The Children’s Film Foundation (CFF) was a UK non-profit organization (1951–1980s) dedicated to producing high-quality films for children’s Saturday morning cinema matinees. Funded by the industry-wide Eady Levy, it produced over 170 films, focusing on adventure, comedy, and mystery, often featuring young actors in, or visiting, urban and rural British landscapes.
Thanks to the British Film Institute, a number of these films have been released to DVD, and the Children’s Film Foundation Bumper Box Vol 6 is the latest collection. Across three discs, you can find nine features, five shorts and a new short documentary that gives a flavour of the kind of productions that enthralled four generations.
Features
Mystery on Bird Island (1954), directed by John Hegarty, has a group of children trying to outwit smugglers on the island of Burnou, a protected bird sanctuary. It has a definite Enid Blyton feel and could be a lost instalment in the adventures of the Famous Five. Beautifully filmed locations and strong acting make this one a keeper.
One Wish Too Many (1956), directed by John Durst, is an amusing tale of a young boy who finds a magic marble and causes all kinds of problems by making it change aspects of his life.
The Cat Gang (1958), directed by Darrell Catling, is about smuggling again, but has particular interest with early career appearances from Francesca Annis and Jeremy Bulloch. The children are awfully posh in their picture-perfect village but this story does have a certain charm.
Rockets in the Dunes (1960), directed by William C. Hammond, has a group of children trying to save their beach from becoming an Army training base. There are few rockets on view, and although the script has humour, it comes across as particularly NIMBY.
Davey Jones’ Locker (1965), directed by Frederick Goode, benefits from excellent location filming in Malta and a fine supporting performance from Anthony Bate trying to rein in a boy who sets out to cause trouble under the water. This film has Susan George in an early role.
Lionheart (1968), directed by Michael Forlong, is about an escaped lion and the young boy who protects him from the adults who want to kill him. An excellent supporting cast including Joe Brown and Irene Handl distract from the rather wooden performance of James Forong in the lead, and make this well worth a look.
Smokey Joe’s Revenge (1974), directed by Ronald Spencer, is a charming and funny tale of a traction engine with a mind of its own, and a group of children who restore it and enter it in a contest. It’s hugely entertaining to see the children get one over the adults, and the direction is sharp.
Black Island (1979), directed by Ben Bolt, has Michael Elphick as one of a pair of convicts hiding out on an island. When a couple of boys wander off from their school trip and take a boat across, they find themselves in a lot of trouble. It loses its way after a strong start, but allows the young actors to shine.
Danger on Dartmoor (1980), directed by David Eady, is clearly inspired by the Sherlock Holmes novel The Hound of the Baskervilles, with Barry Foster and Patricia Hayes making up for a lacklustre young cast.
Shorts
Forest Pony! (a 1972 edit of the 1949 serial Riders of the New Forest) – slow-moving despite being edited down from a 1-hour 22-minute serial. Notable for including an acting performance as Davy from the future founder of Ann Summers.
Five O’Clock Finish (1954) – amusing short with Peter Butterworth as the put-upon workman, who has slapstick adventures in the garage working on cars and then out on the road taking a motorbike back to its owner.
The episode Billy the Kid from the series The Magnificent Six and ½ (1968) – running from 1968 to 1972, the Magnificent Six (and a half) had 18 ‘misadventures’ that feel influenced just a little by Our Gang/Little Rascals with slapstick situations and silly sound effects. Entertaining filler/
The episode Room to Let from the series The Chiffy Kids (1976) – problem-solving children again, with a nice appearance from Irene Handl.
Our Magazine No 6 (1954) – a cinemagazine with stories featuring children.
A CFF Production from Jason Gurr: Johnny on the Run (2025). If you are wondering, the film this is about is not on this set but can be found on Runaways, a previous BFI box set released in 2014. This may whet your appetite to watch it.
Verdict
As with the previous five Bumper Box sets and collections, CFF films from various decades are assembled together. The Bumper Box sets have no theme, so it really offers a variety of examples of the work of the Foundation. The quality of all the films is very good, although there are no subtitles or audio commentaries.
The accompanying illustrated booklet gives context and information on the films and the CFF, with a touch of nostalgia and affection. There are moments of trivia as well as information. Anyone who remembers the series or has an interest in viewing some of its highlights will want this set, and probably all the others!
Children’s Film Foundation: Bumper Box Vol 6 is available from 6 Apr and can be pre-ordered now. Details here and at major retailers.