Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush is a 1968 British comedy film produced and directed by Clive Donner, based on the 1965 novel of the same name by Hunter Davies.[1] The film stars Barry Evans, Judy Geeson and Angela Scoular.[2] It was listed to compete at the 1968 Cannes Film Festival,[3] but the festival was cancelled due to the events of May 1968 in France.[4]
Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush | |
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![]() British quad poster | |
Directed by | Clive Donner |
Screenplay by | Hunter Davies Larry Kramer (additional dialogue) |
Based on | Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush by Hunter Davies |
Produced by | Clive Donner |
Starring | Barry Evans Judy Geeson Angela Scoular Sheila White Adrienne Posta Diane Keen Christopher Timothy |
Cinematography | Alex Thomson |
Edited by | Fergus McDonell |
Music by | Traffic Spencer Davis Group Andy Ellison |
Production company | Giant Production Films |
Distributed by | United Artists |
Release date |
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Running time | 96 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray officially for the first time by the British Film Institute (BFI) in September 2010 as part of its "Flipside" strand.[5]
Jamie McGregor (Barry Evans) is a virginal sixth-former in a Swinging Sixties new town, delivering groceries for the local supermarket. However he is more interested in matters sexual and sets out to lose his virginity by attempting to seduce the local girls – Linda, Paula, Caroline, and his dream girl, Mary. He ultimately succeeds in bedding the sexually aggressive Audrey, only to learn too late that sex is not as important as he initially believed.
The music was released by United Artists Records on a soundtrack album in 1968.[6] It has been re-issued on CD by Rykodisc. The Spencer Davis Group provided most of the music and made a cameo appearance in the film at a church fete.[7] The title track "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush" was written and performed by Traffic.[6] Traffic also have two other songs on the soundtrack album "Am I What I Was or Was I What I Am" and a version of "Utterly Simple" that is different from the recording used on the album Mr Fantasy. Andy Ellison of the group John's Children also appears on the soundtrack album with the song "It's Been a Long Time".[8]
The location for the film was Stevenage New Town, Hertfordshire.[9] Buildings featured include the town's Clock Tower in the town centre, a pedestrian zone.[10]
The sailing scenes at the "Botel" were filmed on Grafham Water, Huntingdonshire.[11]
A screening of the film at Cannes was booked, but it was never shown there due to the May 1968 events in France. Horror journalist Preston Fassel, in his biography of Vanessa Howard, reported this was the first incident in a string of unfortunate coincidences for the actress, whose career was continually derailed by circumstances beyond her control.[12]
The film was the 14th-most popular movie at the Australian box office in 1969.[13] It was the 10th-most popular film in general release at the British box office in 1968.[14]
Films directed by Clive Donner | |
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