Like many post-WW2 films this intrigues as much for its location photography, as the plot itself. The concept of a working class area of Chelsea would probably amaze the residents of London SW3 today, but exist it certainly did until the late 70's. Similarly bombsights, and the capacity they had to cause accidents were to be found for almost as long. I enjoyed 'The Yellow Balloon' mainly for the reasons above, and the performance of Andrew Ray. However, imo the casting of Kathleen Ryan and Kenneth More as the parents did not convince given the setting. Even worse was the casting of William Sylvester. I felt he played the role as well as he could, but due to having to desert his natural accent he never found the capability of mastering a local one. (Dirk Bogarde for example could have made the role memorable.) Despite this, it is well worth watching particularly to understand what the then censorship board initially deemed unacceptable for young adults to watch.
Review of The Yellow Balloon
The Yellow Balloon
(1953)
Innocence and guilt of youth played out in working class Chelsea
13 February 2018