Relatively few people appear to have seen this film, despite a top star trio. Perhaps it is because of the unappetizing British title ("St. Martin's Lane"? Seriously?), or perhaps because it is little more than a soapy variaton on the old "A Star Is Born" formula. The script is weak and takes too long to get started, to the extent that it ever does. The film does offer a chance to see Charles Laughton in a rare non-costume, non-heavy-makeup, non-period role, but he still has that tendency to hog the spotlight, which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Vivien Leigh is beautiful and has a wonderful scene (the film's best) when she dances alone in a dark room. Rex Harrison does not really have much to do. ** out of 4.
Review of The Sidewalks of London
