Our “EVENING AT THE MOVIES” held at Upton Village Hall on Sunday 17th February was a mega success, thanks to a team of volunteers who gave their time and expertise in providing a marvelous social event.
Not to be confused with Community Cinema, our “Evening At The Movies” reminds everyone of how important film and cinemas were to the people of Chester. It gave us an opportunity to run our new “Cinemas Of Chester” video which was met with such enthusiasm by the audience, many commented that they were amazed at the research that had gone into the making of this 35 minute “Epic”. The exhibition of rare cinema memorabilia was a BIG hit with everyone who came along to the event.
A capacity audience
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This year complimentary wine, refreshments and ice cream were served throughout the evening.
“Young Frankenstein” proved to be a winner, keeping the audience roaring with laughter.
Our main sponsors – FLOODS PROPERTIES were more than generous with their donations to the charity raffle.
Photos from – David A Ellis & Karl Cleveley
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Carry on films first made an appearance in 1958 with the debut film ‘Carry on sergeant’. It was the start of a long run of Carry Ons, known for there double meanings and seaside postcard humour. The films were usually made in around six weeks at Pinewood Studios. There was rarely anymore than three takes on a scene because of the tight budgets, and the actors certainly weren’t paid Hollywood bucks.
Ernest Steward BSC (1910-1990) and Alan Hume BSC (1924-2010) were the regular directors of photography. Hume’s son Martin became a camera operator and worked with his father on ‘Carry On Columbus’ (1992). Martin’s brother was the focus puller. Martin said everyone was in fits of laughter. The cast and crew were usually the same people.
The films were produced by Peter Rogers (1914-2009), and directed by Gerald Thomas (1920-1993). Rogers would be present on the set having an office installed on it. It may be because of the the time allowed for shooting, which contributed to a number of continuity mistakes.
In “Carry on Camping” there is a scene where Barbra Winsor is doing exercises. It is the famous scene where her bra goes flying. This, by the way was achieved by a fish hook being used to send it flying towards Kenneth Williams. Behind Williams stood Hattie Jaques, dressed in blue with a hat on her head. There is a cutaway, and then it cuts back to Williams. The hat is missing from Hattie’s head. Cutaway again, then back, and the hat returns. There are several others in the film, including a girl walking past a window twice.
Film locations never stretched to faraway places, the budgets would just not allow it. In ‘Carry On, Follow That Camel’ (1967) location work took place at Camber Sands in East Sussex. Some out door shots in ‘Carry on up the Kyber’ (1968) were filmed at Pinewood. The films were great fun to make and there was a lot of laughter during production. The films were first released by Anglo Amalgamated and shown on the ABC circuit. Later, they were distributed by Rank and were then first screened on Rank’s Odeon circuit.
David A Ellis © chestercinemas.co.uk
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