What the papers said
The Times (The Kentish Times)
October 19th 2000
Note: The newspaper article was photocopied and sent to me so the quality
of the images isn't great. A lot of them are from
Paul's book of the film
so you can refer to your copy to see what they should look like.
If you don't have the book you can
order it here.
THE BOOK: Paul Tritton's new book on the film A Canterbury Tale.
|
UNVEILING: John Sweet does the honours with Lady Attenborough
and Marlowe Theatre director Mark Everett as a commemorative
plaque is opened at
[sic]
in the foyer of the theatre.
|
STYLISH: Sheila Sim, later Lady Attenborough, as Alison Smith.
|
GAZING: Bill Clover and John Sweet adopt a classic movie pose.
|
NOSTALGIC: Back in familiar surroundings, John Sweet relives
memories from over half a century ago.
|
CULT CLASSIC: Lady Attenborough signs a copy of Paul
Tritton's book A Canterbury Tale.
|
|
Stars of A Canterbury Tale
relive their movie memories
By BRUCE ACKLAND
Two old friends from the cast of the classic wartime movie A Canterbury
Tale have met for the first time in more than half a century.
Former American GI John Sweet, who played Sgt Bob Johnson, and Lady Attenborough,
who appeared as the Land Girl, met up again for a series of events to celebrate
the cult film as part of the Kent International Film Festival.
First up was a charity screening of the 1944 movie milestone, directed by
Michael Powell,
[and Emeric Pressburger]
at the ABC Cinema in Canterbury.
The two long lost chums caught up on old times and signed copies of author
Paul Tritton's new book on the making of the film before settling down to
watch their finest big screen moments all over again.
After the screening, John and his former leading lady paid a visit to the
Marlowe Theatre to unveil a plaque to acknowledge the theatre's history
with the film.
A Canterbury Tale received it's 1944 world premiere at the Friar's Cinema
situated where the Marlowe Theatre now stands.
[in the same building]
Marlowe spokesman John Baker said: "The theatre is delighted to commemortae
its history with A Canterbury Tale, a film with a reputation which continues
to grow through the years.
John Sweet's favourite part of his return to Canterbury was his nostalgic
trip to Fordwich, where
[much of]
A Canterbury tale was filmed.
It was here that John was able to meet another old friend, local man Len
Smith, 66, who was just nine when he appeared as young Lesley in the movie.
He said "I was just walking to school when a photographer from the crew
pulled me to one side and asked me if I wanted to be in the film. It is
stunning to see John Sweet after 56 years. I feel like I have known him
all my life.
"I have seen A Canterbury Tale 20 times because I have it on video.
"After appearing in the film I went to another audition, but it didn't work
out. In any case, Michael Powell had spoken to my mother and said he thought
I should not stay in acting!"
The thrill of seeing so many faces from the past was quite overwhelming
for John Sweet who was thoroughly excited by his trip down memory lane.
After flying in especially from his North carolina home, the 84-year-old
retired school master was fascinated to pay a visit to Fordwich town hall
which was copied into a model to double as the town hall in A Canterbury
Tale.
[because the real Town Hall was too small to get the Technicolor cameras
in]
He said: "This is the first time I have seen the actual town hall and it
is exactly the same as the model.
"This really brings the memories flooding back. It fills me with great pride
and excitement to be here and see the fans that have made the movie such
a cult."
John was just 27 and a serving soldier when he made his one time big screen
appearance in the immortal classic.
"I think that the movie endures because of its very real setting, its beautiful
themes and the great talents involved behind the scenes," he added.
The American has only actually seen his landmark performance three times,
including last week's charity screening, and always remembers working under
Michael Powell.
"Working with Powell was not all that nice because he was a very difficult,
incredibly demanding and an absolute perfectionist," he said.
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