Light House Cinema in Wolverhampton will present an evening of archive film entitled Finest Hour to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II on Thursday 3 September, 6.30pm. The evening will begin with the original recording of the chilling voice of prime minister, Neville Chamberlain, announcing the failure of the negotiations with Germany over their invasion of Poland and telling the nation that the country was once more at war, and will then continue with a selection of films made immediately before and during the war, directed by Humphrey Jennings. The screening will be followed by wartime music in Lock Works cafe bar at the centre. Tickets cost just £3 and can be booked in advance from Light House Box Office on 01902 716055. £1 from every ticket sold will be donated to the Royal British Legion. For more info visit www.light-house.co.uk
Humphrey Jennings is widely considered as Britain’s greatest documentary director. His ‘finest hour’ is considered to be the war years. During the event on 3 September Light House will screen Spare Time (1939), Words for Battle (1941), The Silent Village (1943) and Listen to Britain (1942). Beautifully weaving image and sound to evoke everyday heroism, these four short films combine poetic observation with subtle yet intense national feeling. They remain an inspiration to countless modern filmmakers.
Spare Time was released shortly before the outbreak of war and is a fascinating survey of the leisure pursuits of ordinary people in 1939, focusing on the steel, cotton and coal workers of Sheffield, Manchester, Bolton and Pontypridd. Words For Battle presents images of wartime Britain accompanied by a soundtrack of stirring passages of poetry and prose spoken by Laurence Olivier. The Silent Village is a sombre and gripping documentary on the tragic tale of the Czech village of Lidice, which was occupied and destroyed by the Nazis, reenacted by a Welsh mining community. Listen to Britain is considered to be Jenning’s masterpiece - an exhilarating montage of the sights and sounds of wartime Britain. Memorable scenes include the crowded floor of the great ballroom at Blackpool, Flanagan and Allen singing ‘Underneath the Arches’ in a workers’ canteen, and Myra Hess playing Mozart with the RAF orchestra in the National Gallery.
Marketing Coordinator Lindsay Wiggin said, “This will be a special evening to commemorate the outbreak of World War II on this date in 1939. We would like to encourage those who come to watch these evocative films of wartime Britain to also join us in Lock Works afterwards when we will have wartime music playing and there will be a chance to reminisce and share memories.”
Tickets for this event cost £3. £1 from every ticket sold will be donated to the Royal British Legion.
Certificate U. Running time: 90 mins. Admission to Lock Works is free.
Contact Light House Box office on tel: 01902 716055 to book tickets and for more information. Light House is located in the historic Chubb Buildings in Wolverhampton City Centre. For further info email info@light-house.co.uk or visit www.light-house.co.uk