Released in 1959, tense crime thriller NO TREES IN THE STREET saw J. Lee Thompson move further towards social realism, as the British trend for the 'kitchen sink drama' began. Adapted by TV and theatre writer Ted Willis from his own stage play (his screenplay received a BAFTA nomination), Thompson cast Sylvia Syms as Hetty, a sweet young woman who desperately tries to stop her younger teenage brother Tommy (Melvyn Hayes) descending in to crime in the slums of pre-war East London, whilst Hetty's mother urges her to take up with Wilkie (Herbert Lom), a smooth local racketeer, in an attempt to raise the family out of poverty.
J. Lee Thompson, Sylvia Syms and Ted Willis had previously collaborated on the award-winning Woman in a Dressing Gown (1957) and Ice Cold in Alex (1958). Thompson and Willis worked with producer Frank Godwin to produce well-received films with strong female protagonists that pre-empted the British New wave by several years.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- NEW 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM
- NEW The Highs and Lows of Kennedy Matthew Sweet on No Trees in the Street
- NEW Passion & Poverty: An interview with Melanie Williams
- NEW Melvyn Hayes on No Trees in the Street
- Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery
- Original Trailer
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature