Blackpool Convention report 1994

Colin and Lynda Foy report on the 1994’s Blackpool Convention in issue 56 of Silver Screen Magazine.

The 1994 Blackpool Extravaganza

Colin & Lynda’s Cine Notes

Hello readers and welcome to another year at the Blackpool Convention. Last year’s journey time was 6 ½ hours, this year we managed it in just over 5 hours. We set off at 5.15am from junction 4 on the M20 at New Hythe, Kent. So early you may ask? We now take a short holiday during the convention and leaving early sees us up on the the M1 before the traffic builds up. We travel around the Dartford M25 route to keep away from the roadworks on the west side which seem to be continuous.

We arrived in Blackpool for a late breakfast and ‘cuppa’ with our hosts Bob and Jackie, at the Mount Cliff. It only seemed like last week than last year, since we had last met. Tempus Fugit. Their hotel business was their best in 1994 and Blackpool is ceasing to be a seasonal town and becoming an all year round resort.

A good stretch of the legs after that journey and the ‘old ‘pins’ need it after sitting on one’s posterior for five hours. Friday and Saturday were spent in seeing and doing what ever you fancy at Blackpool. This gives you ample time to recuperate for Saturday Night and Sunday Morning.

Cine Notes Two

During the meal, the yearly movie quiz was narrated and raffle tickets were on sale throughout. It is a knack you have to learn, a fork in one hand, one hand holding a pen and the other hand cupped over your ear to listen to the questions. It does take a bit of practice. Many of the questions this year were audible, listening to excerpts from movies and guessing the characters. The quiz was definitely harder than last year and some of the excerpts had to be repeated, for the hard of hearing. Pardon!

The compere ‘Dave the Rave’ could not ask the questions in order, he had to ask in a jumbled sequence, just to confuse us even more. It worked, our paper ended up looking like a Picasso, any buyers? Well, sad to say we did not win this year but we have managed to salvage some questions; not the audible ones though. Table G were the outright winners this time.

After dinner we had a fifteen minute break, to visit the usual offices and come back via the bar. What followed was a comedian, by the name of Mr Tommy Mundon from the Midlands. He was literally a ‘scream’, not the type of comedian that tells joke after joke but stories that are splattered with funny anecdotes and puns.

After a thunderous applause for Tommy Mundon, another short break followed. We wonder if he could come back again? It was now time for the ‘Film Show’ and what an excellent screening it was. The lights went down, a hush of expectancy fell over the unsuspecting audience. Roll ’em, the film started and there it was DER…, half on and half off the screen, with Derek frantically trying to reframe the picture while the audience was booing and stamping their feet. It was just like Saturday morning pictures.

Cine Notes Three

During the evening we met some people from last year, Phil Sheard and his wife, the Germans, led by Tomas and ‘fantastic’ Harry and his family from Fantastic Films. The atmosphere was set for some excellent cartoons from Tex Avery ‘Ventriloquist Cat’, Walt Disney, Tom and Jerry in ‘Trap Happy’, numerous adverts, including an excerpt from Naked Gun 33⅓ The Final Insult which is a must buy. Finally, Walt Disney’s release of their favourite film ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’. Could our finances include a copy of this wonderful film?

All too soon, the evening drew to a close and off we trundled back to the hotel in the pouring rain. We had the foresight to bring an umbrella, others, who shall remain nameless, did not. Our hotel is only 200 yards from the Clifton and we will only be 100 yards from the Savoy which is where the convention will be held from 1995 till 1998. During the evening Derek disclosed that ‘Derann had been given the boot’ and that negotiations had taken place that afternoon to rent the Savoy.

We did mention earlier that Blackpool is not a seasonal town anymore and more weekend breaks are being taken here every year. Hence the change of venue. Ladies and Gentlemen, next year is the 30th anniversary for Derann and the 100th anniversary of film. So, dress for the Savoy will be ‘TOP HAT WHITE TIE AND TAILS’. Derek duly pointed out, ‘Don’t be caught out; early bookings would be necessary to avoid disappointment’. Too true.

Sunday morning came quickly enough with Kevin Wardle banging on our bedroom door. A real eager beaver to get there before the sun’s come up. The truth is that the bar is open all day. A right Northerner is our Kevin and his sidekick the ‘lazer beam kid’. We arrived with our ‘stuff’ to sell, carried by our Northern porters, who I promised to buy a drink for their services. Next year lads, next year.

Cine Notes Four

I suppose it is good to get there early, if you know what you want and can get round all the stalls and make a ‘quick killing’. I must admit the venue filled up very quickly and the warm November made it very sticky, in no time at all. We find that it is better to wait for the auction which begins at 1300hrs in the main hall and keep away from other temptations. There were some tempting bargains all round, especially in the 16mm stalls and that copy of the Godfather II (super 8) for around £200 with Phil Sheard and his ‘Till the Clouds Roll By’, for £140.

The auction came with the 16mm coming up first, we were quite surprised that there wasn’t so much 16mm as last year. Maybe because of the bargains around the stalls. The 8mm was next and this man Simmonds sold almost everything and at the end of the auction there was a queue to make offers on films that did not meet financial requirements. You can realise some good bargains at these auctions. it is worth the trip to Blackpool just to sit and listen to the audience with the auctioneer. It is debatable as to who was the best comedian, Tommy Mundon on the Saturday or the auctioneer and his audience on the Sunday.

There was one instance where Derek was working hard to raise £5 for a 200 foot cartoon. He had just received a bid for a fiver and ‘Reg’ from the back jumped up and offered £2. Hilarious uproar followed. On the ‘down bid’ for a new cartoon, where Derek starts from £22 and works down. The first person to stop Derek on the way down buys the film. One new cartoon went to £15 before a bid was made and some ‘smart Alec’ stood up and offered £17. Uncontrollable laughter, the mind boggles.

Cine Notes Five

Derek even had to stop one man from bidding against himself. We are positive that some people don’t know what they are bidding for but they are having a wonderful time. Bargain Buys? There were two copies of ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ still in their boxes, one was sold for £100 and we cannot recall what happened to the other. We don’t think it sold at the auction. Three films of Snow White, two with Italian headings and one with an English heading. My wife and I were very surprised that we were the only ones bidding for a ‘very good’ copy of Snow White. We have run it through and there is a minute scratch on reel three which will probably come out, with the aid of a little ‘car grease’.

The Riddle of the Sands went for £90 and there were some good ribald remarks when some 60s risky films came along. One for example, Tango of Perversion (no offers), and Emmanuelle which did go to some gent in a flat cap and raincoat. Three cartoons on one reel was common place and each going for £10 to £12 a time. Three Heckle and Heckle cartoons did not receive a bid; what happened after the auction? Oh yes, you not only get the best bargains at Derek’s ‘bring and buy auction’ but you also get a good laugh.

We kept calm and retained the rest of our money for a musical but it is easy to spend at the auction. At a 10% saving we bought a new copy of ‘Gigi’ from Derann and with our copy of Snow White, that left us a little extra to purchase 5×1200′ cans for £6. We didn’t have enough for the trailer of ‘The Final Insult’. This we hope to purchase in time for our ‘Christmas Picture Show’.

Cine Notes Six

We left the convention at 1710 hrs, heavier in goods but lighter in wallet. This day out is very enjoyable but exacting and we must advise: Keep your wits about you at the auction. A quick meal of Blackpool’s famous fish and chips and an early night. It is good to have a relaxing day the following Monday to recuperate from the weekend and this is what we hope to do in the following years. We have never enjoyed rushing back the next day. Many thanks to Derek and his staff for arranging this ‘Yearly Bonanza’ and also to all other stall holders who make this truly grand weekend.

The Quiz

Name Yul Brinner’s first movie?
Who sang for Jayne Mansfield in ‘ Sheriff of Fractured Jaw’?
Who were the two stars of Now Voyager (1942)?
Name the two male stars of White Christmas?
What was the Christian name of Indiana Jones?
The three lead roles for Casablanca were?
Who narrated Zulu?
Composer of the 20th Cent Fox music was?
The only film that Nat King Cole sang in was?
Who founded Universal Pictures?
Who said, ‘When I am good I’m very…..’ and finish?
Actress detective in Silence of the Lambs was?
Name Walt Disney’s latest screen success?
What was White Christmas filmed in?
Who was the sidekick of Han Solo?
Which film won the Oscar in 1943?
Name the director of The Iron Horse?
Isadora was a film about whom?
Who played Isadora in the film?
Name the actor who played Big X?
Who played the lead role in The Drum?
Brother Sun Sister Moon, the biography of what saint?
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly – name the three stars?
Who directed For Me and My Girl?
Name the lead actors in Zulu?
What is engraved on Mel Blanc’s tombstone?

Cine Notes Seven

Answers to the Quiz

Reveal

Port of New York
Connie Francis
Bette Davis and Paul Henreid
Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye
Henry Jones
Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid
Richard Burton
Alfred E Neuman
Cat Ballou
Carl Laemmle
‘… but when I’m bad I’m better’ Mae West
Jodie Foster
Aladdin
Vistavision
Chewbacca
Casablanca
John Ford
The free thinking Isadora Duncan
Vanessa Redgrave, nominated best actress
Richard Attenborough in The Great Escape
Sabu played the lead
St Francis of Assisi
Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef & Eli Wallach
Busby Berkeley
Stanley Baker and Michael Caine
‘That’s all Folks’.