Once A Jolly Swagman

Once a Jolly Swagman is the story of Bill Fox (Dirk Bogarde), a factory worker who dreams of fame and fortune as motorbike racer. After the standard romantic complications with "right" and "wrong" girl, the film arrives at its central crisis: Fox's attempts to organize a driver's union, and the repercussions he suffers because of this activity. The dedicated-but-dour Dirk Bogarde is complemented by Bonar Colleano, essaying another of his "wise guy Yank" characterizations as driver Tommy Possey. The speedway sequences are excellent. Though only his second film, Once a Jolly Swagman was Dirk Bogarde's first starring assignment.