October 25 - 84 Charing Cross Road

This movie has a scene that happens today – October 25. I hope you will enjoy this film and watch it tonight.

84 CHARING CROSS ROAD

In 1971 Helene Hanff visits London and goes to a closed bookshop. She thinks back on how in post- world War II New York, she had in her search for certain out of print books written to Marks & Co., booksellers, in London. On October 25, 1949 [6:34 to 7:59] Frank Doel the manager writes her back. They begin a conversation in letters about books and life. When she learns of the still continuing rationing in Britain, Helene sends them gifts of food. One day Helene meets and becomes friends with a young engaged couple, Ed and Ginny, and later attends their wedding.  Helene becomes a scriptwriter for the “Ellery Queen” TV show, while Frank spends his time traveling the country attending estate sales, buying old books. Maxine, an actress friend, of Helene goes to London to appear in a play and visits the store but does not tell anyone who she is. Frank and his wife vote in the 1951 general British election and Helene baby-sits for Ed and Ginny. The staff sent Helene a beautiful embroidered tablecloth as a present and George Martin, one of the staff gets sick. When Helene learns that stockings are very hard to get in Britain, she buys some and sends them to Maxine. She takes them to the store and leaves them, again without telling anyone whom she is. Both George Martin and King George VI die. Frank and his family go on holiday, but Helene’s plan to go to Britain are derailed by the huge expense of some unexpected dental work. Both Helene and Frank’s friends watch the coronation of Elizabeth II on TV. They trade their favorite sports loyalties for the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Tottenham Hotspurs. Helene gets evicted and has to move to a new apartment building, while everyone at Mark and Co except Frank has moved on. Helene becomes involved in the 1968 Columbia University School protests. She is devastated to learn that Frank Doel has died. She finally makes a trip to London to find the store closed.

This film has very little action. It is all character development. However, it does a very good job at character development and it thus worth watching.       

Date given in the film on a letter at 7:58 and 10:40

Producers - Mel Brooks and Geoffrey Helman

Director - David Jones

Screenplay - Hugh Whitemore

Runtime – 1 hour 40 minutes

Released – February 13, 1987

Starring –

Anne Bancroft as Helene Hanff

Anthony Hopkins as Frank Doel

Judi Dench as Nora Doel

Maurice Denham as George Martin

Eleanor David as Cecily Farr

Mercedes Ruehl as Kay

Daniel Gerroll as Brian

Wendy Morgan as Megan Wells

Ian McNeice as Bill Humphries

J. Smith-Cameron as Ginny