A new exhibition opened in the UK at the end
of February with little press or media attention whatsoever, so Retro’s co-publisher Dave Worrall took up the invitation to attend a VIP party
last night to see what it was all about. Here is his report:
With the
lack of any major film related exhibition or museum in the country’s capital
city, I was glad to hear that a new attraction, The Movieum of London, had
opened at County Hall (above the Aquarium) on the South Bank right next to the
London Eye.
Spread out
across several oak-panelled corridors, with ten ‘themed’ rooms containing examples
of props, costumes, photographs, the exhibition also features a central
circular gallery housing props, miniatures, film equipment, with monitors and
large screen video displays detailing how films are made, including interviews
with film-makers. There are also flat screen monitors throughout the exhibition
corridors showing footage from classic movies made in Britain, and framed posters of
films we all love and know.
Although
there was a Dalek, C3PO, Superman’s costume and an Alien ‘egg’ on show, for me the highlight was the original gong
that audiences saw before every Rank film from the Forties through Seventies.
This is real cinema history – and causing
quite a stir among guests– so much so that I couldn’t even get close enough (or
move people out of the way) to photograph it!
So, do I
recommend The Movieum of London? Well, yes. The organisers have to be applauded
for what they are trying to achieve, and it is interesting and entertaining,
but the title of ‘Movieum’ (pronounce Mov-ieum as a play on words) does suggest
more than just an exhibition, but that’s all it is. No more. No less - and both
the Dalek, and the mini car from The
Italian Job are definitely not originals – but the kids will still love
‘em!
The
Movieum, 1st Floor, County Hall, London SE1 7PB is open 10AM to 5PM seven days a week. Adults:
£8. Children: £5. Family: £22. www.themovieum.com
(All photos copyright Cinema Retro)