Figure 1.--

Mark's parents said at the time that they would not force him to continue in films, but Mark decided to do so. I don't think, however, that any thing else he did ever approached "Oliver!" His next film was "Run Wild, Run Free" (1969). Some reviewers were impressed. One reported "Mark Lester, the endearing Oliver of "Oliver!", is charming and affecting as the blond, inhibited boy desperate to communicate who finally finds his voice and the communication he yearns for through his and patient friends." Mark joined Jack Wild again in "Melody" (1971), the story of two rebellious boys of opposing backgrounds who study at a depressed London elementary school. The boys all wear long pants. Next he played in "Eyewitness" ("Sudden Terror") (1970) and he and his family traveled to Malta. "Eyewitness" was a remake of the Cornell Woolrich story, "The Boy Who Called Wolf" which Bobby Driscoll so effectively played in "The Window" (1949). Next Mark came to the United States for a multi-part Disney special, "The Boy Who Stole the Elephant." While in California he appeared on several TV series as a guest star. He returned to England for the rather absurd gothic thriller "Who Slew Aunty Roo?" (1972). He was the older brother in a "Hansel and Grettle" type story. He was costumed in short, but rather long shorts, apparently to make him look like a little boy even, even though he was 14 years old.

Mark's Career

Mark's parents said at the time that they would not force him to continue in films, but Mark decided to do so. One HBC reader complains, "It's too bad that Mark's his parents didn't use better judgement in selecting films for this talented child actor. "What the Peeper Saw" and "Redneck" were I think rather inappropriate films. He should have continued to make better quality films (like "Run Wild...", "Oliver!", and "Melody").

Specific Films

Mark made quite a number of films in his career. I don't think, however, that any thing else he did ever approached "Oliver!"

Run Wild, Run Free (1969)

Mark's next film was "Run Wild, Run Free" (1969). Some reviewers were impressed. One reported "Mark Lester, the endearing Oliver of "Oliver!", is charming and affecting as the blond, inhibited boy desperate to communicate who finally finds his voice and the communication he yearns for through his and patient friends." Mark gave a very emotional performance which required mostly acting without speaking. He wore jeans instead of shorts which seem strange for 1969 England. He gave a similar performance in an episode of the American TV series "Then Came Bronson" where he played an autistic child. Few child actors could cry as heartbreakingly and realistically as Mark could. He could really melt your heart.

Melody (1971)

Mark joined Jack Wild again in "Melody" (1971), the story of two rebellious boys of opposing backgrounds who study at a depressed London school. Terrific film reuniting him with "Oliver!" costar Jack Wild. Nice score by the Bee Gees. Tracy Hyde was also quite good in the title role. The students all wear a black blazer. The boys all wear long grey pants. HBC is not sure what kind of school was set in. One HBC reader says a primary school. HBC has not seen the film, but the uniform looks more like a comprehensive school uniform. One HBC reader comments, "Strange that the boys wore long trousers with the school uniforms in that film, since it took place in the early 70s." Actually shorts were becoming quite rare at comprehensives by the 1970s.

Eyewitness/Sudden Terror (1970)

Next he played in "Eyewitness" ("Sudden Terror") (1970) and he and his family traveled to Malta. "Eyewitness" was a remake of the Cornell Woolrich story, "The Boy Who Called Wolf" which Bobby Driscoll so effectively played in "The Window" (1949).

The Boy Who Stole the Elephant

Next Mark came to the United States for a multi-part Disney special, "The Boy Who Stole the Elephant." He wore contemporary American casual clothing. While in California he appeared on several TV series as a guest star.

Who Slew Aunty Roo?" (1972)

He returned to England for the rather absurd gothic thriller "Who Slew Aunty Roo?" (1972). He was the older brother in a "Hansel and Grettle" type story. He was costumed in short, but rather long shorts, apparently to make him look like a little boy even, even though he was by that time 14 years old.

What the Peeper Saw

Mark wore typical school shorts in "What the Peeper Saw".

Black Beauty

Mark wore casual clothes, shirts and sweaters, jackets and the like were pretty much period stuff for "Black Beauty".

Redneck

Created: August 5, 2002
Last updated: August 5, 2002