Way to the Stars
Many years ago I saw The Flare Path by Terence Rattigan in a theatre in Bath. I was most impressed by it and I long remembered the wail of the violin in the Pit Orchestra.
I was unaware that it had been adapted into Way to the Stars in a 1945 film. I suppose I was too young to have seen it and in those days so many films were made that there were few re-runs. Many years later I fleetingly saw the movie whose storyline was vaguely familiar, possibly on TV.
It was not until I saw the film in its entirety that I realised what a fine movie it was and I particularly remember its theme music by Nick Brodsky and Charles Williams and realised where I had first heard John Pudney’s famous poem Johnny in the Clouds
FOR JOHNNY
Do not despair.........For Johnny-head-in-air;
He sleeps as sound.....As Johnny underground.
Fetch out no shroud....For Johnny-in-the-cloud;
And keep your tears....For him in after years.
Better by far..........For Johnny-the-bright-star,
To keep your head......And see his children fed.
It is an outstanding film which has not dated. I recommend it strongly