Expresso Bongo (1959)

In the vibrant and seedy heart of 1950's Soho, we meet Johnny Jackson, a crafty talent agent with an eye for the next big thing. Eager to strike it rich, he stumbles upon Bert Rudge, a young singer performing in a coffee house who harbours an unassuming affinity for playing the bongos. Seeing the diamond in the rough, Johnny disregards Bert's humble bongo dreams, instead envisioning a glitzy future bathed in fame and fortune. He rebrands the unsuspecting Bert as 'Bongo Herbert', thrusting him into the limelight of the television industry. The deal they forge is a crafty web spun by Johnny, exploiting Bert's raw talent and naive trust. Bongo Herbert's meteoric rise to stardom seems like a jackpot for the opportunistic Johnny, but his eagerness to capitalise on his newfound goldmine blinds him to his own inexperience. As Johnny grapples with handling a successful artist, the balance of their relationship teeters dangerously. He soon realizes he's ill-equipped to navigate the stormy seas of fame and fortune, and his naiveté begins to show. Amidst the glitz, glamour, and greed, Johnny finds himself in over his head, and he risks losing everything in the ruthless game of showbiz. "Expresso Bongo" is a captivating tale of ambition, exploitation, and the intoxicating allure of success, set against the backdrop of a time and place where dreams are as easily made as they are shattered.

Expresso Bongo is a comedy movie featuring Wilfrid Lawson and directed by Val Guest.

Expresso Bongo is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and Tubi TV and it's also available on Cohen Media Amazon Channel and Fandor Amazon Channel.

It is also possible to buy Expresso Bongo on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Kino Now, Vudu and YouTube.