by Ray Duffill
Keeping Mum is the next – and last – show at the “Preston Picture Palace” later this month.
“Keeping Mum is a black comedy,” says Geoff Catterick, who organises the Film Nights at Preston Community Hall.
“A village vicar preoccupied with writing the perfect sermon fails to realise that his wife is having an affair, and his children are up to no good. Enter Grace Hawkins, the new housekeeper who has a dramatic solution to the family problems… some secrets are best kept buried!
“The film stars Rowan Atkinson, Maggie Smith and Patrick Swayze.”
This will be the last time that the Community Hall will regularly don its Picture Palace mantle.
Geoff ascribes the closure of the Film Nights service to a lack of suitable films: “Our choices inevitably are easily shown on streaming services just before our planned showing.”
However, volunteer fatigue is also a key factor.
Geoff added: “The health and age of the volunteers setting up the film show has to be considered. Carrying out activities such as sorting out the chairs and tiered seating and setting up the projection equipment has increasingly proved a problem.”
The film will be screened on Friday, January 24, at 7.15pm, with the doors opening at 6.45pm. Admission is £5, and refreshments and a licensed bar are available.
Since September 2013, just over 90 films have been shown, which have been seen by around 3,000 people. The Preston Community Hall committee thanks everyone for their support over the past 11 years.
