Kid for Two Farthings, A
Date: 1955
Director: Carol Reed
Production Company: London Film Productions
Stars: Celia Johnson, Diana Dors, David Kossoff, Joe Robinson, Jonathan Ashmore, Brenda de Banzie, Primo Carnera, Lou Jacobi, Irene Handl, Danny Green, Sydney Tafler, Sidney James, Vera Day, Daphne Anderson, Joseph Tomelty
Location(s): London
Region(s): London H-L
Storyline:
Joe, a young boy lives with his mother in London’s working class east end above the tailor shop of Mr. Kandinsky who likes to tell Joe stories. One day he tells Joe that a unicorn can grant wishes and Joe ends up buying a baby goat with one small horn believing it to be a real unicorn. Despite his rough and poor surroundings he sets out to prove that wishes can come true, to improve the lives of himself and his mother and grant Mr. Kandinsky his longed for steam powered trouser press.
Additional Information:
Originally uploaded in 2010 when our screen capture criteria was different than today, it became apparent that the film needed to be re-visited when Valerie Hammond, with strong associations to the filming location, questioned and expanded upon our previous listing. In consequence, we thank her for the enthusiastic support, information and involvement with this revised presentation uploaded by Richard Lovejoy.
Val’s memories of life in ‘Petticoat Lane’ and events during filming can be read here.
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If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.
We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
- 13 Mar 2021
Throughout the title and credits various scenes of London are shown. Trafalgar Square, London WC2
General Havelock still stands. SJ
- Capture 2
- 13 Mar 2021
Naturally followed by Nelson, and in those days a pigeon.
And Nelson still towers over Havelock. SJ
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
Strand, London WC2 and St Mary Le Strand Church center.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
St. Paul’s Cathedral, London EC4
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
Where are these ladies? Real or props? The pigeon is real.
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
Here we move to Middlesex Street, London E1, commonly referred to as ‘Petticoat Lane’ as the sign right of center acknowledges. Actually known as ‘Peticote Lane’ prior to around 1830 due to the predominance of old clothes sellers it was renamed after complaints that it was unseemly to name a street after an undergarment. Seen here from the junction with Aldgate High Street, ‘Essex’ public house on the corner left, the white building further back being Industry House. To the right behind the market is the rear of ‘Brunswick Buildings’ on New Goulston Street.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
We appear to switch back to the St. Paul’s area again despite the over sound of 'The Lane'. It would seem that this is a matt shot as it appears again later in the film as a view from Wentworth Street, London E1.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
Joe (Jonathan Ashmore) emerges from under a barrow to stare a the birds for sale there. Initially proposed as Cobb Street, London E1 at the junction with Bell Lane, by Roland-François Lack. ‘Cheskin’ being at 7 Bell Lane. Confirmed by Mike Cheskin, who lived in Brick Lane, Bethnal Green as a child and who’s relative was the owner of the shop.
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
He wanders over to take a closer look at some caged birds. Looking south along Bell Lane with the butcher ‘L Frankel’ at 30 Wentworth Street on the corner top left of the capture and 'Cheskin' at 7 Bell Lane top right.
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
A close up of Joe gripping the bars, viewed from within the cage, is a way of cutting to him being driven away by the stall holder and the establishment of a new location, looking up…….. Wentworth Street, established in later captures.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
……..at the unicorn seen in Capture 7, now with a pigeon on his horn, together with St. Paul’s Cathedral in the background. Wentworth Street.
- Capture 12
- 14 Jul 2023
When we view the scene looking down we have a confirmed Wentworth Street with the oranges and lemons (?) stall virtually outside Gecel Laufer, Bedding Merchant, at number 57. The fictitious Unicorn at the mouth of Old Castle Street.
The scene today with roadworks underway. (SR)
- Capture 13
- 14 Jul 2023
The pigeon flies down and Joe tries to catch it, as they go off screen a cut to Joe in a new location about to make a lunge, supposedly towards the bird. Christopher Matheson identifies the location as Cobb Street looking across Leyden Street to the corner property No 9 Leyden Street, now Leyden Gallery. There is no record of a Jackson’s Corner (store) so it looks as though the location was ‘dressed’.
Roadworks currently adorn this corner counterbalancing the grafitti. (SR)
- Capture 14
- 20 Jan 2013
We next see Joe and the pigeon together once more. Cobb Street looking towards Bell Lane again.
Yes exactly, look at the overhang of the shop doorway, on the left, and the two pillars of Lewis and Co.
- Capture 15
- 14 Jul 2023
On his route following behind the pigeon he passes Lewis & Co at 22 Cobb Street and a Torah-reading Rabbi pushing a horn gramophone who appears a number of time in the film.
The site is now occupied by Sheraton Textiles. (SR)
- Capture 16
- 08 Jul 2010
Two very short cut scenes of them both lead us to Joe’s next attempt to pick the bird up. Wentworth Street at its junction with Toynbee Street and ‘M Marks & Sons’ Provision Merchants on the corner. Kim Rennie advised that M Marks & Son were indeed at 59 Wentworth Street.
Another angle of Wentworth and Toynbee Streets, E1, look at the blank wall on the right.
- Capture 17
- 06 Nov 2012
He almost succeeds. Confirmation, if needed, of the location. Wentworth Street looking across to Toynbee Street. Other lengths of Wentworth Street feature in ‘It Always Rains on Sunday’, ‘A Kid for Two Farthings’, ‘The Informers’ and ‘Sparrows Can't Sing’.
59 Wentworth St, changed again since 2010 Sent in by Richard Lovejoy
- Capture 18
- 14 Jul 2023
Another attempt fails and the bird flies off once again. Looking south on Goulston Street and Wentworth Dwellings.
The market still up and running here. (SR)
- Capture 19
- 'Now' required
The bird settles on some railings but flies off just as Joe arrives. Opposite 35 Wentworth Street. The railing are the rear entrance to Wentworth Dwellings.
- Capture 20
- 'Now' required
Sam Heppner (Joe Robinson) gives Joe a piggyback as On his way he passes ‘Madam Rita’ (Sidney Tafler) and asks if he can spare Sonia (Diana Dors) who is working in the back of he shop. A fairly obvious set.
- Capture 21
- 14 Jul 2023
As she comes out to talk to him, Sam and Joe appears to be back on location. Wentworth Street looking east (Circa No 42) and ‘Madam Rita’ supposedly out of shot to the right.
46-42 Wentworth Street and clothing rails. (SR)
- Capture 22
- 08 Jul 2010
Having seen Sam come off ‘not too well’ in a practice ring with Python Macklin (Primo Carnera) Joe rushes off home. Wentworth Street from Toynbee Street.
Yes, Wentworth St, E1.
- Capture 23
- 14 Jul 2023
His journey continues, but now running in the opposite direction on the other side of the road. The mouth of Leyden Street slight right of top center.
Skyscrapers now loom in the background. (SR)
- Capture 24
- 14 Jul 2023
After talking to Joe about life and unicorns, Avrom Kandinsky (David Kossoff) gives him money to go and buy a dog. He wanders the market eating a water melon. 37 and 39 Wentworth Street in the background.
Taken slightly off angle, having been distracted by the roadworks and the spelling. (SR)
- Capture 25
- 14 Jul 2023
He stops to look at fish near to the Indian perfume seller (Spike Milligan). Leyden Street looking across to 24 and 22 Wentworth Street.
The Gentlemen's sign remains in place, but for how long? (SR)
- Capture 26
- 17 Apr 2013
Joe tells ‘Alf the Bird Man’ (Alfie Bass) that he is going to buy a unicorn and turns to walk away. I Goldberg & Sons were at Mackintosh House, 5 & 6 Goulston Street'. Goulston Street, London E1 on the corner to New Goulston Street
And found by Richard Lovejoy who adds Goulston Street, London E1 on the corner to New Goulston Street. Still as vibrant today. I Goldberg & Sons were at Mackintosh House, 5 & 6 Goulston Street'.
- Capture 27
- 'Now' required
Goulston Street, London E1 looking north from the corner to New Goulston Street.
- Capture 28
- 'Now' required
Before encountering the ‘Dog Man’ (Edward Malin). Identified as Vallence Road, London E1 by Aidan McManus
- Capture 29
- 'Now' required
The ‘Dog Man’ moves away and both Joe and we see the ‘unicorn’.
- Capture 30
- 08 Jul 2010
"It's a unicorn" says Joe, "That's right" says the vagrant (Joseph Tomelty). Vallence Road, London E1 looking north east.
Look at the brickwork, rebuilt since the signal box was ripped out and in?
- Capture 31
- 08 Jul 2010
“How much is he?” Joe asks.
...you can see the tops of the arches. Pics and titles from Aiden McManus, well spotted.
- Capture 32
- 08 Jul 2010
“I'll give you two shillings.”
The curve of the houses and the lamp post is still there albeit changed. Convincing evidence from Aiden.
- Capture 33
- 08 Jul 2010
“I’ve got three and nine pence.”
I've used the film makers tactics here, the corresponding area in Vallance Rd has changed but the next street over has an identical bridge and the gates are still similar. Aiden states, with good reason.
- Capture 34
- 08 Jul 2010
For three and nine pence` halfpenny and six shiny Chinese coins he secures a deal.
New flats but look at the curve. Aiden again.
- Capture 35
- 'Now' required
“What are you going to do with him?” Looking south on Vallance Road.
- Capture 36
- 08 Jul 2010
“I’ve got a unicorn!” But he hasn’t, it has slipped its lead. Looking north on Vallance Road.
Check the roof girders and curve. Excellent work, pics and text from Aidan.
- Capture 37
- 'Now' required
Joe watches as the ‘unicorn’ heads south on Vallance Road…..
- Capture 38
- 'Now' required
….and is startled to see him on a market stall helping itself to anything that is available to eat. Spital Square, Spitalfields, East London, says Phil, the Bakelite Kid. The white warehouse building (top right) can be seen in 'Britain from Above' EAW011141
- Capture 39
- 'Now' required
‘Helped’ down off the stall the chase is on and Joe finds himself in Wentworth Street once more looking towards Toynbee Street and the other side of M. Marks & Sons seen in Capture 16
- Capture 40
- 'Now' required
The chase continues......... Wentworth Street looking east with Toynbee Street first left, hidden behind the stall holder.
- Capture 41
- 08 Jul 2010
......on and on...... Looking south to Goulston Street at the crossroads with Wentworth Street. L. Frankel, butchers, 30 Wentworth Street, London E1 as advised by Roland-François Lack.
Corner of Wentworth and Goulston Streets E1.
- Capture 42
- 'Now' required
.....and further on...... Bell Lane looking south over Wentworth Street to Goulston Street.
- Capture 43
- 'Now' required
Finally Joe retrieves the ‘unicorn’ and returns home. Note the Torah-reading Rabbi once again. Looking east on Wentworth Street from about the junction with Bell Lane.
- Capture 44
- 06 Nov 2012
With a forthcoming match Sam goes to buy a ring for Sonia but gets waylaid by Iceberg (Sid James) for sells him one for £4. Tailor 'Bilgorri' was at 72 Middlesex Street on the corner of Wentworth Street.
The two window cills and the angled shop facia on the corner would suggest it was genuine. (RL)
- Capture 45
- 'Now' required
Sam has a to earn money so that he and Sonia can afford to get married and Joe wants to watch Sam in a wrestling match. This looks like a genuine location.
- Capture 46
- 'Now' required
After winning the bout against Bully Bason (Danny Green) they can, on another day, be seen training together. Wentworth Street looking west with Goulston Street off behind the runners.
- Capture 47
- 'Now' required
Joe sees a new laundry press being delivered to Madam Rita and secures the right to first refusal on the old machine as he heads back home to see Mr Kandinsky. Wentworth Street looking towards Middlesex Street with Goulston Street off to the left.
- Capture 48
- 08 Jul 2010
Mr Kandinsky follows Joe to Madam Rita’s to negotiate the purchase.
Wentworth Street, E1.