Georgy Girl
 The
wonderful Lynn Redgrave stars as the plump, rather dumpy and
hopelessly un-hip Georgina (a role, bizarrely enough, first
earmarked for her glamorous and svelte sister, Vanessa), pining
for close chum Alan Bates while decidedly promiscuous roommate
Charlotte Rampling jets around London looking delicious and
shining as the man mad Meredith.
This bittersweet look at the lives of young Londoners trapped
in the Swinging Sixties was the film that proved to the world that
the Redgrave acting family had yet another talented member.
Prior to accepting the role of the rather frumpy Georgina -
Lynn Redgrave had been in the shadows of her famous dad Sir
Michael and sister Vanessa. She received an Oscar nomination for
the role and won several critics' awards and that year's Golden
Globe.
In 1966 this film was very nearly refused a classification, as
it was seen as too scandalous. It's got the lot - sex, abortions,
dirty old men and Alan Bates.
But Georgy just doesn't fit into the swinging scene, and yearns
for something a bit more traditional. She finds herself being
pursued by her father's boss James (James Mason) but George has
designs on Jos, Meredith's boyfriend, and avoids James as much as
possible.
When Meredith falls pregnant (for the third time) the plot
starts to thicken. Georgy and Jos act like parents to be whilst
Meredith carries on in her usual party girl fashion. While
Meredith is having his baby, Jos is too busy realising he's in
love with George - and she in love with him.
In one fell swoop all George's dreams come true, she gets her
man and her baby (both formerly belonging to Meredith) but
domestic bliss doesn't last long.
Jos feels constricted by his
bank job and new fatherhood, leaving Georgy on her own.
Single-parenthood just wasn't on in 1966 so step forward Uncle
James with the big white wedding as a grand finale.
Georgy Girl marked an impressive directorial debut from Silvio
Narizzano (hitherto a TV director) who kept some potentially dicey
material bright, if not always light.
The sprightly theme song was co- written by Tom Springfield
(the musical 'brother' of the wonderful Dusty Springfield in the
early 60s folk-pop trio The Springfields) and Carry On
actor Jim Dale. It was recorded by Tom's discovery The Seekers.
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