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Drama

The Smashing Bird I Used to Know (1969): Cast & Plot

The Smashing Bird I Used to Know (1969) movie poster

The Smashing Bird I Used to Know is a 1969 drama directed by Robert Hartford-Davis, starring Madeleine Hinde as Nicki Johnson, David Lodge and Renée Asherson. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes.

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The Smashing Bird I Used to Know (1969) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 35m (95 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Smashing Bird I Used to Know About?

The premise of The Smashing Bird I Used to Know without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A traumatized, troubled teen is placed in a strict all‑girls detention facility that feels like a perfumed zoo for adolescent “she‑cats.” Within its oppressive walls she forms an unlikely, deep friendship with another inmate, navigating their shared pain and the surreal, scented environment as they confront authority and their own pasts.

The Smashing Bird I Used to Know Themes & Keywords

· 23 tags
  • voyeur
  • lingerie
  • female nudity
  • women's prison
  • lesbian
  • female full frontal nudity
  • sexual desire
  • sexual assault
  • female female kiss
  • voyeurism
  • blonde
  • female frontal nudity
+11 more
  • nudity
  • lesbianism
  • independent film
  • legs
  • women in prison
  • teenage girl as protagonist
  • teenage protagonist
  • traumatized protagonist
  • teenager
  • female in a shower
  • female topless nudity
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Cast & crew

The Smashing Bird I Used to Know Cast & Characters

Madeleine Hinde leads the cast as Nicki Johnson, with David Lodge as Richard Johnson and Renée Asherson as Anne Johnson. Directed by Robert Hartford-Davis; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Smashing Bird I Used to Know

· 16 more
From the director

More from Robert Hartford-Davis

More films directed by Robert Hartford-Davis: The Take, Black Gunn, Blood Suckers and Corruption.

Full filmography
Plot

The Smashing Bird I Used to Know Plot Summary

What happens in The Smashing Bird I Used to Know from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Nine-year-old Nicki Johnson Madeleine Hinde visits a funfair with her parents, and on a merry-go-round her father, Richard Johnson David Lodge, reaches over to comfort her and is crushed to death by the machinery. The tragedy leaves Nicki profoundly traumatised, and she overhears comments that place the blame on her, weaving a permanent sense of guilt into her memory that lingers as she grows up.

Full summary

The whole story of The Smashing Bird I Used to Know, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

The Smashing Bird I Used to Know Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Hell House Girls 1973 theatrical trailer
  • Trailer Girls of Shame 1969 Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Smashing Bird I Used to Know?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the nine‑year‑old girl whose trauma drives the story?

Details

The Smashing Bird I Used to Know Also Known As

6 alternative titles, including “House of Unclaimed Women” and “Hell House Girls”.

Also known as
  • House of Unclaimed Women
  • Hell House Girls
  • School for Unclaimed Girls
  • Wahn der süßen Jugend
  • Girls of Shame
  • 无人管教的女校

Seen The Smashing Bird I Used to Know?

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Movies Like The Smashing Bird I Used to Know

Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Big Bird Cage, Little Birds and A Smell of Honey, a Swallow of Brine.

FAQ

The Smashing Bird I Used to Know FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Smashing Bird I Used to Know, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Smashing Bird I Used to Know?

The Smashing Bird I Used to Know runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).

When was The Smashing Bird I Used to Know released?

The Smashing Bird I Used to Know was released on August 25, 1969.

Who directed The Smashing Bird I Used to Know?

The Smashing Bird I Used to Know was directed by Robert Hartford-Davis.

More films by Robert Hartford-Davis

Who is in the cast of The Smashing Bird I Used to Know?

The Smashing Bird I Used to Know stars Madeleine Hinde as Nicki Johnson, David Lodge as Richard Johnson and Renée Asherson as Anne Johnson, among 20 credited actors.

Does The Smashing Bird I Used to Know have a post-credit scene?

No. The Smashing Bird I Used to Know has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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