James Mason’s “The London Nobody Knows”, 1969

14 Mar

James Mason’s “The London Nobody Knows”, 1969 - click above to see the film
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5h8w0m

The London Nobody Know is a 1967 British documentary film starring and narrated by actor James Mason. Directed by Norman Cohen, it offers a "trippy" and gritty tour of the unfashionable side of 1960s London, contrasting sharply with the popular "Swinging Sixties" image of the era.

Narrative and Style: James Mason serves as a dapper yet serious guide, leading viewers through decaying Victorian remnants and overlooked historical oddities. His commentary is often described as "patrician" and "sardonic".
Locations: The film visits several iconic and now largely vanished spots, including:
- The ruins of the Bedford Theatre in Camden Town.
- 29 Hanbury Street in Spitalfields, the site of the second Jack the Ripper murder.
- The elaborate art nouveau gentlemen's lavatory at Holborn station.
- Chapel Market in Islington.
- The "catacombs" beneath the Camden freight terminal.
Subject Matter: It documents the lives of ordinary Londoners, including street vendors, buskers, and residents of Salvation Army hostels, while capturing scenes of poverty and urban decay that were about to be lost to redevelopment.
Origin: The film is based on the 1962 book of the same title by Geoffrey Fletcher, who also co-wrote the script.