I saw this upon its original release in 1963 and loved. Never having being able to see it again I was sorry to miss it at a rare BFI Southbank showing last year and now here it is on DVD. To be honest, I remember enjoying it despite its gambling debt theme but now find this an annoyance. The b/w cinematography is still wonderful and this is a great portrayal of early 60s Soho, when it was more Jewish and Italian than Chinese and gay as it is now. Later in the 60s I was old enough to visit pubs and music venues and recall that older prostitutes still stood on the corners, though not anymore. There is still a buzz to the place and the street layout is unchanged but it doesn't have quite that jump and dare accurately depicted here. Newley is excellent in the central role and is well supported by Wilfred Brambell and Julia Foster.
