MovieChat Forums > Melody (1971) Discussion > My Stuff (Thoughts + Memories) On 'Melod...

My Stuff (Thoughts + Memories) On 'Melody'

posted 18 years ago by WhomanJim
16 replies | jump to latest

Greetings From Las Vegas & Happy New Year.

Like with those who have also posted on this thread, I think 'Melody' is one of those films you never forget, even if ya haven't seen it in years, or (in my case) more than one time.

To quote The Grateful Dead, talk about "what a long, strange trip it's been"!

Back in the summer of '71 (was 9 years old at the time), I was visiting relatives in Denver, Colo. One day, we went to this shopping mall ('Cinderella City', I think it was called) & I had gone to this record store there to check out the latest releases. Came across this soundtrack album of a movie I had never heard of before, but at the same token, caught my attention -
a film re-teaming Jack Wild & Mark Lester from 'Oliver' & featuring music from The Bee Gees &.....

"CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG??!!! WHOAAAAAA!!!!", I said to myself.

Was also IMMEDIATELY SMITTEN with that girl.... "Tracy Hyde?? SHE'S GOREGEOUS!!!!! I wanna see this 'Melody' flick!!!!!"........

Unfortunately at the time, the company that released the movie here in the States (Leavitt-Pickman) didn't do much, if any, distribution on it.
Question here: does anybody remember if it played in other US cities besides New York? IMDb's info on NYC's release date is March '71. If it had played in Denver, then it was before that summer. And it sure as hell NEVER HAD a theatrical engagement here in Vegas - GRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!
However, several years later (somewhere between the late '70s & early '80s), one of the local tv stations ran the movie late one night & I finally got to see it for the first (& my luck so far, ONLY) time.

To say I was completely BOWLED OVER is an understatement!!!!! I remember that 'Melody' got to me in more ways than one - nevermind that this is a British film, I could totally relate to this story & what these 10 year old kids were going thru in their lives. We were all 10 at one time, afterall.

And the love story aspect..... I don't know about anybody else, but talk about hitting the mark (no pun intended lol!) here as well. There's nothing phony OR sappy going on between Melody & Daniel. Ya want sappy - go watch "Love Story" (which also came out in '71)!

It was great to see Jack & Mark team up again for this movie.
BUT it's Tracy who totally gets to you with her portrayal of the title character.
NO BRAINER that ANY young, hot-blooded male would go COMPLETELY GA-GA over her!
Like I wrote above, I SURE DID back in that summer of '71 - WITHOUT EVEN SEEING THE MOVIE at the time (again, talking about her on the soundtrack album)!

The years eventually went by & my memories of 'Melody' went to a dark corner in my brain - every once in a while coming outta there for a few seconds......

Skipping ahead to a few days ago:
I've been a member of this site for a couple of years now & have written/posted stuff on other movies - recent entries include 'Woodstock', Frank Zappa's Baby Snakes' (actually about '200 Motels'), 'The Kids Are Alright, and 'Rollerball (1975)'.
Long story short, after writing a post at the "Woodstock" thread, I started thinking about "youth" movies from that period, including one that, just like 'Melody', had a great soundtrack album, BUT AN EVEN WORSE FATE on distribution: a film called 'Homer' from 1970 (I don't think this one ever came out on the video market). It was after looking up that film when I IMMEDIATELY remembered 'Melody', so I punched it up & checked everything out.

And now, here I am writing this with a mixture of sad -
also on a "subconcious" level, ironic or not, is that the other night while I was watching TCM (Turner Classic Movies), they showed a "In Remembrance" short on those we lost in 2006 - Jack was shown as, you guessed it, "The Artful Dodger" from 'Oliver'
(We lost 'Melody's Dad' Roy Kinnear quite some time ago, so a nod to him as well).

And good feeling - now knowing that 'Melody' has gained cult status & that it hasn't been forgotten entirely.

Good to hear Mark's now doing alright in another field of work.

And Tracy......
I'm guessing she's doing alright too, these days.
Also bet 2-to-1 SHE'S STILL GOREGEOUS??!!!
(Guess it goes to show that a "luv crush" sometimes always stays with ya throughout the years.)

Anyway, before finishing this off, there's one more thing I wanna share here (and I'm somewhat surprised the following WASN'T posted by somebody else at the time!).
Back in 2003, as part of the American Cinematheque's annual "Mods & Rockers" film festival, a very rare (U.S.) theatrical screening of 'Melody' was shown at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. This is the info that was posted for it:

"Sunday, July 6 – 4:00 PM
A Salute to Maurice Gibb of The Bee Gees: Join us for a special memorial salute to the late Maurice Gibb (1949 – 2003) of the Bee Gees, one of the most talented songwriters and performers of the past four decades, who sadly passed away in January. We'll be screening two of the Bee Gees' most rarely-seen film projects:

'CUCUMBER CASTLE', 1968, 56 min. Never before screened in the U.S., 'Cucumber Castle' was created by Maurice and Barry Gibb as a late 60's British TV special… the Bee Gees' equivalent of 'Magical Mystery Tour'. The show evolved into a medieval/psychedelic musical lark written by and starring the brothers, with a truly hallucinogenic cast including Vincent Price, Spike Milligan, Lulu and Eleanor Bron - with cameos from Mick Jagger, Roger Daltrey, Donovan and Marianne Faithfull. It also features the only known TV performance by rock's first-ever supergroup: Blind Faith. The show reflects Maurice Gibb's role as the court jester of the Bee Gees. Directed by Hugh Gladwish (THE GHOST GOES GEAR) and produced by Robert Stigwood.

MELODY (aka S.W.A.L.K.), 1970, 106 min. Dir. Warris Hussein. Maurice and Barry Gibb were commissioned by producer David Puttnam to provide the soundtrack for this long-lost gem -- scripted by Alan Parker -- that re-united young actors Mark Lester and Jack Wild (co-stars of OLIVER!) in a story about pre-teen pals at a British school. The plot takes a very novel twist when 10-year-old Lester falls in love with 10-year-old Melody (Tracy Hyde) - and the two youngsters decide not to wait until they're older to get married! Maurice Gibb became closely involved in the music for the film and remained very proud of his contribution to the score. (Please note that the only available print of MELODY is faded. Because of its extreme rarity, we're including it in the Festival.)"

Cheers!

[–] xxradtastic 18 years ago

What a great post. :P I'm glad you've found this part of the internet to share your thoughts on Melody, it was a great read. And I had no clue of that Mods & Rockers film festival, it would've been a treat to go to the US and watch it. Thanks for the info!

"I couldn't speak to a dead Roman even if I knew the bloody lingo sir."

[–] WhomanJim 18 years ago

Thanx for yer thumbs-up xxradtastic - appreciate it very much!
The Mods & Rockers Film Fest happens every year around summertime at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. Here are the links to both:

www.modsandrockers.com & www.egyptiantheatre.com

Check 'em out when ya get a chance.

Cheers!

[–] xrahspex 18 years ago

Melody is being re-released on Monday 29th January 2007 for a one night show at the Alamo Picture House in Austin, Texas.
http://www.originalalamo.com/downtown/frames.asp?b=/online_tix/show_details.asp?show_id=4234

A friend in need is a friend to avoid.

[–] WhomanJim 18 years ago

Just checked out the Alamo's web site.
EGADS - they're showing "a rare 16mm print" of the movie! Not the best way to see it, but HEY, it might be in better condition than that rare & faded 35mm one shown at the Egyptian 3 years ago.
Also noticed they're also showing The Who's 'Tommy' movie as well (diff nite though).
Jeeezzzzz - wish I was in Austin for both!!!!!
GRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!

[–] gatty-1 18 years ago

Brilliantly put Jim. I have just watched Melody again tonight.

I have the soundtrack on my ipod, which I listen to one hell of a lot, but to listen to this fantastic score whilst watching the film itself again this evening was pure joy and another rollercoaster of sad and happy memories of an era sadly long gone.

I was born in 1960, so everything about this film just makes me dizzy with nostalgia and fondness for the 70`s London that I grew up in, and I can still feel now those same growing pains and first-love emotions that Mark and Tracy portray so beautifully on film.

I think the first time I ever saw this film I, too, had an immediate crush on Tracy Hyde and the part of me that remains 11 years old for ever probably still does have that same crush now. Daft I know!

I adore Melody because apart from its being set in the city I grew up in (I have often walked through that cemetery in Fulham Road after watching my team Chelsea play and, albeit not in London, have also larked about on those same sands in Weymouth), I was almost that age when it was made, and certainly that age when I first saw it (hence that crush!). I still remember my first "love" at junior school (well don`t we all), still remember her name, still remember my teacher one day intercepting a "love" note I sent to her in class - and the so and so read it out loud to all and sundry (I don`t think his name was Mr Dicks, but it may just as well have been).

This beautiful and moving film means a lot to me, makes many wonderful memories of my own London childhood come to life, and a lump in my throat is a definite whenever I watch it.

Thanks Jim for a great post.

Martin (UK) - as I forgot to put a user name (I think anyway)

[–] WhomanJim 18 years ago

Note: Slight re-edit here - had originally spelled David Puttnam's last name WRONG (wrote 'Puttman' by mistake - WHOOPS! Sorry 'bout that, David lol!). Now corrected! Also added a couple more names too.

Hey Martin,
THANK YOU for what ya wrote!
Nahhh, yer NOT "daft" - like I wrote above, and from checking out some other postings at this thread, it seems most of us guys got that crush on Tracy! Just goes to show that David Puttnam & Alan Parker made THE RIGHT CHOICE in picking her for the role. And like 'Daniel' in the movie, we all wanted to have a girlfriend like 'Melody'.

I, too, had my first real crush while I was in elementry school (2nd grade) - she didn't look like Tracy, but she was just as beautiful. Unfortunately for yours-truly (and unlike the film), the feeling wasn't mutual... Ho-hum! ;-(

Got a BIG LAFF on yer reference to "Mr. Dicks" - I'll bet 2-to-1 everybody had THAT kind of schoolteacher LOLOLOL!!!!!

And that's the thing about 'Melody' -
to quote The Sex Pistols - "NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS" that it's "a British flick" & "from the '70s"! The story & themes are universal, and are just as relevant TODAY, as they were back then.

Speaking of posts here, I read the one about "Melody US Status", which was written about 2 years ago (MGM being the holder of the film rights back then). Sony (Columbia/Tri-Star), as most everybody knows, bought MGM recently, so unless I'm wrong, they now have those rights by default.
Whatever the case, I SERIOUSLY think Puttnam & Parker should look into the situation - either try to buy back the film or do some kind of deal - AND GET A PROPER RE-RELEASE of the movie (wishful thinking on my part here)!
Of course, MAJOR MOOLA/BUCKS will be involved - tracking down the elements (negative, sound, etc.) & checking 'em out (if they STILL exist, that is & GOD ONLY KNOWS, if so, what kind of condition they're in!).
If, by chance, all is well in that department, strike up a few new prints for the Arthouse/Revival movie theatres (a general re-release WOULD BE NICE, but HIGHLY DOUBTFUL just the same) - NO MORE of this "rare 35mm / 16mm print" la-di-f*%kin'-da NONSENSE!
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY for all of us fans -
A PROPER DVD SPECIAL EDITION release for the world (Japan included)!
Yeah, we're talking ALL THE GOODIES here:
The movie remastered on both picture & sound, audio commentary from Tracy & Mark
(and David, Alan & Kay 'Peggy' Skinner {saw her review post on the opening page!} as well - maybe others involved: Is Waris still alive??),
outtakes & theatrical trailers (if they still exist), those Japanese "Mark & Tracy Reunion" shows, a tribute/rememberance to Jack, Roy & whoever else who's no longer with us now, etc.
In other words, THE WHOLE KIT & KABOOTLE!!!!

But again, that's just wishful thinking on my part.......

Anyway Martin, thanx again for yer thoughts & memories above. WAY COOL that yer in London too - can TOTALLY understand what 'Melody' means to you.

Cheers from Vegas! Jim.

P.S.: Almost forgot - today (Jan.12,'07) is the third anniversary of Maurice Gibb's passing.
So a rememberance to him as well.

R.I.P. Maurice....
and thank you for yer involvement with 'Melody'.
WELL DONE THERE!

[–] xxradtastic 18 years ago

Another great post Jim, I definately agree with you that there should be a rerelease of this movie. I really have no clue what Sony's doing with it now, it's probably in with a bunch of other older movies they have, sitting there looking pretty. If I knew anyway to contact Sony or Puttnam & Parker about it, I would. It should have been released in '88 after Kinnear past, and should've been released last year to mark Jack's passing (and also coincidentally to mark a 35th anniversary).

"I couldn't speak to a dead Roman even if I knew the bloody lingo sir."

[–] gatty-1 18 years ago

xxradtastic, I have to say that the deaths of both of those mentioned by yourself above were not given any special tributes here in their homeland either.

I suspect, however, that had any tribute to Jack Wild been shown here, it would indubitably have been Oliver! that they showed. I just don`t think they`d even have considered Melody for one instant. As it happens they didn`t consider anything at all.

The last time I actually saw Jack was in a "Where Are They Now?" programme on ITV, in which he looked very, very ill indeed, and this was, I understand, filmed not very long at all before his tragic death.

Similarly nothing was ever put out on TV here in memory of the excellent Roy Kinnear. I think he just wasn`t considered a big enough star by the powers-that-be, which I found quite staggering at the time. However, Roy is still remembered fondly in the UK for his many roles in British sitcoms and comedy sketch shows (notably as Dick Emery`s skinhead father, one of my favourite comic "Kinnear" characters), and I`m glad to say many of these shows still run now on cable and satellite.

God bless them both.

[–] xxradtastic 18 years ago

Oh yes, there were numerous releases and re-releases of Oliver!, and although it is a splendid movie, I think Melody is just as good, if not better. Being an avid Jack Wild fan I've always thought this was his best movie, and was sad to find out a while back that it never had a proper release in North America.

There are too many of those "Where Are They Now?" programs floating around, aren't there? I think a tribute should be in order for both Jack and Roy (although I haven't seen Roy in anything other than Melody, sorry to say, but you desribed him wonderfully), and I'm still surprised to know that such tribute hasn't been made yet.

"I couldn't speak to a dead Roman even if I knew the bloody lingo sir."

[–] WhomanJim 18 years ago

Now xxradtastic, are ya SURE ya haven't seen Roy in anything else BESIDES 'Melody'??!!!
What about The Beatles' 2nd movie 'Help' (he played sidekick "Algernon" to Victor Spinetti's "Prof. Foot"), or ESPECIALLY 'Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory' ('Veruca Salt's SUFFERING dad!)???

Speaking of 'Help', Roy was a favorite of director Richard Lester (no relation to Mark, I think) & he cast Roy in several of his other films afterwards, including 'How I Won The War' (also with John Lennon) & the 'Musketeers' trilogy - sadly, as xrahspex pointed out above, it was during the filming of the last one 'Return Of The Musketeers', where Roy had that fatal accident.

A couple more random thoughts from yours-truly here:

It STILL boggles my mind as to why Levitt-Pickman totally "DROPPED THE BALL" on 'Melody', in regards to U.S. distribution. We're talking 1971 here - THE SAME YEAR that both Jack's 'Flight Of The Doves' AND Mark's 'Black Beauty' were ALSO released (and, yeah, BOTH DID PLAY HERE in Vegas! Plus the fact that Jack was coming off of the success of 'H.R. Pufnstuf' - both the tv show AND movie, the year before).
Ok, maybe neither were exactly "box-office bonanzas", but at the same token, they weren't "stiffs" either - meaning: Jack & Mark WERE STILL POPULAR at the time.
One would think Levitt-Pickman would've capitalized on this last aspect - BUT NOOOOOOO!
One known engagement in NYC, then NOTHING.
WHATTA BUNCH OF IDIOTS!!!!!

Finally, one more name added on the R.I.P. list here:
Actor David Hemmings, best known for his role as the photographer in Antonioni's 'Blow Up', who was one of the producers of 'Melody' (David was the "Hem" with Hemdale Prod. - John Daly was the "dale". And for the record, according to the IMDb info, he left the company around this time, so he wasn't involved with latter Hemdale films like "The Terminator").
Cheers! Jim

[–] xxradtastic 18 years ago

He was in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? Oi, I can't believe I missed that: I used to watch that movie all the time when I was younger. I've also seen The Three Musketeers (although the main reason was to watch Oliver Reed, haha). Actually, now that I think about it I've probably seen more movies with him in it, I've just got to go to his IMDb page and re-check.

[–] xrahspex 18 years ago

In 1981, Hemdale Productions produced Alice (Alicja) which also starred Jack Wild and Tracy Hyde.

A friend in need is a friend to avoid.

[–] xrahspex 18 years ago

Hemdale Holdings produced the 1981 film Alice (Alicja), in which Jack Wild and Tracy Hyde appeared in.

A friend in need is a friend to avoid.

[–] xrahspex 18 years ago

It should have been released in '88 after Kinnear past

Although it did not have a theatrical re-release, Melody was released on VHS in '87 and that was the last time it was shown on British TV. A year later, Tracy made her last TV appearance in The Bill.
I loved Roy Kinnear when he used to dress up as a Roman soldier in the Peterborough promotion adverts and I can remember hearing the sad news when he died after falling off a horse.

In '88, I can recall watching Mark Lester and Jack Wild being interviewed by Terry Wogan on "Wogan" to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Oliver! Jack didn't look too good even at that time because he was recovering from alcoholism.

A friend in need is a friend to avoid.

[–] charltoncourt 18 years ago

My favourite childhood film!! I have just received a perfect quality DVD from the US (Region Free)...I am over the moon!!! Watching it last night brought some very warm memories back. If anyone wants a copy they can email me ([email protected]).

Steve

[–] fergyme 18 years ago

I have always loved this film and like many here was about 10 when this film first came out.

Still not sure if the officially released DVD from Japan is still available, but it is in anamorphic video and looks great. I bought it when I was still living there and it still might be available. I know you need a region free player, but those are easy to get. I'd check out Amazonjp if anyone wants to find it that way.