Carol Reed's A Kid For Two Farthings Restored In 4K

Thanks to technology, old films get a second chance with 4K restorations. Next month Studiocanal UK will release Carol Reed’s (The Third Man, The Fallen Idol) classic fable, A Kid For Two Farthings, on 4K!

Starring Celia Johnson (Brief Encounter, The Prime of Miss. Jean Brodie), Diana Dors (West 11, Yield to The Night), David Kossoff (I Am a Camera, The Mouse That Roared) and Jonathan Ashmore in his sole acting role, the film is packed with memorable ing characters including the affectionate Mrs Abramowitz (Irene Handl), blowsy fashionista Lady Ruby (Brenda de Banzie) crooked jewellery salesman Ice Berg (Sid James) and finicky tailor Madam Rita (Sydney Tafler).

Adapted by Wolf Mankowitz (Casino Royale, The Day the Earth Caught Fire) from his own novel, A Kid For Two Farthings was Carol Reed‘s first film in colour and would be his last British production until Oliver! thirteen years later. Partly filmed on location in Petticoat Lane, the film is a rare example of a genuine Anglo-Jewish film that portrays a thriving Jewish community in the East End of the 1950s.

The new 4K restoration of A Kid For Two Farthings comes complete with brand-new extras and is the newest addition to the ever-expanding Vintage Classics Collection from STUDIOCANAL.

In the vibrant Petticoat Lane community of East London, amidst the hustle and bustle of the ancient market, small shops and open-air vendors, Joe (Jonathan Ashmore) lives with his mother, Joanne (Celia Johnson) above the Kandinsky tailor shop, where Joanne also works. Joe is innocently and earnestly determined to make the lives of his impoverished, hard-working neighbours better. Hearing Mr. Kandinsky (David Kossoff) tell a tale that a captured unicorn will grant any wish, Joe uses his accumulated pocket money to buy a goat with a single emerging horn, believing it to be a unicorn. His efforts to make dreams come true make this an enchanting film that explores the power of hope amidst hardship, through a child’s eyes.

EXTRAS MATERIAL

New Memory Lane: video essay by Ella Taylor
New Dreams and Work: an interview with Jonathan Ashmore
The Bespoke Overcoat (1955, Jack Clayton) – A brand new restoration of the Academy Award-winning short film written by Wolf Mankowitz and starring David Kossof and Alfie Bass
All in a Day’s Work: Vera Day looks back
Audio interview with Joe Robinson (2006)
Lobby Cards Gallery
Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery

A Kid With Two Farthings will be available to own on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital from 26th February.