MovieChat Forums > Brighton Rock (1951) Discussion > Why title 'Brighton Rock' ?

Why title 'Brighton Rock' ?

posted 13 years ago by cbee2
5 replies | jump to latest

Great film !
The end, when the record is playing was a clever and humorous surprise!

I wondered why was it called "Brighton Rock" ?
I saw no large seaside rock formation in the film.

I had to Google the answer.
I found it at Brighton Rock (novel) - Wikipedia;

"The title is a reference to a confectionery - (rock candy) - traditionally sold at seaside resorts, used as a metaphor for human character."

It looks and feels hard, but if you hit it, it will shatter.

This should be in the Trivia section of this movie.

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Flossieandflo 12 years ago

It's referenced briefly in the film, in the scene where Ida (Hermione Baddeley's character) is trying to get Rose to see sense over Pinkie. Rose claims people can change and reform, Ida tells her people can't and uses herself as an example as being like a stick of Brighton rock, Brighton written all the way through to the last bit.

[–] evilswede 12 years ago

In the book it is also, if ever so vaguely, suggested, that Hale's heart-failure was caused by the killers shoving a stick of Brighton Rock down his throat.

[–] nutsberryfarm 11 years ago

ouch!

A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.

[–] yj270 12 years ago

'Rock', whether it is 'Brighton Rock' or 'Blackpool Rock' is similar to a large candycane, sold at UK resorts as a promotional souvenir. The name of the resort forms part of a pattern, which runs the length of the candy stick. As you enjoy this British sweet, and it gets smaller, you still can see the name of the resort, across the diameter of the long, round stick of candy.

In the film, from 1:11:52 to 1:11:58, Hermione Baddeley (Ida) tells Carol Marsh (Rose), "I'm like those sticks of rock. Bite all the way down, and you'll still read 'Brighton'".

During the thirties, the British entertainer was known for singing the risque tune, "With my little Stick of Blackpool Rock".

The BBC censored the lyrics, due to its suggestive nature.