Watched this again. One of the most underrated British films of all time. Dame Edith Evans giving a remarkable performance in her twilight years as a lonely old woman living in a slum in a deprived area of Manchester. It's very grim, but brutally honest. The great myth that it was all much better back then busted. Post War Britain was a shit hole for many and the newly set up welfare state just kept people above the breadline. It was only in the 1950s and people were still living in a single room, some times families of up to 6 people. 6 in a bed. The Biscuit Tin scene of cheery midwives, jolly red faced butchers, little boys in shorts running with model planes, and immaculate well dressed ladies outside the Post Office. A picture. Nothing more. I recommend this film if you've never seen it. It's on Prime.

I remember watching with my late grandmother years ago on TV. We thought it would be just a typical British movie, how wrong we were.

The ending has stuck with me for years, where she finally loses her mind. The church scenes are very realistic, people go to church, but never bother talking to the flock after the service, even bother to try to be good Christians.

Post WW2 America was pretty much thriving, they had a new youth rebellion -counterculture, rock n roll, new builds and jobs which were easy to get.

I did once ask a few elderly gents if Happy Days was a true description of America in the '50s, and they said Happy Days was borderline documentary.

If you could afford a new colour TV back in the 50s, a new colour TV, about 12 years prior UK and Ireland.

Our parents had bomb sites to play in and wore coats which were handed down from dead blokes. Instead of collecting stamps or coins, they collected shrapnel from bombs and wondered how many Jerries it once wiped out.

You have made a cheery start to the day before work, Cat.

I just enjoy spreading much happiness GM. lol. It is a fine film for sure. And also probably highlighting that many people have always been mostly greedy and in self preservation mode at the expense of the most vulnerable. Arthur from On The Buses turning up at one point and raiding Edith's handbag. Pre Olive days. lol.