The Moon Over the Alley
| The Moon Over the Alley | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Joseph Despins |
| Written by | William Dumaresq |
| Produced by | Joseph Despins William Dumaresq |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Peter Hannan |
| Edited by | Joseph Despins |
| Music by | Galt MacDermot |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 107 mins. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The Moon Over the Alley is a 1976 British experimental film, directed by Joseph Despins and written by William Dumaresq. The film stars Sean Caffrey, Basil Clarke, Debbie Evans, Peter Farrell, Doris Fishwick, Patrick Murray, and Norman Mitchell. It premiered in 1976 at the New Directors/New Films Festival.[1] This same directing/writing team previously collaborated on another cult film, Duffer (1972).
Synopsis
The Moon Over the Alley reunited Duffer writer/directors Joseph Despins and William Dumaresq, with this strange London-set musical, again scored by Galt MacDermont (Hair). The film explores the problems facing the multicultural residents in a Notting Hill boarding house of the early 1970s, destined for demolition. Dark and disturbing, yet also dreamlike and tender, this astonishing film defies all categorisation. This title is also available on DVD / Blu-ray in the BFI's Flipside collection.
Cast
- Sean Caffrey as Jack MacMahon
- Vari Sylvester as June MacMahon
- Basil Clarke as Mr. Deray
- Debbie Evans as Katie
- Peter Farrell as Akki
- Doris Fishwick as Sybil
- Norman Mitchell as Joe Tudge
- Patrick Murray as Ronnie Gusset
- Erna May as Bertha Gusset
- Leroy Hyde as Jim
- Sharon Forrester as Belinda
Reception
The New York Times calls this "a film with a nice eye for a little piece of London life".[2] Nostalgia Central labels it a "strange London-set musical".[3]
Kenneth George Godwin of Cagey Films lauds the film for "merely reflecting a community as it exists" in regards to its kitchen sink realism.[4] And Shaquilla Alexander of So the Theory Goes said that there is "something slightly Shakespearean about the way" the film "explores the tales and tribulations of the damned".[5]
References
- ↑ "The Moon Over the Alley (1975)". Reel Streets. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
- ↑ "FILM: MOON OVER THE ALLEY RETURNS". The New York Times. 27 April 1983. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
- ↑ "Moon Over the Alley, The (1976)". Nostalgia Central. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
- ↑ Godwin, Kenneth George (17 March 2011). "DVD of the week: Duffer/The Moon Over the Alley". Cagey Films. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
- ↑ Godwin, Kenneth George (3 May 2019). "DVD of the week: Duffer/The Moon Over the Alley". So the Theory Goes. Retrieved 22 July 2026.