Darlington Film Club held the last of its regular nights in December with a screening of Christmas classic It's a Wonderful Life. Andrew White and James Watson look back at 12 years of classics, cults and the odd special guest.
Hollywood movie stars, international pop acts and up-and-coming local filmmakers have all graced the stage of The Forum Music Centre, in Darlington, over the last 12 years.
The club has been screening cult and classic films for more than a decade - weekly at first, and then monthly - as well as hosting several special events.
But this month (December), organiser James Watson brought the curtain down on the regular screenings, announcing "with a heavy heart" that festive staple 'It's Wonderful Life', would be the last film shown.
James explained that a number of factors helped him make the decision.
"After Covid, the world changed their way of watching films," he said.
"Audiences can find most films at any time on any platform via their TV, phone, tablet or computer.
"The large cinema chains are struggling to fill their chairs, so what luck does a small Film Club which is run by love and a couple of volunteers have.
"In the 12 years that Darlington Film Club has been running a regular weekly then monthly screening, first at the old Arts Centre and then 11 years at the wonderful Forum, there have been so many people who have visited from all over the UK.
"A lot of hard work and love has been put into the Film Club over the years and the events that have been happened have attracted some amazing guests with lots of sold out intimate nights."
The first ever special event was a screening of 'Quadrophenia' with two of the cast members - Mark Wingett and Garry Cooper - attending for a Q&A which was also recorded for a podcast.
Film Club also screened the last ever UK showing of the restored Clive Barker film 'Nightbreed, The Cabal Cut' with the Restoration director and three of the original cast attending.
A 'Hellraiser' evening with two of the cast - Simon Bamford and Barbie Wilde - and special effects technician Cliff Wallace appearing in person.
Twice BAFTA nominated composer Simon Boswell played an exclusive acoustic set with the cult director Richard Stanley hosting Q&A sessions on their films 'Hardware' and 'Dust Devil'.
One of the most fond;ly remembered events was for a screening of 'Carry On Screaming' with the late Fenella Fielding delighting the audience on stage for a Q&A. Like most of the guests she generously stayed behich to meet fans and sign autographs.
Hammer Horror, James Bond and Carry On stars Valerie Leon, Margaret Nolan, Sally Geeson, Madeline Smith were among many other cult movie stars who made personal appearances after film screenings.
Several Carry On films were screened. One of the most memorable was when Tyler Butterworth, son of the late great Peter Butterworth, attended for a screeing of Carry on Camping. He spoke of his father's film career and the moving details of his little-known but remarkable years as a prisoner-of-war.
Horror movies were a popular subject for the film club. Glamour model Linzi Drew-Honey, who appeared in An American Werewolf in London, discussed her life and career, persuading an audience member to read an X-rated extract from her autobiography. Illustrator Graham Humphreys, responsible for the genre's best-known posters, provided a different perspective on the horror movie industry.
The film club collaborated with the London-based Misty Moon film society for many of the special events, including the most prolific guest Robin Askwith. He visited Darlington four times with various screenings of his films, each time followed by one of his hilariously risque one-man shows.
The late Dudley Sutton attended for what should have been a screening of 'The Boys'. The club was unable to show the film, but Sutton fulfilled his commitment and staged a two-hour uncensored show with stories from his amazing career for one of the most memorable evenings the club has staged.
Back in 2018, Vincent Price’s daughter Victoria was on stage to discuss her father's legacy following a screening of 'The Pit and the Pendulum'.
Ian Ogilvy was in the UK for just one week - and he still found time to come up to Darlington for a screening of ‘The Witchfinder General’.
In 2019, more sold out events happened, this time showing ‘Teddy Pendergrass: If You Don’t Know Me By Now’ with BAFTA winning Director Olivia Lichtenstein attending for a Q&A. This was shared all around the world on social media by none other than Fast and Furious actor Tyrese Gibson who has the rights to film a biopic of Teddy.
The Queen Of Rock and Roll, Suzi Quatro came along in October of that year for a Q&A after a showing of a documentary about her outstanding career. This event sold out in 36 hours.
Surviving members of Liverpool band The Real Thing answered questions about their life and long career following a showing of a powerful documentary about the history of the band.
For organiser James, a personal highlight was a screeing of cult classic Flash Gordon after which its star, Sam J Jones, joined him on stage for a Q&A.
For James, it took him back to his childhood and a special treat to see the film which remains one of his favourites.
Darlington Film Club was proud to have been nominated twice for the Contribution To The Arts award at the Stronger Communities awards run by Darlington Borough Council - which it won it in 2021.
James added: "Thanks to Darlington For Culture for providing some funding over the years and The Round Table for money towards a new screen.
"The Northern Echo have been a big supporter of the Film Club and would like to say thank you for all their help with articles and interviews with our guests.
"Thank you so much to Allison and everyone at The Forum who have allowed us to use their main hall and wonderful sound system, especially to Matty, Kirsten and Katie for their invaluable support.
"Any money we raised from the screenings and events went to The Forum. A grassroots venue that everyone in Darlington should be using. It’s a fantastic place with such a wonderful vibe.
"Massive thanks go to two very special women- Kath Matthews, who without her help and encouragement, Darlington Film Club would not have been the success it was over the last 12 years and to my wife Sarah - she has been a rock when I have been organising events and screenings every week.
Recommended reading:
- Star of 'worst movie ever made' brings one-man show to Darlington
- Glamour model Linzi’s career laid bare at Darlington film club night
- The art of ‘dodgy’ horror: Man behind classic film posters to explain his craft
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"The biggest thanks goes to everyone who came along to the screenings and events over the last 12 years.
"Darlington Film Club will still be around, popping up every now and again to host events when the opportunity arises.
"It’s been a pleasure."
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