"Leather Boys," along with "Rockers," "Ton-up boys" and "Café Racers" were terms applied to members of a biker subculture that originated in the United Kingdom during the 1950s· It was mainly centered on British café racer motorcycles and rock 'n' roll music· "Leather Boys" does not relate directly with the leather subculture denoted by practices and styles of dress organized around sexual activities that involve leather garments· Gaymen who are associated with the "leather" subculturte are often known as "leathermen"· However, both terms likely derive from the leather protective clothing worn by motorcyclists·
The "Ace Cafe" featured in the film was a well known truck stop, also known as a transport cafe in the United Kingdom· Founded in 1938, it continue until 1969, during which time it became a popular hang-out for young Leather Boys (see links)· (After some 25 years, a new Ace Cafe was opened)·
The Leather Boys is notable as an early example of a film that violated the Hollywood production code, yet was still shown in the United States, as well as an important film in the genre of queer cinema· An example of British kitchen sink realism, it was considered daring in 1964 as male homosexuality is a major element in the plot·
The production quality of the region 2 DVD in my collection is mediocre· The strong South London accents makes it especially hard for my American ear to understand · There are no captions which would help immensely·
There is little question that this film is an important film of queer cinema heritage.