With its gangs of boys fighting criminals, playing out against a post-Blitz bombed-out London, the film may have influenced C. Day Lewis' 'The Otterbury Incident', published the following year (though itself an adaptation of a French screenplay, Nous les gosses (Portrait of Innocence), that was filmed in 1941). What a merry circle... perhaps beginning at 'Emil and the Detectives' (1929). This ingenious tale was written by TEB Clarke.
Hue and Cry is very sprightly, for example in a nimbly executed department store heist full of interesting set-ups and lightning editing (Charles Hasse - also Dead of Night) - and featuring an amusing weighing machine. In its beautiful high contrast camera work (Douglas Slocombe), interesting compositions, run-down cityscape and especially a sewer scene it even slightly anticipates The Third Man. Refreshingly location set and featuring lots of London that has now disappeared, it doesn't pull its punches either, with boys being throttled and pushed about all over the place.
George Auric's music is absolutely wonderful. This guy was amazing. (You just know when you have a Slocombe / Auric combination you're in for a treat.)
Harry Fowler is the intrepid boys' leader, variously aided and abetted by a delightful Alistair Sim, Jack Warden, Alec Finter.
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