2 July

Battle of the Somme (Dir.Geoffrey Malins, 1916)  (Screening format – not known, 77mins)  The Battle of the Somme gave its 1916 audience an unprecedented insight into the realities of trench warfare, controversially including the depiction of dead and wounded soldiers. It shows scenes of the build-up to the infantry offensive including the massive preliminary bombardment, coverage of the first day of the battle (the bloodiest single day in Britain’s military history) and depictions of the small gains and massive costs of the attack. The Battle of the Somme remains one of the most successful British films ever made. It is estimated over 20 million tickets were sold in Great Britain in the first two months of release, and the film was distributed world-wide to demonstrate to allies and neutrals Britain’s commitment to the First World War. It is the source of many of that conflict’s most iconic images. It was made by British official cinematographers Geoffrey Malins and John McDowell. Though it was not intended as a feature film, once the volume and quality of their footage had been seen in London, the British Topical Committee for War Films decided to compile a feature-length film.  Find out more at wikipedia.org.    Presented as part of the Somme100Film Centenary Tour.    Accompanied by a live performance from the Airedale Symphony Orchestra.  King’s Hall, Ilkley Link

5 July

The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog (Dir. Alfred Hitchcock, 1927) (Screening format – not known, 91mins) A serial killer known as “The Avenger” is on the loose in London, murdering blonde women. A mysterious man (Ivor Novello)  arrives at the house of Mr. and Mrs. Bunting looking for a room to rent. The Bunting’s daughter (June Tripp)  is a blonde model and is seeing one of the detectives (Malcolm Keen) assigned to the case. The detective becomes jealous of the lodger and begins to suspect he may be the #avenger.  Based on a best-selling novel by Marie Belloc Lowndes, first published in 1913, loosely based on the Jack the Ripper murders,  The Lodger was Hitchcock’s first thriller, and his first critical and commercial success. Made shortly after his return from Germany, the film betrays the influence of the German expressionist tradition established in such films as The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919) and Nosferatu (1922). Find out more at silentfilm.org . Presented as part of the Hull Film Festival.   With live piano accompaniment by Jonathan Best.  Truck Theatre, Hull  Link

8 July

Battle of the Somme (Dir.Geoffrey Malins, 1916)  (Screening format – not known, 77mins)  For details see 2 July above.    Presented as part of the Somme100Film Centenary Tour.    Accompanied by a live performance from the Sedbergh Orchestra, conducted by Peter Crompton.  St Andrews Church, Sedbergh Link

9 July

Battle of the Somme (Dir.Geoffrey Malins, 1916)  (Screening format – not known, 77mins)  For details see 2 July above.    Presented as part of the Somme100Film Centenary Tour.    Accompanied by a live performance from the Oldham Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Marco Bellasi. St Paul’s Church, Royton, Lancashire. Link

Battle of the Somme (Dir.Geoffrey Malins, 1916)  (Screening format – not known, 77mins)  For details see 2 July above.    Presented as part of the Somme100Film Centenary Tour.    Accompanied by a live performance from the Sedbergh Orchestra, conducted by Peter Crompton.   Town Hall, SkiptonLink

11 July

Battle of the Somme (Dir.Geoffrey Malins, 1916)  (Screening format – not known, 77mins)  For details see 2 July above.    Presented as part of the Somme100Film Centenary Tour.    Accompanied by a live performance from the Cobweb Orchestra, Stanley, Conducted by Andy Jackson. Alun Armstrong Theatre, Stanley, Co. DurhamLink

14 July

Battle of the Somme (Dir.Geoffrey Malins, 1916)  (Screening format – not known, 77mins)  For details see 2 July above.    Presented as part of the Somme100Film Centenary Tour.    Accompanied by a live performance from the Endcliffe Orchestra conducted by Martin Lightowler.  Abbeydale Picture House,  Sheffield.Link

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