Saturday, March 17, 2007

Happy St. Patrick's Day!







Actually, I was lucky enough to see this Canadian film about an Irish immigrant from 1964 at the Gorge Cinema in Elora, Ontario some time back. Like, eight years ago or more. There were a couple of people present who were involved with the CBC or early Canadian film and such there to introduce it and talk about F.R 'Budge' Crawley, the producer, who was their good friend. It wasn't overly informative and I think they weren't really used to giving that type of thing but it was a pure joy to see the movie and its scenes of wintry Montreal (and Ottawa, if memory serves me) on the screen in glorious black and white. I love 60s/70s Canadian films and the acting in this one is also terrific, if you're given the chance. The older gentleman friend of Crawley fell asleep during the screening, head back and all.

4 comments:

Jesse said...

Ginger Coffey is wonderful - I saw that restored version back in '99 or so too.

Every year at TIFF it's a no brainer that I see their annual presentation of a restored Canadian film whatever it is - last year it was Paperback Hero with Keir Dullea!

Colin said...

and I have VHS tape of SCHOOL OF THE HOLY BEAST if you wanna borrow it. I also have a dvd of RATTLERS for your courtesty of Dave over at Rue Morgue...

Michael said...

Agreed, Jesse. I'd be taking in that feature each year as well. The only other one I've seen was the Genvieve Bujold beauty, 'Entre La Mer et L'eau Douce', which was a great little love story. Oh, and I did 'Goin' Down The Road' in its brief theatrical return as well...up at Eglinton somewhere...I never remember the name of the cinemas.

Jiangtou, your kindness is duly noted on the Rattlers and I already have the Holy Beast DVD so if you need a digital version, I can 'hook you up' as the kids say.

Jesse said...

In fact, Michael, I was going to mention Entre La Mer et L'eau Douce, another Open Vault winner, but I didn't think anyone else got to see it!

Come down to Toronto for TIFF and I can score you a ticket for this year's offering.

The generosity just keeps on coming.