JohnHowardReid Making his fourth feature film appearance and way, way, down the cast list even though he has more screen time than some of the major players, like Hyde White for example, we have Peter Sellers in a role that will delight his fans. Even though the part is rather short, Sellers' abrasive cop does make several appearances. He also seems to be much chubbier here than we remember him. But there's no mistaking that voice! However, it's Moira Lister with her engaging study of a helpful prostitute who walks away with the film's acting honors. The youngsters are remarkably savvy too – a tribute to writer/director William Fairchild. In fact, this was the first of only three movies that Fairchild directed, although he had a comparatively long career as a screenwriter. Mind you, although Fairchild does go overboard in this tribute to the queen, one has a feeling that he is more than somewhat critical of the crowd's behavior. Also, his use of many constant close-ups of the queen's escort seem designed to show off how impractical and ridiculous are their uniforms – and perhaps the whole ceremony? This movie is available on an excellent Slam Dunk DVD.

Spikeopath John and Julie is written directed by William Fairchild. It stars Colin Gibson, Lesley Dudley, Noelle Middleton, Moira Lister, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Sid James and Megs Jenkins. Out of Beaconsfield Studios, film is shot in Eastman Color with music by Philip Green (trumpet solo's Eddie Calvert) and cinematography by Arthur Grant.John (Gibson) and Julie (Dudley), two young children in 1953, set off on their own from Dorset to see The Queen's Coronation in London....Utterly charming picture full of youthful bluster and eccentric adults. Film is very much of its time, it harks back to a time when kids were safe on the streets, people were only too glad to help and you could drink water from the local stream! In essence it's a road movie, one that is powered by two youngsters who by hook or by crook, want to see the Queen get crowned. Story shows how these two young kiddies use initiative and naivety to get to their destination, how they affect everyone who comes into contact with them, and finally how such an historical event brought about a joy and community spirit that is sadly all too lacking in today's modern British society. All of which is deftly flecked by Eddie Calvert's beautiful trumpet.God bless her!Is it contrived? And do you have to be a fan of the British Royals to get the most out of it? Not at all. Yes you need a modicum of disbelief suspension to accept that the kids could make it all that way without getting nabbed by the police, the latter of which hardly come off as sharp coppers here, but Fairchild is all about youthful determination and how young cherubs can often beguile us adults. Fairchild also knits it all together with ease, even managing to unobtrusively insert actual footage of the Coronation parade into the joyous climax. The child actors are thankfully, very likable, especially Dudley who is simply adorable, and the cast is a roll call of British film treasures. Stand outs are Sid James at his grumpy best as John's father, Hyde-White is classy and correct, Jenkins as usual delivers a memorable female touch and Lister scores high as a tart with a heart. Peter Sellers fans should note he has only a small role, that of a good old British Bobby.Of its time for sure, but that is a good thing here. A true spirit lifting film and a beacon of unadulterated joy for the child in all of us. 8/10

ianlouisiana "The Man with the Golden Trumpet" they called Eddie Calvert who came up through the Brass bands of Northern England to headline at Variety theatres throughout the U.K and what remained of the Empire.His big hits like "Oh mein Papa","Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" and "John and Julie" coincided - rather like the Coronation - with the Empire's last gleaming.African chiefs in colourful robes smiled unthreateningly,Queen Salote of Tonga disdained the use of an umbrella during the procession,Young Elizabethans all over the country crowded round the two or three Television sets per street and peered at their 12" or 14" screens aware that in a few days time they would have to be writing an essay "What I did on Coronation Day". For John and Julie that would have proved a mammoth task. Coming up to London to see the procession,they become separated from their parents and meet an Ealingesque cross - section of the population before being restored to the bosom of their Enid Blyton - like family. There is a sunny assumption that every adult is not a potential paedophile but a helpful protective presence that it would take a naive filmmaker to replicate today."John and Julie"'s touching innocence is one of its attractions in an infinitely more hostile world. Sumptuously coloured,it evokes the world of "Eagle",,"Spangles" "Dollar" bubblegum,"Muffin the Mule" and "Mr Turnip",all of whom John and Julie would have been aware of. How fortunate they were to have been growing up in such exciting times. In retrospect the Coronation can be seen as the last true evocation of the spirit of the Blitz where class divisions were laid aside,old enmities put on hold and most of Britain spoke with one voice of optimism and hope fuelled by respect for the monarchy in the person of the bright,fresh young queen who represented so many hopes and dreams. Just eight years after the end of the second world war the New Elizabethans gave notice that the country was under new management after years of austerity and sacrifice."John and Julie" personifies that optimism in its purest form.

Jellie I saw this movie when it first came out in the l950's. It's the story of a little boy and girl called John and Julie who want very desperately to attend the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth IInd. When it becomes apparent that their parents can't take them they run away together to London and the film is the story of their little adventure and the things that happened to them. There is a chance they may not see the Queen.... It is funny and the children are very appealing.The background music for the film is very melodic. This music was recorded by trumpet player Eddie Calvert. The little girl, Julie was played by Lesley Dunlop, who acted in the early l990's in a British TV serial called "May to December", playing the part of Zoe Callender.