MovieChat Forums > Quadrophenia (1979) Discussion > Question about the baths scene...

Question about the baths scene...

posted 18 years ago by stopfief
23 replies | jump to latest

I thought I'd see this film recently, mainly because I've heard of it for as long as I can remember. I didn't think it was a masterpiece or anything, but it was pretty good.

I have one, possibly stupid, question though - the scene where Phil Daniels and Ray Winstone were arguing in the baths. Where were they, that they were taking baths? Was it a swimming pool? Maybe it's because I'm only 29, and the film was set before my time, but I was puzzled by that...

[–] splitster 18 years ago

In London you can still find public baths as they are called. You can go and have a wash for a couple of quid. In Bethnal green there is one. You can also get some old fudge to give you a scrub up with a load of soap lava. kinda like a turkis bath. They were still popular up until the 90's and some did have swimming baths. Local councils run them. Pie and mash shop are dying out too. There one in Chapple market and one in Bethnal Green. "Plenty licka please"

[–] stopfief 18 years ago

Cheers for the response! I live up north - I've never come across these public baths - if you said that to me, I would have assumed you meant the swimming pool. And you still have them? How you southerners live!

[–] lambrettaguy200 18 years ago

There's a couple of pie and mash shops around Chrisp St Market along the East India Dock Rd in Poplar. One of them's called Maureen's. They also do jellied eels (in the eels' own jelly of course - Hey - that should be popular with Japanese tourists !).

The public baths opposite the market is still there but closed for redevelopment.

You've heard of prehistoric Piltdown Man ? Come to Edinburgh today and meet Pilton Man !

[–] integralesixteenvalve 18 years ago

Read the excellent book 'Your Face Here' about the best British cult films ever made. As well as good chapters on the likes of Get Carter, The Wicker Man and If....., there is a superb chapter on Quadrophenia. It actually gives details of the locations used in Quadrophenia. Everywhere from where Jimmy's home was to the locations of both the pie and mash shop and the public baths.

'Culture, sophistication, a little bit more than an 'ot dog' You said it Bob!

[–] dazza262 18 years ago

There's a fantastic little pie and mash shop in Greenwich, near to the Cutty Sark. Always queue to get in, but well worth it if you want authentic London grub. Mmmmm.....pie and mash.

[–] djack55 18 years ago

Which has now sadly sold out to a burger shop!

[–] boffins 18 years ago

don't forget in the olden days it was a luxury to own a bath, lots of people had to use tin baths, Alf Garnett style. It's great if there's still a few left in the Smoke.

[–] lorrigirl 18 years ago

I was too fixated on the penises to follow the conversation.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] holly_doll 17 years ago

exactly

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] Steviep1 17 years ago

There Is Also A Great Pie And Mash Shop In Camden Called Castles The Best In London

Oi Oi Its Chalky The Ponce

[–] Sid-Blitzen 16 years ago

Pie and mash?

What goes into the pies? Chopped-up eels? Not my bag, man!

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] Londonlad2001221 16 years ago

The idea for pie mash was meant has a cheap meal, for the dockers and east enders dont forget it was a pretty poor area to live, Now tho, Its very expensive in some areas, In hoxton pie an mash for two could cost over a £10, But I mainly go to the one in Roman Road, which is the best in the East end there proper Pie and mash, If you go to the one in greenwhich, Which I dont like at all. But if you want a proper Pie and mash head to roman road there the best.

[–] am_buglet_82 15 years ago

Did the apartment buildings have bath tubs?

Did it depend on how much the rent was?

-Amanda

"She will remember your heart when men are fairy tales in storybooks written by rabbits"

[–] alcockell 15 years ago

I think it was down to the sewerage in the area.

[–] PurpleProseOfCairo 15 years ago

I always wondered what he said so I watched it with subtitles tonight - "Pile the licker on mate!"

I've always preferred mash to chips. I can't understand why chips became more popular - it's VHS v Betamax all over again. Pie and mash with "licker" - great! Eels? Nein danke.

[–] Adams5905 14 years ago

It’s ‘liquor’, semi-transparent gravy made from the juices of the meats used to fill the pies (it’s best not to ask what these are, either specie or cut), and parsley. It’s also traditional to eat the pie & mash with plenty of salt & pepper, and vinegar, as was shown in the movie. Quite some years ago, I came across Phil Daniels in a rather run-down pub in South London (long before his resurgence in popularity after Eastenders), which happened to be round the corner from one of the few decent P&M shops in South London. Contrary to popular belief, the dish originated in South East London, not in East London, which is only the part north of the river. The best shop, however, in my opinion, is Manze’s (run by one of the two great families in London-the other is Cooke’s) on Tower Bridge approach. Double-double with liquor on a cold foggy day…Luvverly!

I've seen things you people wouldn't believe...

[–] StonedRose 14 years ago

Which pub did you bump into him in?

[–] Adams5905 14 years ago

It wasn't the Post Office, in Streatham, which I understand he later bought a share in...It was somewhere in Merton/Morden...I've never been there before or since...I seem to remember it was near a large scrapyard. But since they've all long since disappeared, I dare say the pub has gone as well...And I no longer live in South London.

I've seen things you people wouldn't believe...

[–] filthycop 14 years ago

I used bath like that in about 1978 when we had no plumbing in our house while it was being done up.. but they don't exist anymore... they used to be part of a swimming baths...

[–] Londonlad2001221 14 years ago

The in south london is horrible, They use cheap pies out of iceland not very good at all.. If you want proper pie an mash head to roman road