Figure 1.--Here Sammy is with some african children as he moves south toward toward Durban.

An English boy named Sammy (Fergus McClelland)--a little blond chap, tries to cross Africa alone to reach is aunt. His parents are killed and he sets off south to Durban. Sammy is dressed in shorts throughout, khaki bush-shorts. He is often pictured bedraggled as a result of his travels. At one point the boy is taken in by the French Ambassador of one of the countries he ends up in and the ambassador's wife has him bathed, takes away his old clothes, and buys him a new suit. The boy eventually runs off again -The boy plays the part quite nicely, none of the smarty child actor bit. Worth watching as it is a well produced film. The movie ends when he arrives, but you could imagine a nice sequel. She lives in a plush home with a little girl (dressed in a white frock) who first sees Sammy. "A Boy Ten Feet Tall" was the American release title. The actual title was "Sammy Going South".

Filmology

Worth watching as it is a well produced film. "A Boy Ten Feet Tall" was the American release title. The actual title was "Sammy Going South". This is a great - and under-rated film. A sequel would be in order, but the production company went bust when the film flopped at the box. The film actually is quite niceky done. I am not sure why it was not more successful at the a box office.

Cast

The main character Sammy is played by Fergus McClelland. That of course is a Scottish name. He was born in England (1950), and grew up in Bayswater, a residential area in the middle of London. He was the son of actor Allan McClelland. Fergus was about 11 years old when the film was shot. He does a wonderful job with the role. He was a schoolboy when he was chosen for the film. This was his first movie role. Fergus the following year was in "The Pumkin Eater" (1964) and then did a lot of television during the rest of the 1960s. Fergus plays the part quite nicely, none of the smarty mouth child actor attitude bit. Fergus tells us about his experience making the film, "About 4,000 boys applied when the word went around. My father was an actor, so his agent told him of the interviews. I had grown up in Bayswater and had become a toughie in school and street -- and had no trace of professional actor about me. Indeed, after they chose me, they sent me for elocution lessons with Cicely Berry. (She later became the queen of voice coaching. Ironically, I now do an enormous amount of voice coaching in my work.) The director wanted fresh and original and tough. When there was a photo shoot with him, the producer and the owner of the film company, I insisted on taking the comb from the secretary's hand to comb my own hair. The director said that was when he thought 'This boy is tough enough to realistically play Sammy.' Sammy was supposed to be small, slim and dark-haired, so the director went against type when he chose me! The director insisted I find my own way to each scene and did it my way. There were a few shots that were heavily coached by him, but not many. The whole experience was great fun and very hard work. We were all disappointed at the box office. I think one reason was the Big Freeze that year. A lot of people didn't want to go out in the evening in such terrible weather. There was also some unfortunate cutting to make it fit for "U" certificate that removed some of the raw power of the film. It is still talked about by many who saw it. I had always wanted to be an actor. At age 20, I stopped to do other things -- entirely my choice. I wanted to go further than acting -- to write, direct and star in a film, but I knew I hadn't lived enough. In the end, I got stuck into other things and am now a presentation and voice coach and public speaker - which I love." [McClelland]

Setting

The film is set in Africa, but not just in one area of Africa. The shoot spanned the entire continent from Egypt south to South Africa. The time depicted is 1956 as the Suez crisis is unfolding.

Figure 2.--Sammy for most of the film wore a kind of bush outfit--khaki shirt and shorts.

Plot

An English boy named Sammy--a little blond chap, tries to cross Africa alone to reach is aunt. The film begins in Port Said, Egypt. Sammy is playing indoors, forbidden to go outside by his other. The radio carries news of the developing Syuez Crisis, but all this goes over Sammy's head. He hears his parents arguing about what to do about Sammy--possibly sending him to Aunt Jane in Durban, South Africa where it will be safe. Sammy runs outdoors to retrieve his helicopter which flew out the window. Soldier rush by. Then British bombers strike. His parents are killed. His friend Mahmoud turns on him. Not knowing what to do, Sammy decided to head for Aunt Jane. His toy whistle has a compass and he knows South Africa is located South. He has no idea just how far south. He has many adventures with a Syrian merchant, American tourist, pilgrim, diamoind smmuggler, hunter, and others. The diamond smuggler, Cocky, in particular is charmed by Sammy. He convince his Aunt to let him finish the journey on his own. The movie ends when Sammy arrives at his aunt's home, but you could imagine a nice sequel. She lives in a plush home with a little girl (dressed in a white frock) who first sees Sammy.

Costuming

Sammy is dressed in shorts throughout, khaki bush-shorts. He is often pictured bedraggled as a result of his travels. At one point the boy is taken in by the French Ambassador of one of the countries he ends up in and the ambassador's wife has him bathed, takes away his old clothes, and buys him a new suit. I think he keeps on the new clothes, which soon become tattered.When he arrives at his Aunt's he is also able to wear the leopard skin that a smuggler he fell in with (Edward G.Robinson) has left for him (the boy had shot the animal).

Reader Comment

A British reader provides his boyhood reactions to the film. He writes, "I saw this movie as boy in Blackburn and recall ny reactions at the time. I was angry when he was cornered by the Arab kids early in the film and they beat him up. I was ready to go and save him and bash the lot of um up! Then he sets off and I think for a time he was a captive. Edward G Robinson was a big Game hunter in this story. I also recall the end when he reached Durban, the little girl playing on the steps and up walks her cousin--The scuffiest boy in town. The film ended then. Was he accepted or sent back to England?. He was a plucky little kid. I found some of the film scary, the thought of being alone in the world and little. He was a brave British Boy!"

Sources

McClelland, Fergus. E-mail message, May 19, 2010. nicegentle1@yahoo.com

Created: December 27, 2003
Last updated: 5:53 PM 5/19/2010