A gang of boys called the Battersea Bats are in competition with the Victoria Victors who are trying to steal their plans for a soap box derby racer. Produced by the Children's Film Foundation. The children probably shouldn't have been playing in a rail depot, but when a member of the rival gang falls into the sea during a gang fight, they rush to rescue him. Children in the audience learn an important lesson about not committing manslaughter. In another scene, they explain why children who wear glasses are called "four eyes". A little girl gets hit by a truck and is taken away in a weird-looking British ambulance.
Michael Crawford's first movie. His grandfather in the film drives a tiny BMW Isetta. It has only a slightly longer wheelbase than the soap box racers.
I thought soap box derby racers just rolled downhill propelled only by gravity, but England is pretty flat. The things these kids build were pedal-driven.
I had never heard of the movie before, but it was reportedly shown on the CBS Children's Film Festival on Saturday morning TV.
Free on Movieland.Tv or the Classic Comedy Channel or with a subscription on BFIplayer Classics.
Only 64 minutes, but it has a lot of plot.
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