Hollywood stars come to Birkenhead for a film performance.
Ritz Theatre Cinema, Birkenhead, Merseyside.
CU of programme for "Royal Film Performance - To Aid The Cinematograph Trade Benevolent Fund"
Exterior Ritz Cinema, Birkenhead, at night. LS. Crowds waiting in street. Exterior Ritz Cinema at night with rockets bursting overhead. Crowd shot outside theatre exterior crowds being controlled by police. MS Mayor and Mayoress entering cinema, greeted by Mr W Southan Morris. MS a young girl presents a bouquet of flowers to Mayoress.
MS Arrival Ben Lyon and Bebe Daniels at theatre. MS Mr and Mrs Gregory Peck entering cinema. Mayor of Birkenhead greets Ben Lyon and Bebe Daniels. Margaret Lockwood arriving at theatre. She walks into theatre. Arrival of Valerie Hobson, escorted by John McCallum. MS Christine Norden alighting from car, with her is Richard Todd. She waves to crowd. CU Towards Christine Norden greeted by Mayoress and others. MS Richard Todd greeting Mayor and Mayoress, escorted by Mr Southan Morris. MS Mrs Peck, Bebe Daniels, Ben Lyon, Margaret Lockwood and Valerie Hobson. CU Pan shot, Ben Lyon, Bebe Daniels, Mrs Peck and Gregory Peck. VS of celebrities in foyer.
VS of show. Nat Allan and his Orchestra. MV "The Five China's" on the stage juggling. MV of Wilson, Kepple and Betty on stage doing sand dance. MS Ben Lyon runs on stage to mike, bows. Ms Love scene between Ben Lyon and Margaret Lockwood, Lyon is prodded on the back by Richard Todd. They leave stage. MS Gregory Peck on stage clapping and welcoming Valerie Hobson. MS Margaret Lockwood and Gregory Peck singing. MS Ben Lyon doing striptease. Ben Lyon opens shirt quickly and runs off stage. Richard Todd, Bebe Daniels and Ben Lyon, Margaret Lockwood and Gregory Peck on stage singing "Auld Lang Syne". Curtains close.
N.B. Film to be shown is the "Forsyth Saga". Special film for the Ritz Cinema.
Unknown user says
The event took place on 21 November 1949.
"Mayor and Mayoress" are Mr and Mrs Griffith-Davies.
"Mr W Southan Morris" was Managing Director of S.M. Associated Cinemas.
"Nat Allan" in text and tags should read Nat Allen.
"Forsyth Saga" in text should read The Forsyte Saga.
Unknown user says
That young girl was Mary Fairbrother