The last lap

Just five more events in our current season. This Thursday we screen the Curtis Hanson film, Wonder Boys. We previously screened his LA Confidental, a magnificent film, but rather different from this production, of which the BBFi films wrote:

“Witty, intelligent, and sophisticated, Wonder Boys is a Hollywood rarity. A film with the courage to do what it wants, safe in the knowledge that its characters are strong, funny, and interesting enough to suck the audience in.” Based on the Michael Chabon novel, it stars Michael Douglas, Frances McDormand and Tobey Maguire.

Special event: Harold Lloyd silent with piano accompaniment

On March 9th Andrew Youdell will be back to play piano while one of the greatest of all silent comedy practitioners, Harold Lloyd, does his bit on screen in For Heaven’s Sake. (Lloyd is best remembered for Safety Last, in which he hangs from a clock hand high above the street traffic below – just in case you needed the reminder). There will also be an extra short film in support.

Two points to note: This screening takes place at St Nicolas Church (Abingdon Market Place); and it begins at the earlier than usual time of 7.30 pm. Our silent comedies have been very popular in the past, so please do spread the word.

Another special event: Gemma Bovery (March 30th)

This is our final film for 2016-7, a sharp comedy based on the Posy Simmonds graphic novel. We present it jointly with the Abingdon & District Town Twinning Association and it gives us an opportunity to mark the end of the season convivially with a cheese and wine party. We provide the food and soft drinks, but as we have no drinks licence, you should bring own wine, but not drinking vessels.

Doors open at 7.00 pm
Cheese and wine begins at 7.15 pm
Film starts at 7.45 pm (or soon afterwards)
and ends soon after 9.30 pm, with tea and coffee available.

Do bring guests – normal admission charges apply, but attendees will be asked to make a contribution to the cost of the food and drink provided. As ever, we aim just to cover the costs.

Annual members’ meeting

We will send out a reminder nearer the time, but you might like to note Thursday May 18 in your diary as the day when we report our progress in planning next year’s programme. We will also screen some short material – quite possibly some of the R W Paul films that Ian Christie did not have time to show us ten days ago.

Our next newsletter is planned for late April or early May.