Short film getting UK premiere 50 years after it was made – even though its a British cult comedy
A short film starring two British music hall stars is getting its UK premiere, more than 50 years after it was made.
Ironically it is shown every Christmas on telly in Germany.
Dinner For One, which was adapted from a stage comedy sketch, was filmed by a German TV company in 1963 and stars British actors Freddie Frinton and May Warden.
The film, which is only 18 minutes long, has been airing consistently in Germany and in Scandinavia since 1980, as part of the New Years Eve schedule.
Sounds as if its as traditional as The Queens Speech on Christmas Day.
Fun fact: it even holds a Guinness Record for being the most-repeated television programme ever.
Yet, it has never ever been shown in the actors home country. Well, that is about to change.
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The Scottish Comedy Film Festivals Slapstick Weekend is to give it its first airing, at the Campbeltown Picture House in Argyll and Bute.
Freddie is a household name in Germany – not that well known in the UK. He is so beloved there that he features on a stamp issued in Germany this year, commemorating 50 years since his death.
His son Mike told the BBC: We, as family, are delighted that Campbeltown Picture House will be the first UK cinema to screen the legendary Dinner for One and that Freddie Frintons comedy genius will be celebrated as part of the nationwide BFI season.
Germany, and a large part of Europe, have been enjoying Dinner for One as an annual New Year treat for nearly half a century, and it makes us so proud that, finally, this perfect example of comedy timing can be appreciated over here.
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Dad would have been humbled to find himself in such illustrious comedy company.
The sketch sees a wealthy English pensioner, Miss Sophie, played by Warden, celebrating her 90th birthday.
But because she has outlived all of her friends, her manservant James has to impersonate all of the usual guests, becoming increasingly intoxicated in the process.
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