Reading's 'Bugsy Malone' connection
This weekend is the 50th anniversary of the film's release
Last updated 24th Jul 2026
Fifty years ago the musical film Bugsy Malone was released.
Whilst most of it was filmed at Pinewood Studios certain scenes were shot in Reading.
The film used parts of the Huntley and Palmers biscuit factory for bar scenes set in "Fat Sam's Grand Slam" and the Dock 17 Warehouse. Several external scenes were filmed around Gasworks Road.
The all-child cast included Jodie Foster and Scott Baio who are seen in the picture above with director Alan Parker.
The filming took place in the summer of 1975 and coincided with the final months of the factory's biscuit production. By the film's release in 1976, the factory - once the biggest biscuit factory in the world - had closed making the film one of the last major events to happen at the famous site.
The movie with its splurge-firing guns was a great success winning five BAFTA's including best supporting actress for Jodie Foster. The music was nominated for an Oscar.
The film is now a much-loved classic and the stage version is regularly performed by schools and colleges.
A few months after it was filmed in 1975 Kate Winslett was born in Reading . Aged 11 she made her stage debut at the Hexagon theatre. The production was 'Bugsy Malone'.