In 1965, Margaret Foster published Georgy Girl, a novel about the narrow options open to a heavy-set, homely, love-sick, English working-class girl as Swinging London was taking hold. For young women in London then, thin was in, as was high-pop style, colorful fashion and sports cars. Georgy's roommate, Meredith, is completely in sync with the times, though she's bitter, spoiled and callous. Despite Meredith's good looks, it's Georgy who attracts the attention of two men—Meredith's eccentric boyfriend and an older wealthy suitor who happens to be her father's employer. A classic tale of personality shining brighter than icy beauty.
Almost immediately upon publication, the novel was optioned for a movie. Cast for the roles were Lynn Redgrave (above) as the 22-year-old Georgy, Charlotte Rampling as her swinging roommate, James Mason as the older socialite and Alan Bates as Meredith's beau. The film shows off two Londons—one still rooted in the stuffy 1950s and the other winding its way through the sexually liberated '60s.
The movie's opening and closing theme song, Georgy Girl, was composed by Tom Springfield, Dusty's older brother, with words by Jim Dale. It was recorded by the Seekers, a lovely Australian pop-folk quartet. In the U.S., the song was a huge hit, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard pop chart. For those who remember the British Invasion of the mid-'60s, the song and the movie in '66 stirred up notions of what Swinging London must be like, with its chatter and cheery charm. Interestingly, the film's exterior shots seem to drop the actors into actual street scenes, giving us a glimpse of what London felt like back then.
Note: For my WSJ "House Call" interview with Charlotte Rampling in 2017, go here. [Photo above of Alan Bates and Charlotte Rampling]
Here's Georgy Girl, elegantly directed by Silvio Narizzano, with a sterling cast and a fanciful score by Alexander Faris...
