KERRY FILM FESTIVAL’S CLASSIC SCREENINGS TO CONTINUE WITH ARSENIC & OLD LACE (1944)

An afternoon of classic cinema on a big screen and refreshments beforehand, all for two Euro? Where would you get it? At the monthly Kerry Film Festival Active Retired Screenings, that’s where.

Kerry Film Festival has delved deep into its archive to continue the series at Siamsa Tire on Wednesday 3^rd August at 2pm, with ARSENIC AND OLD LACE.

Starring Cary Grant and Priscilla Lane, ARSENIC AND OLD LACE tells the story of drama critic who learns on his wedding day that his beloved maiden aunts are actually homicidal maniacs and that insanity runs in the family. Although the film was released in 1944 it was actually filmed in 1941 making it seventy years old this September! Described as ‘good macabre fun’ in contemporary rewiews, Frank Capra’s hilarious production certainly stands the test of time.

Last month the KFF Active Retired screening featured Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in Michael Curtiz’s, 1944 Oscar-winning masterpiece CASABLANCA. A must-see for all film lovers, the screening attracted a great number of afternoon film-goers leading to a wonderful atmosphere in Siamsa Tire.

Kerry Film Festival holds active retired screenings on the first Wednesday of each month in Siamsa Tire, Tralee. Aimed at the seasoned film enthusiast, admission to the screenings is just €2 for anyone over the age of sixty-five, and refreshments are provided free of charge by Kerry Film Festival. Recent screenings have included, NATIONAL VELVET starring a young Elizabeth Taylor, and the previously mentioned 1944 Oscar winner CASABLANCA.

“The selection of films for this year’s series of Active Retired Screenings has been truly outstanding, and they just seem to get better and better”, said KFF Coordinator Niall Burman-Roy. “In this age of computer generated special effects it is astonishing to see the innovative techniques which film-makers were employing long before the days of the micro-chip and the blue screen. While for many patrons the screenings offer a chance to take a walk down memory lane, for others it is a great opportunity to see true classics for the first time.”

Screenings will continue throughout the summer, taking place on the first Wednesday of each month, and all are welcome to attend.

Upcoming KFF Active Retired Screenings:

August 3^rd ARSENIC & OLD LACE (1944)

September 7^th ROMAN HOLIDAY (1953)

October 5^th GILDA (1946)

For more information on the Kerry Film Festival Active Retired Screenings contact 066 7129934 or email info@kerryfilmfestival.com

KERRY FILM FESTIVAL CONTINUES CLASSIC SCREENINGS AT SIAMSA TIRE

Rose O Connor, Margaret Sheehan, Nora Rooney and Aishling Hayes get ready to take their seats at the KFF Active Retired screening of NATIONAL VELVET

Lovers of classic cinema are in for a treat next Wednesday at 2pm as Kerry Film Festival continues its programme of Active Retired Screenings with CASABLANCA at Siamsa Tire.

Winner of the Oscar for best picture in 1943, CASABLANCA is consistently voted as one of the top-ten movies of all time. Directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart, the film is set in unoccupied Africa during the early days of World War II. It is an excellent example of Bogart at his best, playing an American expatriate who meets a former lover (Bergman) with unforeseen complications.

Last month the KFF Active Retired screening featured Clarence Brown’s NATIONAL VELVET, a full colour feature dating back to 1944. Leaving the auditorium, much of the conversation focussed on the quality of the performances of both Elizabeth Taylor and Mickey Rooney, and how the film had kept patrons on the edge of their seats.

Kerry Film Festival holds active retired screenings on the first Wednesday of each month in Siamsa Tire, Tralee. Aimed at the seasoned film enthusiast, admission to the screenings is just €2 for anyone over the age of sixty-five, and refreshments are provided free of charge by Kerry Film Festival. Recent screenings have included, THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER starring Robert Mitchum, and the previously mentioned 1944 Oscar winner NATIONAL VELVET.

“When we get a bit older we’re probably not too pushed about going to see a computer-generated vision of the apocalypse, or a teenage flesh-fest, or to take a three-dimensional trip to the intergalactic jungle home of extra-terrestrial smurf-like creatures,” said KFF Coordinator Niall Burman-Roy. “So the KFF Active Retired screenings at Siamsa Tíre are a great opportunity for seasoned film enthusiasts to see a classic movie on a big screen.”

In addition to featuring movies which are rarely seen on a big screen, Kerry Film Festival’s Active Retired Screenings are also a great social occasion offering an opportunity to chat with other film-lovers and catch up with friends. There is always a friendly atmosphere reminiscent of the golden age of cinema-going, from the plush red seats in Siamsa to the tangible sense of anticipation before the feature begins to the appreciative round of applause when the credits roll.

Screenings will continue throughout the summer, taking place on the first Wednesday of each month, and all are welcome to attend.

Upcoming KFF Active Retired Screenings:

July 6^th CASABLANCA (1942)

August 3^rd ARSENIC & OLD LACE (1944)

September 7^th ROMAN HOLIDAY (1953)

For more information on the Kerry Film Festival Active Retired Screenings contact 066 7129934 or email info@kerryfilmfestival.com

Thoroughly civilised afternoon at the pictures enjoyed by seniors at Siamsa Tíre

Marie Duffy and Cathy Kelliher get ready to take their seats at Siamsa Tíre

When we get a bit older we're probably not too pushed about going to see a computer-generated vision of the apocalypse, or a teenage flesh-fest, or to take a three-dimensional trip to the intergalactic jungle home of extra-terrestrial smurf-like creatures. Our appetite for hot-dogs, nachos, titanic sized portions of popcorn and buckets of fizz will perhaps diminish somewhat as we advance in our years, and we may wish for a more elegant and demure way to enjoy a great movie on a big screen in the company of our peers.

If that does happen to me someday, I hope that Kerry Film Festival's active retired screenings are still being held at Siamsa Tire.

In spite of my tender years I was lucky enough to be present Wednesday afternoon’s screening of The Night of the Hunter, a classic dating back to 1955 starring Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters and Lillian Gish. There was a great atmosphere as film lovers gathered for tea, coffee and biscuits, chatting to friends and admiring some of the artwork on display around Siamsa Tire, prior to the film.

The monthly active retired screenings will continue at 2pm on June 1st with 1944 classic National Velvet starring Mickey Rooney and Elizabeth Taylor. All films cost just €2 to anyone over the age of sixty-five and refreshments are provided by Kerry Film Festival.

It’s a great social occasion as well as a unique opportunity for seasoned film enthusiasts to see some fantastic films on the big screen, and without a smurf in sight.

For more information, please call Kerry Film Festival on 066 712 9934.