Royal Film Performances

[Mr Dean]

Picture Show Annual for 1955 includes an item on Rob Roy, shown as the RFP on October 26, 1953. It uses both the shorter and longer versions of the title on the same page.

It claims that the film was "one of the top-ranking successes of the year", netting £20,000 at the RFP and including 'gala showings' of the film in Bristol and Bournemouth.

If anybody has a copy of Film Review for 1955 it will list openings for October-December 1953, when presumably Rob Roy got its release.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by Mr Dean Picture Show Annual for 1955 includes an item on Rob Roy, shown as the RFP on October 26, 1953. It uses both the shorter and longer versions of the title on the same page.

Thanks Mr Dean. I've submitted that to the IMDb for addition.

Steve

[Mr Cosmo]

I can't find a list of all the films that have been selected as the Royal Films from 1948 to date.
Can anyone out there point me to one?
Thanks in anitici




pation

[christoph404]

Originally Posted by Mr Cosmo I can't find a list of all the films that have been selected as the Royal Films from 1948 to date. Can anyone out there point me to one? Thanks in anitici pation

Go to Welcome to the official web site of the British Monarchy and go to the "search" icon at the botom of the home page and type in "film performances" in the search bar. Click on the "press release 2002" at the top of the page and it will give you the full list and some background history. Just been on there to check it out for you, its very interesting.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by christoph404 Go to Welcome to the official web site of the British Monarchy and go to the "search" icon at the botom of the home page and type in "film performances" in the search bar. Click on the "press release 2002" at the top of the page and it will give you the full list and some background history. Just been on there to check it out for you, its very interesting.

They mention the first one in the body of the text, when Mr & Mrs King and the two princesses went to see A Matter of Life and Death on 1st November 1946.

But they don't list any others from the reign of George VI. They start the list of Royal Film Performances in Elizabeth's reign with Because You're Mine in 1952.

Steve

[samkydd]

Originally Posted by Mr Cosmo I can't find a list of all the films that have been selected as the Royal Films from 1948 to date. Can anyone out there point me to one? Thanks in anitici pation

It was rather baffling that they used to televise these events, but you never got to see the film, just a load of Royals, filmies and hangers-on arriving at the cinema! What was the point in that?

[christoph404]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook They mention the first one in the body of the text, when Mr & Mrs King and the two princesses went to see A Matter of Life and Death on 1st November 1946. But they don't list any others from the reign of George VI. They start the list of Royal Film Performances in Elizabeth's reign with Because You're Mine in 1952. Steve

1947- The Bishops Wife
1948- Scott of the Antartic
1949- Forsyte Saga
1950- The Mudlark
1951-Where No Vultures Fly

I think that should cover them all. or at least the ones Mr Cosmo is looking for.

[penfold]

I always find it a bit odd that they insist on AMOLAD being the first Royal Command Film Performance when they were regular events going back to the reign of Queen Victoria....

[christoph404]

Originally Posted by penfold I always find it a bit odd that they insist on AMOLAD being the first Royal Command Film Performance when they were regular events going back to the reign of Queen Victoria....

The name changed from being "The Royal Command Film Performance" to "The Royal Film Performance" in 1946 and AMOLAD was the first under that title. The first feature film under "The Royal Command Film Performance" was in 1917 , "Tom Brown's Schooldays" There were film events dating back to 1896. You are right though, it is incorrect to say AMOLAD was the first "Royal Command Film Performance" but it was the first "Royal Film Performance" to give it its correct title.

[Mr Cosmo]

Many thanks everyone. Great source of info Christoph. You look at some of the choices and wonder why on earth they were chosen. I remember the dreary TABLE FOR 5 being the 1983 choice despite the fact there were lots of good British films around at the time.
I imagine some members of the Royal Family feeling less than chuffed to have to sit through some of these - but compared to the ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCEs, they were probably a good night out!

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by penfold I always find it a bit odd that they insist on AMOLAD being the first Royal Command Film Performance when they were regular events going back to the reign of Queen Victoria....

The Royal Family had seen films before. Mainly in private screenings at one of the palaces. They would command a film to be screened for them. They had also attended some premieres before.

The AMOLAD screening was a Royal Film Performance and was run in aid of the Cinematograph Trade Benevolent Fund.

See Royal Film Performance for a contemporary view

Steve

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by Mr Cosmo Many thanks everyone. Great source of info Christoph. You look at some of the choices and wonder why on earth they were chosen. I remember the dreary TABLE FOR 5 being the 1983 choice despite the fact there were lots of good British films around at the time. I imagine some members of the Royal Family feeling less than chuffed to have to sit through some of these - but compared to the ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCEs, they were probably a good night out!

It was all for charity
See Royal Film Performance for a contemporary report of how and why the first film was chosen

Steve

[Mark O]

I recall reading once when 'secrets' were revealed after the 30 year holding rule, that the Queen wasn't very happy having watched 'Beau Brummel'........one reason being it put her ancestor in a bad light

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by Mark O I recall reading once when 'secrets' were revealed after the 30 year holding rule, that the Queen wasn't very happy having watched 'Beau Brummel'........one reason being it put her ancestor in a bad light

In that case, I wonder what she thought of Anne of the Thousand Days (1969) and Mary, Queen of Scots (1971). Not ancestors, but both Queens that were executed

Steve

[Mark O]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook In that case, I wonder what she thought of Anne of the Thousand Days (1969) and Mary, Queen of Scots (1971). Not ancestors, but both Queens that were executed Steve

Good point Steve!.......HM being a Queen herself must have felt a little queasy I'm sure!

I know one Movie premier she attended recently was 'Casino Royale'........wonder what she thought of the 'ball-bruising' scenes?!!