The cast and crew of Bugsy Malone have shared memories of the chaos and camaraderie behind the 1976 classic, which premiered 50 years ago. The film, a spoof of gangster movies featuring an all-child cast and cream-shooting splurge guns, was a hit in the UK and won five Baftas.
A Unique Idea Born from Bedtime Stories
Director Alan Parker conceived the idea for the film after telling stories to his children during car journeys. Bonnie Langford, who played singer Lena Marelli, recalled: 'Alan had a house in Derbyshire, and he used to put the kids in the back of the car ... On the way there, he would tell them stories, and they came up with the idea of this gangster movie for kids.' Sheridan Earl Russell, who played Knuckles, noted that Parker struggled to secure funding because the cast was entirely children.
Casting the Young Stars
Parker visited drama clubs and stage schools to find talent. Dexter Fletcher, who played Baby Face, was discovered at the Anna Scher Theatre school in Islington. 'Alan came down with one of the early video cameras, and we all learned a scene and performed it. I was one of the lucky kids who he plucked out,' Fletcher said. Jodie Foster, then 13, joined after filming Taxi Driver, bringing her experience to the role of Tallulah.
Filming Chaos at Pinewood Studios
The shoot began in July 1975 at Pinewood Studios and a former biscuit factory in Reading. Jeff Stevenson, who played Louis, described it as 'the best summer camp ever.' Fletcher added: 'In the biscuit factory where we filmed one scene, there were four boxes of biscuits, and it turned into complete mayhem. Everyone was throwing biscuits at each other.'
Parker's Directing Style
Parker was known for his hands-on approach. 'He talked to us like he was a youth club leader,' Stevenson said. Fletcher noted: 'What he did brilliantly was that he understood that kids don't analyse ... He could just say: “Look sad, look scared, look happy.”' However, Parker's swearing often drew reprimands from chaperones, according to Earl Russell.
Jodie Foster on Set
Foster, already a seasoned actor, had early call times. 'She always had a 6am call. It took three hours [for makeup and hair],' Earl Russell said. Camera crew member Brian Harris recalled: 'When she was on set, she was like an adult. She had charisma, and she was treated as a star.' Fletcher remembered Foster trying to cheer him up during his distressing bowl haircut by making a moustache from his hair trimmings.
Musical Numbers and Splurge Guns
The film's songs were by Paul Williams, with adult vocals mimed by the children. Langford learned her song on the day of filming after Parker asked if she could sing a new number. The splurge guns initially used a mixture that irritated eyes, so they switched to watered-down lemon curd. Stevenson recalled: 'We only had one go at the big ending when it was all splurge being thrown over us. I remember that was very exciting.'
Premiere and Legacy
The film premiered at Cannes in May 1976, competing for the Palme d'Or. Producer David Puttnam drove the reels to the festival in a VW Beetle. 'They screened the film, and they carried Alan out of the theatre on their shoulders,' Fletcher said. Bugsy Malone won five Baftas and was nominated for an Oscar. It later became a West End stage musical in 1983, starring Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Fletcher reflected: 'What’s beautiful about the film is that it’s funny, it’s heartfelt, it’s clever, it’s genuine, but it’s not sentimental. I can watch it as an adult and enjoy it equally as much as a kid.' Langford added: 'It just has a great charm and wit, and there’s a mixture of nostalgia and fun about it.' A special 50th anniversary screening takes place at BFI Southbank.
