“It’s been a long time since we had so much excitement in Sussex Road”, said Barbara Buckle. And she should know, having lived there for 36 years. Barbara was commenting on the road’s recent brush with fame when it featured in a new film about John Lennon.
John, of course, was one of the stars of ‘The Beatles’, the Liverpool band which took the world of pop music by storm in the sixties. This film, however, called, ‘Nowhere Boy’, is based on his earlier years before the band was formed. It stars, among others, Aaron Johnson (as Lennon), Kristin Scott Thomas (as his Aunt Mimi) and Anne Marie Duff (as his mother Julia).
Why Sussex Road? Because the houses there are relatively unchanged since their construction and so could fit the bill for this 50s’ period piece. Makers Ecosse Films went to extraordinary lengths to ensure full authenticity. A third of the road was cleared of modern cars and street furniture and then closed off to all traffic during the shoots. The house selected as Julia Lennon’s was given a makeover, with replacement windows and curtains and a drastically altered garden. Nearby houses, including Barbara’s, were fitted with dummy windows and other changes.
Some fifty production staff, stars and extras were on and around the set. Period cars and vans were strategically positioned alongside the Teddy boys and girls with perms. Umpteen takes were then made of a scene where John is reunited with his mother after a long absence and is warmly greeted with a big hug.
Barbara said that she and her neighbours were impressed with the consideration showed by the film makers. “They gave plenty of warning beforehand of what was going to happen and invited everyone to contact them with any queries. They visited the homes in the vicinity and told us exactly what they’d like to do to ensure it was all realistic”.
They also followed up with thank you letters to all the homes affected, and made a donation to Sussex Road based Glebe School in appreciation of all the help they had been given. The sports equipment this will buy will be a reminder of the road’s two days in the limelight, and we will watch out with interest for the film hitting the big screen next year.
AFN
