This film is part of Rentals
Tides of Laughter
A female ‘end-of-the-pier’ double act find out a surprising secret about their landlady - and about each other.
Director: Paul Oremland
Overview
Double act Joy and Dot find themselves playing to diminishing audiences on Cromer Pier in 1958. Luckily, they have each other. One day they sneak into their landlady’s bedroom and discover a secret that has consequences for their relationship. Alongside the drama, variety entertainers from the era, including circuit stalwarts Iris Sadler and Bryan Burdon, fondly recall ‘end-of-the-pier’ culture.
Tides of Laughter is an unusual entry in the Six of Hearts TV series, which explored queer lives in the UK. It's the only fictional episode (although the talking heads interspersed within the story add a lot of colour). Strangely, homosexuality is almost an afterthought in the screenplay - it’s more interested in seaside entertainment culture, on and off the stage. Gilly Coman would go on to star in Carla Lane’s Bread, although the best performance is from stage actor Pamela Lane, who brings great pathos to the role of the intensely private landlady whose secret love is discovered by her guests.
Related
Orlando Orlando
Fantasy 1993 93 mins Director: Sally Potter
Tilda Swinton stars in Sally Potter's dazzling interpretation of Virginia Woolf's novel.
Caught Looking Caught Looking
Drama 1991 35 mins Director: Constantine Giannaris
Years before Grindr, a gay man turns to virtual reality to satisfy his sexual fantasies in this strangely prophetic short film.
The Crying Game The Crying Game
Drama 1992 112 mins Director: Neil Jordan
Neil Jordan's acclaimed 1992 drama-mystery tells the story of Fergus (Stephen Rea), who looks after the lover (Jaye Davidson) of a British soldier he once knew. But what is Dil hiding?
50 Years Legal 50 Years Legal
Documentary 2017 77 mins Director: Simon Napier-Bell
Five decades on from the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality, a range of LGBTQ+ stars (including Sir Elton John and Stephen Fry) reflect on Britain's history of prejudice, persecution and liberation.
Rebel Dykes Rebel Dykes
Documentary 2021 91 mins Director: Harri Shanahan and Sîan Williams
A brilliant and refreshing story of UK post-punk dyke culture, told by those who lived it.
Ammonite Ammonite
Biopic 2021 118 mins Director: Francis Lee
Francis Lee follows up God’s Own Country with a film that is every bit as immersive, tactile and emotionally powerful, aided by the devastatingly good Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan.
Mysterious Ways Mysterious Ways
Drama 2023 90 mins Director: Paul Oremland
Paul Oremland’s impassioned drama is a searing critique of the church’s attitude towards the LGBTQI+ community.
A Boy Called Mary A Boy Called Mary
1986 52 mins Director: Paul Oremland
The fabulous life and times of queer writer Kris Kirk, who became one of the UK’s most influential music journalists.
Tall Dark Stranger Tall Dark Stranger
1986 48 mins Director: Paul Oremland
Are you ready to strut your stuff? Take a bracing, sexy cruise around the diverse 1980s gay scene.
Andy the Furniture Maker Andy the Furniture Maker
1986 53 mins Director: Paul Oremland
How did a cute, gay Essex boy go from oyster fishing to becoming the toast of the London arts scene?
William Tell William Tell
Action and Adventure 2024 133 mins Director: Nick Hamm
A peaceful huntsman is thrust into the heart of the resistance following an Austrian Empire invasion, in this gripping retelling of a timeless legend.
The Crime is Mine The Crime is Mine
Thriller 2022 103 mins Director: François Ozon
François Ozon’s witty 1930s farce about a penniless actress who finds fame while on trial for murder, featuring a riotous performance from Isabelle Huppert.
Barrio Boy Barrio Boy
Romance 2022 83 mins Director: Dennis Shinners
A Latino barber embarks on an erotically charged odyssey of self-discovery over one hot summer in Brooklyn.
Small Things Like These Small Things Like These
Drama 2024 99 mins Director: Tim Mielants
Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy delivers a stunning performance as a coal merchant who discovers horrific secrets about his local convent.
Rafiki Rafiki
Drama 2018 83 mins Director: Wanuri Kahiu
Romantic sparks fly between the daughters of two opposing politicians in Wanuri Kahiu’s neon-bright story of forbidden love in Kenya.
Luxor Luxor
Romance 2020 86 mins Director: Zeina Durra
Andrea Riseborough stars as an aid worker processing the trauma of working on the frontline on the Jordanian-Syrian border.