The Savoy hotel was once again the venue for 2001’s convention. Barry Littlechild reviews the weekend in his column The Littlechild Report in Issue 50 of Film for the Collector magazine, published in Spring 2002*.
Finally, to Blackpool. Even though Derek Simmonds was sadly in hospital having a major operation (get well soon mate) the convention went ahead. Derann’s staff and friends managed to keep it all together. The legendary ‘Marlene’ (pictured below with Sylvia) was the rock (wouldn’t like to cross her!) and seemed to be in ten places at the same time. Top comic, Tommy Mundon, kept the dinner audience in stitches with his observations on life, and David Erskine – the master MC – again injected life into a great dinner. Only sad note was that Barry Attwood again won the raffle and our table didn’t get past the starting gun with Ged’s brilliant quiz. Derek had put together an entertaining programme of film clips, including “That’s Entertainment 3”. The Blackpool dinner is the highlight of my year – mind you, I do live a strange life!
The convention on the Sunday was better than ever: more people (see picture below), more stalls and, at last, an acceptance of optical and electronic projection – they really do go together. Bob Nicholls kept the cinema running all day, and yours truly, with Derann’s Ged Jones, had a good double act going for the auction. I now realise why Derek is so knackered after this event!
Nothing seemed to be too much trouble for all that helped out – which goes to show how much respect and affection we all have for Derek and Anne Simmonds. Long may Blackpool rule the highlight of the year.
Barry Littlechild
The same issue of the magazine carried the following letter:
GOOD TIME TO BUY
Many thanks for another Blackpool convention (last November). I arrived late, but within half an hour had a carrier bag full of rarities – some films I hadn’t seen in ages.
I can only assume, with certain collectors parting with their lifetime collections due to being sucked in by DVD, these are coming up for grabs.
It couldn’t be a better time for a real collector to buy.
Barry Littlechild did a marvellous job with the auction, and also the highest praise to the staff who made this a thoroughly enjoyable day. Unfortunately, Blackpool is not the same without the ‘boss’ (and Anne), so however much I enjoyed the day, this was a void, which could not be filled.
Mike Hudson
* The cover of the magazine incorrectly prints the date as Spring 2001
Blackpool Film Collectors' Convention 