Cosh Boy (1953) is among the new dual format sets from the celebrated BFI Flipside series and its another terrific addition. Like so many Flipsides, the attraction is as much with the extras as the main feature. Of especial interest for me was the 1956 8 minute report from ITV’s This Week programme on the Teddy Boy. Before R ’n’ R had corrupted Britain’s youth, working-class Mike Wood from Hounslow showed a fondness for jazz and a hair style called ‘be-bop’. The cut and perm made a nice set with his barely formed goatee.

With hair done just right, Mike takes his girl to the Flamingo where they dance to The Tony Kinsey Quartet.

Filmed 5 years later, the 22 minute short film by Robert Hartford-Davis, Stranger in the City tracks around London from morning to night. To modern eyes, the Big Smoke seems uncannily empty but as night falls the streets begin to fill up with cars and pedestrians. Outside the 2i’s coffee bar two teenagers jive to the new rock ‘n’ roll they hear in their heads.

Like the images of the Soho strip clubs seen earlier in the film, juveniles loitering in caffeine joints are now firmly part of the city’s attractions. Cliff Richard in Expresso Bongo had put both into mainstream cinema two years earlier.

Who are these jiving cats illuminated by the 2i’s window? One is instantly recognisable as Paul Raven, Decca recording star. He was born with the name Paul Gadd but we know him as Gary Glitter. He looks like Sid Vicious before the drugs hollowed out his cheeks.

Who’s the other, better looking lad? Vince Eager maybe? I dunno. Whatever, a great little film and a great find by Flipside.

Addendum

Rob Finnis got in touch and identified Paul Ravens’ mate: as the ‘one hit wonder Lance Fortune, who scored with 'Be Mine' in late 1959. His real name was Chris Morris and he hailed from Liverpool. Incidentally, Hartford-Davis discovered and managed Paul Raven and got him his first record deal in 1960 which, I guess, is why he makes an appearance in the short.’

Thanks Rob.