#FFWFest Day One: Something of a triumph, I feel

[miss_s_b]

I had the feeling this year was going to be a good one watching all the excited tweets from people I didn't know on twitter. There was a real buzz in the museum when we were queueing to pick up our passes, and we ran into lots of people we knew. The air of excitement as we went into the first film was palpable.

Bloodbath at the House of Death

This is a very very silly film, written by Barry Cryer and starring a wealth of British comedy talent - John Fortune and Pamela Stephenson - and has Vincent Price in intentionally over the top ham mode. None the less it also has some very effective horror touches too, not always played for laughs. I liked it very much, and from the giggles and cheers throughout the film, so did everybody else.

Best bits were the musical joke, the Alien joke, and the sensitively portrayed (no, seriously) gay relationship between the very sexy Don Warrington and Gareth Hunt.

8/10

Horror Express

If you don't know how much I love this film by now you've not been paying attention. One of the joys of the FFW is that I am joined by like-minded people in a party atmosphere in a lovely cinema. There was cheering and applause throughout the film, and laughter and reciting of lines too. It was glorious.

Best bits? Oh, At your age, I'm not surprised, PEASANTS!, Monster? But we're British! and of course My God! It's the baggage man!... The cod science, zombie Telly Savalas, Christopher Lee Action Hero of Many Weapons, and the fct that everyone in the film only knows one tune... I could go on about this film forever.

10/10

Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires

The print the museum has obtained of this was beautiful. There was the odd scratch, and one scene was a bit yellow-hued, but mostly it was superb. I have never had the full widescreen big screen experience of this before, and again, the audience bursting into spontaneous applause added to the atmosphere. If you've never seen this film you really should; it's a Kung Fu Vampire movie with Peter Cushing in it. What more recommendation do you need?

Best bits? The very accomplished martial artist lady, and giggling at the Definitely Not Christopher Lee Dracula.

Peter Sasdy in Conversation with Tony Earnshaw

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from this; I am a big fan of some of Sasdy's output (Taste the Blood of Dracula and The Stone Tape in particular) but I knew nothing about the man himself. He turned out to be witty, urbane, and charming. He had the audience eating out of his hands within minutes, and the lovely Mr Earnshaw was just giving the odd prompt, but mostly letting him talk.

Best bits? I got to ask a question about The Stone Tape and he gave me lots of attention and engaged with what I had said and gave a fuller answer to my question than I could have hoped for, and flattered me with two thumbs up and telling me that I had made him ant to watch the DVD with my enthusiasm. Sadly, due to transport issues we had to leave before he finished (stupid buses).

Conclusions

Not a duff moment all day. Was great chatting to old friends, and the program was very entertaining. I loved the feature that seems to have been extended this year: you know how when you go to the cinema you get adverts and trailers? Well this year more than ever at the FFW we are getting adverts and trailers from the era that the films are from, and it's really adding to the pleasure of it, embedding one into the atmosphere before the film even starts. I only wish we could have stayed for the midnight screening of the Exorcist, but apparently it's packed out, which is very happy-making :D

I am really looking forward to tomorrow :D