We want to get to know you more to help improve our service. Please take 2 minutes to fill out our survey here. Thank you! test2

Discover content and watch films on our latest and improved iOS app. Download it here!

This film is part of Free

World Premiere of "Kipps"

Glamour comes to wartime Folkestone as the town hosts its first world film premiere.

Documentary 1941 6 mins

Overview

The coastal town of Folkestone was on the front line during the war, with the fear of German invasion very real. So the arrival of stars from the film Kipps, attending the first 20th Century-Fox premiere to be held outside London, brought much-needed glamour and excitement to the beleaguered residents. Actors Phyllis Calvert, Michael Redgrave and Diana Wynyard address assembled dignitaries at a formal dinner before awarding prizes at a dance.

Folkestone was selected for the honour as author H.G. Wells lived in the area from the late 1890s to 1909, having moved there to recuperate from illness. His source novel Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul was published in 1905. Carol Reed's 1941 film was the second screen adaptation following the 1921 silent version, which was set in Folkestone.