Tag: Film club

Drink plenty of fluids – Film night review

“Drink plenty of fluids…”that was the advice from Doctor Van Helsing (Peter Cushing) to one of Count Dracula’s victims – ”plenty of fluids : tea, coffee or better still, red wine”! So we did, and ate a hearty supper of Ghoulash (of course).

Saturday night’s extravaganza at WERFA was Dracula (Christopher Lee). The film cost £81,000 to make in 1958 and was the first of eight Hammer Film Productions of Dracula, this one directed by Terence Fisher. The 16mm film and projector on the night was an added treat.

There were plenty of other treats and travelling tips for us too- remember to pack a big-lapelled jacket for dinner, a long white dress, a couple of strings of garlic and don’t forget your mallet and stake, and pack it all into a tiny little leather bag. But Dracula,  his victims and visitors were a little under-dressed compared to our WERFA audience. We had dramatic collars, luscious red lips, oozing wounds, teetering heels, waist length flowing locks and yes, that was just the men! Joyce was magnificent in her purple-hatted witch costume and black lipstick, deserving her prize, and Bernard too with his revolting prop (courtesy of Les’s back-garden production facility).

We had a quiz, cabbage sound-effects, an introduction to the film from Tim, bats, severed limbs, skulls, cobwebs, grave-stones, delicious food and lots of laughs. Thanks to all the team – Bob, Catherine, Dick, Dom, Emily, Joyce, Les, Tim……for another great WERFA evening. Keep them coming!

Review of the Film Screening at WERFA – Sat 17th Sep 2016

We had another great turnout for the latest film screening event at the WERFA Pavilion on the evening of Saturday 17th September.

The evening began with the showing of a recently rediscovered silent newsreel featuring life behind the scenes at Worton Hall Studios in its heyday, followed by an informative and amusing presentation about some of the history of filmmaking at the Studios and the techniques used in the making of “Things to Come”, which was hosted by local historian Ed Harris, author of “Britain’s Forgotten Film Factory”.

Following a break for sausages and mash there then followed a full length screening of “Things to Come”, the prophetic and ambitious talkie film produced at Worton Hall in 1936, based on the work of H.G. Wells and featuring classic actors such as Ralph Richardson and Raymond Massey who would go on to be stalwarts of the British movie industry.

Please watch out for news of further film nights in WERFA News, the  website and on the Isleworth Film Festival page on Facebook. Many thanks to everyone who participated in putting together the event and making it such a success.

Film Night ‘Things to come’ Saturday 17th September 8pm

Saturday 17th Sepember, 8pm:

Film night ‘Things to come’.
This epic film, based on the book by H G Wells, was made in Worton Hall film studios, Isleworth.   Ed Harris, local author, will introduce the film and explain some of ground breaking special effects used. Tickets £10 (including food).

For all events please email les@lesmccallum.com or phone/text 07510 632 109

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