted to say thank you also for your research. Many appreciate it though not making a comment.
My mother's cousin Clive Donner directed this film. It was the first film he directed and I believe was also the acing debut of David McCallum.
Lovely white and black film. Wish more meowing kitties 🐱 kitty cats were unit or a 🐶 puppy.
Great choice of film with another sense of place and time. A big thank you
Thanks for this one!
Thank you
eh44returns
for uploading this gem. Well directed, great use of locations and a really affecting performance by Michael Brooke. No chance of finding such a great but little known old film on TV these days.
Great movie!!!! Very suspenseful and well-acted. I love these old movies....worth my time to watch these class acts. TY!♥️♥️♥️
The suspense I can't finish watching this all right now, my heart its scary!
1956 was the year I was born. Now 68, retired OAP, now my parents are dead. But remembered trolleybuses at Aldgate in the late 50’s, early 69’s.
thank you ...really enjoyed the film..they dont make them like that anymore
Belinda Lee was an outstanding beauty. Such a pity she died so young
^^^@elly Sheraton .. Ngawweeee did she die young?, oh my what a waste of teke Chur! :P] .v ..
Excellent British "film noir"! Well written, well directed, and well acted! I, too, like the atmospheric setting with bombed-out ruins that look like quite a number of blocks on the West Side of Chicago. Thank you very much for sharing this with us!!!!!
Thanks for Uploading Absolutely Great
Love most of all the old movies 🎥
Thank you so much for this film, my favourite actor Ronald Lewis.
What a great movie! Every twist and turn keeping your attention
It really was ' riveting ' !!!
That cunning black market operation deserves a movie of its own!
Brilliant film; good to see a time when the police actually did something!
Umm, some of us do something now, thank you very much 🙄. I'm watching this movie aren't I?
thank you for posting this beautiful movie. It captures the time era perfectly. I love Belinda Lee and it's tragic she died so young. I'm just happy I could find some of her movies on UA-cam, including this one :)
A quintessential classic.
Rolling the credits at the beginning gets 'em read. The intro song startled me. It's immediate reprise was enjoyable in the opening button up scene.
This was brilliant. Many thanks for sharing.
I really enjoyed watching this , thank you for uploading X
London has changed so much that watching this film feels like watching a city with historic connections to Britain but which is no longer a part of it, like Valetta, or Nicosia or Aden.
Superb direction of a boy with a tender crush on a young woman who is not what she appears (is involved with jewel thieves). She ends up making a difficult choice. Stark and powerful scenes
Great upload for a rainy afternoon, I totally enjoyed watchibg it. Thank you!!
Hard to believe those good movies back then were common. Look at the trash now. No comparison
too true ..and well said
Adolf Mussolini Plus you don’t hear the F word every other second.
@@shananalexander9789 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Brilliant, love these type of films. 😊
Nice upload 👍🏾
Watching this now. I'll let you know if I liked it! Thanks!
Awesome movie. We used to get plenty of old British movies on the ABC
Many thanks for posting. A really well acted thriller.
Thank you! Beautiful film!
This is a great 🎥 film!And,it’s from;1956,the year my older sister was born.They used to make all kind’s of great 👍 film’s in those days….now a days,not so much!
Very sad that Brenda Lee died so young in a car crash.
Thanks so much! This really rocks....I love it..
Excellent film. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Really good thank you
NOT BAD!!!!!!! THANKS UPLOADER!!!!!!
Enjoyed watching this film.Thaks for uploading.
This was a really good movie, indeed worth watching.
Its true Belinda Lee had a tragic career, but Wow, what a looker ! My favourite Brit female star of the Fifties.
Super!!! thanks
Very moving performance by Michael Brooke. Superb film
Couldn't agree more with you about Michael Brooke's performance, what a superb young actor he was. This was in fact his last film appearance, he went on to become a hugely successful and well respected lawyer. Had he made acting his career, there is little doubt that he would have made a lot of success in that too.
Yes, I found out about his legal career after reading his bio. I must say that he had more than a passing reference to my own son in this film, which probably increased the interest for me. I also note that Michael passed away in 2014 - on my own birthday no less!
Enjoyed! Thank You
Loved it thank you!
Wonderful time spent. Oh, what a woman, B. Lee!
Great quality. David McCollum, or when I was a kid, Elea Kureakum.. The man from Uncle. Thk.you
Very good, thank you very much. Haunting location shooting.
Thanks a lot!!!!!
Enjoyed this movie well worth a watch. Belinda Lee was supposed to be the new Diana Dors. She was was way more beautiful sad she died so young.
David McCallum outlived just about everyone associated with this movie.
Wendy Craig aside, was there not a Morris 8 (1938?) drop head and the rear of a MkV Jag at the robbery site? One of the pleasures of these old B/W 'B' movies is spotting old cars in the streets where they originated. I remember Miss Lee as the object of many a schoolboys desire when at Prep school in the 50's. That part of the film was spot on!
Always interesting to see the old cars. my dad had a Morris like in the last scenes of the movie, no telling if it was the "Oxford" or the "Cowley" model - they both looked the same. My dads' was the Cowley, I learnt to drive on it. It was a gutless thing.
Solid cars though. Half of India seems to be running round on replicas.
I love this one [too], thanks for posting.
Thank you, it's a special film for me too.
Isn't the actor who plays Steve from Fawlty Towers, the con man who says to Basil he's nobility? Lord Melbury lol 😂😂😂
Well-spotted. Michael Gwynn, in the episode called 'A Touch of Class'.
Good catch! I had to go back and check it out.
thanks for uploading this film,enjoyed watching,.
I was ten years old then,so took me back to my childhood in Salford,apart from the accent not much difference really.
plenty of bombed or derelict houses,young kids playing out.
William Whizz~ My Dad talks of the same. Playing in old bomb sites after school. Hard to imagine it. I'm going to show him this movie.
Very cool ! As I have 3 wind-up phonographs and likely a thousand 78s, it was a bit disturbing to see the lad bust up his jewel-bearing gramophone ! Oh well ! They roll cars off cliffs into the sea to make movies too ! Keep 'em coming !
Sadly at the time this was made vast quantities of 78s (and gramophones!) were being dumped by their owners as 45's and LP's started to take over. Don't even think about it (or the huge number of records that were collected for salvidge during WW2). In the 1960s every jumble sale ususally had 100's of 78's and a choice of gramophones to play them on!
When I was in high school one of the attractions at the school fair was an opportunity to throw baseballs at 78s rolling down a ramp and folks would throw them like a Frisbee for target practice -
@@eh44returns97 Your comment about 78s & gramophones brought back bittersweet memories of discovering an eclectic collection of 78s & some early LPs in the cellar of my parents' house... early recordings of Enrico Caruso, George Gershwin, Irish tenor John McCormack, blues guitarist Josh White, Hungarian gypsy music, Bohemian Czech composer Antonin Dvorak, a capella barbershop quartet singing, & an obscure album of comic bawdy songs... Sadly, my mother deemed it all junk & clutter & sold them at a yard sale for a pittance (along with other collections of Hummel figurines & my grandmother's Waterford crystal)... It's sad to think about; but I remind myself that it's just stuff. In the end, you can't take it with you. I'm grateful for having had the music and countless hours of enjoyment it provided. As do I enjoy your channel--not only the vintage movies, but the thoughtful, intelligent comments/info from fellow fans. Much appreciated. (-:
Thrilling! thanks so much!