The Moon Over the Alley (1976)

The Moon Over the Alley: Directed by Joseph Despins. With Sean Caffrey, Basil Clarke, Debbie Evans, Peter Farrell. 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.

“An adventurous and experimental film, clearly made for little money and set in Londonu0026#39;s Notting Hill area. The primary setting is a local boarding house and the mix of residents reflects the multicultural population of the immediate area. It is well put together with some fine shots and extremely believable interaction with what must have been a largely non professional cast. There are a few oddities to spoil or enliven the experience, depending upon your point of view. I could have done without the tramps and their devotion to the moon over the alley and if that does not seem sacrilegious enough, I have to say I could also have done without the music of Galt McDermott (Hair). The sentimental element and uninspired soundtrack detract from what is for me an otherwise endearing film reflecting enormous changes beginning all around the city. Location wise there are some tremendous shots of the main drag of Portobello Road with and without market stalls as well as of some surrounding streets and is a must for anyone interested in seeing the big and small differences with how things are today. So, a film packed with interesting characters, illustrating a kind of life that barely exists now in London, and peppered with an incident of two, some working better than others.”