Film Appreciation Group

[BILLBARROW]

As Michael Caine said at the end of ‘The Italian Job’: ”Hold on fellers, I’ve got this great idea”
Now this great idea is for a Film Appreciation Group for Chiltern U3A and at this stage I want to find out just how many members would be interested.

Just what would such a group do? The subject matter is enormous, what we do and what we see is and what we talk about is up to us:  perhaps a few classic silents; perhaps  talking pictures from 30's to 70's;  British, American, French ,  Italian, Japanese?  The list is endless.  But as Bette Davis said at the end of ‘Now Voyager’: “Why ask for the moon when we have the stars?

Our average age is I guess,  'mature', so this group also gives some scope for indulging in a little nostalgia.  And why not?

What next?

If you are interested could you please either respond to this forum or email me directly at: w.barow@btinternet.com   (yes, there is only one’r’ – it’s a long story)

Or, if you know of members who might be interested but who are not on line please ask them to phone me on: (01494 677563).

And then ?
We’ll call a meeting of interested members to talk about the whats,  wheres  and  whens.
Right now the final words in ‘Bridge on the River Kwai’ spring to mind: “Madness, Madness.” But you never know it could be ‘The Sweet Smell of Success’.

Bill Barrow

[Anne P J]

Bill have just been to see 'A Single Man' and I recommend that no one should go as it is slow , depressing and dirge-like. I am sure you will show much better films.
Anne Pierce Jones

[Anne P J]

Yes please
Anne PJ

[Coleshill1]

Chiltern U3A Group 'Glories of Hollywood' has been going for many years, I don't know what they get up to nowadays, but you might like to liaise with them...

[Anne P J]

I have been in touch with Helen Ash and she is delighted and thinks she might join the proposed group. She is enjoying 32 degrees in Australia at present
Anne PJ

[mgtbob]

Sounds like a great idea! Would need alarge room. Perhaps an evening meeting?!
There's no where to see good films locally

[Geoffrey Spencer]

One important aspect of the "talkies" is music
As it happens, I know that the next Music Group meeting, (Eye-Opener), will be looking at Film clips, and perhaps creating a desire to see the quoted film screened
(Rachmaninoff died, not knowing THAT concerto needed steam-trains and Celia Johnson's moist eyes in close-up)
            Geoffrey Spencer
 

[BILLBARROW]

You are quite right. Without music many films would lack a vital emotional element - and probably drier hankies.
There could be a very useful tie-in here. Unfortunately I will be in Dorset on 7th April but would appreciate it if members of the group were informed of the possibility of a Film Appreciation Group starting up. What films would they like to see?

(I wonder what would have happened if Dolly Messiter hadn't come into the station waiting room at just the wrong time... We'll never know.)

Bill Barrow

[BILLBARROW]

The Group has attracted a large number of members, so much so, that the initial meeting, held in the Small Barn Hall was 'standing room only'

Because of the anticipated numbers the venue of the future meetings will be]

THE DRAKE HALL

and the meetings will be held on:

THE THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH AT 2.00pm

The first meeting will be held on 16th September 2010. The subject of the first meeting and future programme will be finalised after the feedback from the initial meeting has been studied.

Thanks to all members who provided feedback.

[BILLBARROW]

FILM APPRECIATION GROUP

Just a reminder that our first meeting is on Thursday 16th September and we will be looking at:

FILM NOIR – The Origins

This is the first of a proposed series on Film Noir and we will be looking at what Film Noir is and how it came about. This first session will be confined to those films of the forties which defined Film Noir and will give us the opportunity of indulging in a little nostalgia. We revisit the subject later and see how Film Noir developed through the fifties and beyond.
As we have the Drake Hall at our disposal it means that there is no waiting list for this group. Consequently, if you have friends or acquaintances who are members and you think they might like to join please ask them to contact Bill Barrow.

REMEMBER – THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH 2.00pm DRAKE HALL

We look forward to seeing you.