– ‘He must be a retired Pirate’ but what of the chances of finding Rio Cinema?
Keen fans of Claude Whatham’s original film ‘Swallows and Amazons’ gathered at the Cinema Museum in London for the 50th Anniversary celebrations hosted by the writer and broadcaster Brian Sibley.
After doors opened at 1.00pm, delicious food and drink was served in the main hall where Hugh Grant held his 50th Birthday party. Charlie Chaplin had been housed there as a child. It had been the chapel of the workhouse where his mother had been sent with her offspring.
A collection of movie memorabilia now lines the walls. It’s in incredible place.
‘He said, – “Yes.”‘
Brian Sibley interviewed David Wood OBE, who at the age of twenty-nine had adapted Arthur Ransome’s book into a 90 minute screenplay under the iron fist of the widowed Mrs Ransome. Born in Russia, she had been Leo Trotsky’s private secretary and was a pretty formidable old lady.
David told us that having taken the producer, Richard Pilbrow, and his associate Neville C Thompson around various Lake District locations, Evgenia Ransome declared she wanted the Swallows to all have blue eyes and blonde hair. I’d know that she wanted ‘And English rose’ to play Titty, but this was news to me.
Although David was well known for his starring role in the film ‘If….’ with Malcolm McDowell, ‘Swallows and Amazons’ was the first movie he wrote. He’s been too busy acting on stage to spend much time on location but entrusted the script changes to the director.
The film screening was heralded by a letter from Dame Virginia McKenna, which I was given the privilege of reading out.
‘It is almost impossible to believe that it is the 50th Anniversary of ‘Swallows and Amazons’. I am really sorry I cannot be with you but I am here in spirit.
For anyone who feels downhearted by the troubles in our present-day world, there can be no better cure than to be here this afternoon watching this delightful film set in such beautiful scenery.
In a few moments you will be transported to an earlier time and a different place. You cannot but enjoy this very special film.’
We then watched StudioCanal’s remastered version of the movie on the big screen. The Lakeland mountains looked magnificent and the detail amazing. Gareth Tandy, who had worked on the crew as Third Assistant Director said, ‘I’d totally forgotten that I played one of the robbers!
After an intermission, I chatted to Peter Robb-King the Make Up Designer and met up with Cedric James who’s been on the camera crew.
‘They’ve got India-rubber necks.’
Brian Sibley then interviewed the cast on how we’d got the parts, what impact the film had on our lives and what we’d spent our earnings on.
The answers proved hilarious. It was lovely to hear from Jane Grendon, Sten’s mum, who had travelled from Gloucestershire to be our official chaperone. She pointed out how very hard we had worked all that time ago.
Neville C Thomason’s daughter-in-law spoke and I displayed the flags that Richard Pilbrow had sent from America before he sadly passed away at the age of 90.
There was then time for fans to get books, cards and film posters signed in the age-old tradition. Many thanks go to Brian, Lee Pressman and other volunteers of the Cinema Museum who made it all possible. It was an amazing day. One young fan had come dressed as Titty with a green parrot on her shoulder, there were a few diminutive Amazons in red hats and Neville Thompson’s great granddaughters arrived in very smart pirate jackets.
‘Farewell and Adieu.’
Don’t worry if you missed it! There will be another chance to meet the cast and crew at Windermere Jetty in Cumbria on 29th and 30th June, when we will be having a Swallows and Amazons weekend with the boats featured in the film including Swallow, Amazon, Osprey and Lady Elizabeth as well as MV Tern, Arthur Ransome’s dinghy used as the model for Scrab and Titmouse that appeared in the BBC adaptation of ‘Coot Club’. You can find details of events on this website here.
Sophie Neville 
Wowwww… How could you group of children have guessed that you’d become cinema history?!
Ahh my mother did – hence the frantic diary keeping.
Fabulous great to see Swallows and Amazon’s lives on
Forever and ever! There is no escape. Great fun though.
you,re right Sophie, you have captivated me into starting to read all the Swallows and Amazon books recently, they remind me of my childhood and ‘freedom’ we had?
your enthusiasm I think is so brilliant, from the lovely ‘Titty’ to now in 2024,
with love.nick.
I see different things every time I read Swallows and Amazons. Are you a member of The Arthur Ransome Society?
yes, I am joining it in the morning, I have bought two lovely prints from them, they are really good quality and are on my walls framed at home, thank you for reply so much.
That’s great. I hope you enjoy the events.
How exciting. Lovely photos too. Thank you for sharing.
There was a great atmosphere. It was fascinating to hear the screenwriter David Wood’s perspective. He only visited the set once while we were filming but narrated the LP. Did you ever hear it?
I’ve seen a DVD of it, but I think it must have been a different version. I have the book too and read your book on the making of it.
So glad to hear you have the book! I feel I ought to bring out a 3rd edition with all the facts and new things of interest which have trickled in over the last ten years. Leet me know if you have any ideas or requests. Are you a member of TARS?
Don’t know what it is.
Sorry – it’s The Arthur Ransome Society. I gather it is the second biggest literary society in the UK. They have six different regions and organise events, visiting Arthur Ransome’s locations.
oooh!