The Smashing Bird I Used to Know
The Smashing Bird I Used to Know is a 1969 British dramasexploitation film, directed by Robert HartfordDavis and starring Madeleine Hinde, Maureen Lipman, Patrick Mower and Dennis Waterman. As with other HartfordDavis films, The Smashing Bird I Used to Know contains elements from different genres including psychological drama and social commentary. It is best known however as a sexploitation piece featuring nudity, attempted rape and lesbianism. The film features the first screen credit of the then 15yearold LesleyAnne Down in a supporting role.
Nineyearold Nicki Johnson attends a funfair with her parents. Her father takes her on a merrygoround ride, where Nicki becomes frightened. Attempting to reach over to comfort her, her father instead falls from the ride and is crushed to death in its machinery. The tragedy leaves Nicki traumatised, particularly as in its aftermath she overhears comments suggesting that she was to blame for what happened, which leave her with a permanent sense of guilt.Seven years on and Nicki Hinde is a troubled and confused teenager living with her mother, plagued by flashback nightmares and with an obsession with horses and riding stemming from the merrygoround horror. Since being widowed, her mother Anne Rene Asherson has withdrawn emotionally from her daughter and has sought consolation with a succession of younger lovers. Her latest boyfriend Harry Mower, who Nicki detests, is a sleazy conartist who makes his living out of latching on to wealthy older women and fleecing them financially before moving on. Nicki is left largely to her own devices and often plays truant from school, spending the time with her boyfriend Peter Waterman. ........
Source: Wikipedia
