Andrew J. Lederer

Invited by BFI TV guy Dick Fiddy to see a rare exploitation film from the mid-'60s -- "Primitive London" -- at the NFT the other night. It was supposed to be like the Italian "Mondo" films but it was really kinda tame.

Fascinating, though, as a document of London in the era. Beautiful color footage of mods, rockers, "beatniks', the Establishment Club. (Comedian Ray Martine --don't know if I spelled his name right -- performing. Or, as Dick Fiddy referred to him, "Jewish comedian" Ray Martine. The English -- at least of a certain age -- always seem to add that descriptor when applicable, even when it seems irrelevant to the guy's act.)

Barry Cryer was in the audience, as he had played an ad agency guy in the film. (He was quite good too.) Also in the room was the great cinematographer, Jack Cardiff, celebrating his 92nd birthday. It was the kind of thing I really like. (See earlier post about "Cinecon".)

After the film, I walked to and over the Blackfriars Bridge and met up with my friend Anna Black, with whom I walked to Turnmill's to see some of the gala, monthly "Pear Shaped" show. Took us a while to find the place and when we did, there was a massive queue and we had to wait for a surly bouncer to let us go in -- not because of Brian Damage's great popularity (although in a perfect world, that would have been the reason for the crowd) but because of the subterranean disco that seemed to have galvanized the area's dance-craving youth.

We got in, though. (Phew.)

Entered while my arch-nemesis (see earlier Edinburgh post), Frank Sinazi, was performing (he was great) and enjoyed both the room and much of what we saw of the show. Met a nice posh girl named Helen (she kept insisting to everyone that she was NOT posh), then left with Anna to get our traditional shared veggie sandwich at Subway, after which I walked home.

It was a really nice night. Almost -- dare I say it? -- normal.

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