Expresso Bongo

1959, U.K., 111m, DCP

Showtimes & Tickets

Screened January 15, 2025

Fifties British rock and roll classic, a fast-paced story about a cheap, opportunistic Soho talent agent (Laurence Harvey) who always looks for the quick buck. He’s glib and he’s flashy, a bluffer with a ready talent for the quick double-cross. When he picks up amateur singer and bongo player (Cliff Richard) in a Soho espresso bar, he uses a little bit of luck and tons of chutzpah to transform the kid into a highly-regarded international singing sensation.

Featuring outrageously wonderful supporting turns from Sylvia Syms, Yolande Donlan and Hermione Baddeley, this is the full and original 1959 theatrical version, which includes a number of songs that were cut out of the later and more commonly available 1962 version that was released at the time to capitalize on the popularity of Cliff Richard.

 

New 2K restoration from the original negative, in collaboration with the British Film Institute and its Unlocking Film Heritage program

A film by Val Guest

Starring Cliff Richard Laurence Harvey Sylvia Syms Yolande Donlan Hermione Baddeley

Britain’s most abrasive and entertaining film musical.”

Time Out

Wed February 26

Wings of the Morning

Wed February 19

A Fish in the Bathtub