Documentary (14 mins long) about the premiere for the Judy Garland / James Mason film "A Star is Born" - most of the action takes place at the Warner Theatre, Leicester Square, London. Commentary by Richard Attenborough and Sheila Sim.
SV. Exterior, people entering theatre - arriving at the film premiere "A Star is Born". Flashback to preparations for the premiere during the daytime - neon lights and signs erected, flowers are delivered, polishing and cleaning etc. Organising committee look at a plans for the evening. Stars are seen preparing for the evening. Diana Dors looking super glamorous leaves a film studio (Pinewood?) in an amazing car. Janette Scott has a dress fitting by Michael Whittaker (?), Sheila Sim and Richard Attenborough get ready together and rush out of a room after grabbing their tickets.
Miss Walters the manageress of the cinema inspects her usherettes. Jock McGregor (?) hands out programmes and heart shaped collecting boxes to "starlets" who have volunteered to help out for the evening . Proceeds will go to the Actor's Orphanage and Variety Club's Heart Fund. Good shots of photographers and cameramen getting ready to take pictures of the star guests. Also girl reporter with notebook. Various shots of crowds outside Warner Theatre, Leicester Square and their counterparts at the earlier American premiere on New York's Broadway (more rowdy). We see stars: Danny Thomas, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Clark Gable, Jack Carson and Judy Garland.
Guests at the London Premiere include: Phyllis Calvert, Eunice Gayson, Finlay Currie, Thora Hird and Janette Scott, John Gregson, Robert Beatty, Jack Buchanan, Gene Nelson, Jill Adams, Leo Genn, Sir John Gielgud, Diana Wynyard, Mai Zetterling, Patricia Roc, Ann Todd, Mary Parker, Cecil Madden, Peggy Cummins, Elizabeth Allen, Sir Laurence Olivier, Kay Kendall, Richard (Dickie) Attenborough, Jack Hawkins, Sheila Sim, Kenneth More. Guests are received upstairs by Sir Laurence Olivier, the chief Barker of the Variety Club, Mr and Mrs C.J. Latta and Kenneth More.
Scenes in the projection box - technicians waiting for a signal. Guests are seated. Signal given. Various shots of the projectors being set up and started. We then see section from the film
Check copyright before using following section. We see the Warner Brothers logo then several clips from the feature film "A Star is Born" Judy Garland performs "Born in a Trunk". This is followed by a clip showing a love scene between Garland and James Mason then a scene of Judy emoting over the end of her marriage (I think - from memory).
Guests are seen leaving the cinema - shot from a high angle.
FILM ID:2285.04
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