23/07/2010

Issued by Fairfax House

Judy Garland, Greer Garson, Cary Grant, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman can all be seen on the big screen at the 2010 Silver Screen Week, taking place at Fairfax House from Sunday 26 September to Sunday 3 October 2010.

This is the second Silver Screen Week and this time we turn our attention to film from the Golden Age of cinema, evoking a time when Fairfax House was known as St George's Cinema (1921-1965).

Marking the 70th anniversary of Dunkirk, six of the best cinematic masterpieces of the early 1940s will be screened: a film either made or released for each year of World War II. 

Casablanca (1943) will be the glitzy opening Gala film on Sunday 26 September, 7.30pm, a red carpet evening with an opportunity to dress up as your favourite film character from the 1940's, plus there will be nostalgic war-time music provided by local musicians.

Other screenings during the week include - Goodbye Mr. Chips (1939) starring, Fantasia (1940), Citizen Kane (1941), Mrs. Miniver (1942), Arsenic & Old Lace (1944) and Meet Me In St Louis (1945). See editor's notes for screening times.

Due to popular demand, and in conjunction with York City Screen, there will also be a repeat showing of Buster Keaton's classic 1927 silent movie The General (1927) on Sunday 3 October, 11am at York City Screen. A Civil War action film with Keaton playing Johnnie Gray, a railroad engineer with two loves: his locomotive, dubbed The General and his gal, Annabelle Lee. The film will be accompanied by a live musical score performed by the talented York pianist Kieran White.

Cinema buffs will also have the chance to test their film knowledge in an entertaining film quiz night on Wednesday 29 September, 7.30pm. This will include a cryptic clue section (for crossword experts), guess the film and guess the actor. The winner will receive a DVD film package of a selection of the films shown as part of the Silver Screen Week.

Hannah Phillip, Director of Fairfax House, is delighted to be opening the cinema doors again at Fairfax House. She commented: "The event last year was an overwhelming success. Visitors really enjoyed the experience of watching old films in the House and reliving and remembering the past. We went out of our way to create an authentic atmosphere providing usherettes in old fashioned costumes and assigning a Commissionaire to collect tickets at the door.

"This year will be equally as special. We have carefully chosen some of the greatest classic war era films. The line up features some of the most evocative storyline, star studded casts and all the romance, drama, humour and suspense that film-makers of Hollywood and Britain could bring.

"We urge the public to book their tickets early as last year many of the screenings sold out well in advance."

Tickets for the film screenings at Fairfax House are £12.00 (including wine and soft drinks); £30.00 for the Casablanca Gala night on Sunday 26 Sept, 7.30pm (including canapés, sparkling wine and musical entertainment);  £10.00 for The General at City Screen on Sunday 3 October at 11am and £10.00 for the Film Quiz on Wednesday 29 September. Tickets are available from Fairfax House on 01904 655543 or by calling into Fairfax House in Castlegate, York, during House opening hours.

More details about the Silver Screen Week are also available on the Fairfax House website at www.fairfaxhouse.co.uk

Ends