Today’s movie is a period drama with a scene that happens on
October 25. Watch it tonight and enjoy.
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
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