Stanley’s Film Club, the community cinema based in South London, are extremely excited to be screening Their Finest (2016), as well as archive film Croydon 1943, introduced by historian John Hickman.

Ever wondered what the film industry was like during Britain’s finest hour? Then join us for this uplifting and inspirational look into the world of war time propaganda filmmaking.

Gemma Arterton stars as Catrin, a talented young copy-writer enticed to London from Wales by her self-absorbed artist husband (Jack Huston). She gets a job as a script editor with the Ministry of Information, where she’s hired to write convincing women’s dialogue (or “slop”) for morale-boosting propaganda films. Quickly noticed for her natural ability, she’s drafted by dashing movie producer Buckley (Sam Claflin) to work alongside a colourful crew to produce the morale-building cinematic stories the nation so desperately needs.

Based on the novel Their Finest Hour and a Half by Lissa Evans, debut screenwriter Gaby Chiappe’s adaptation blends shrewd wit with a lot of heart, displaying a keen sense of the mood of the time, resulting in a charming, nostalgic and spirited wartime drama.

Plus archive short:
Croydon 1943 – introduced by historian John Hickman
Courtesy of Lindsay Ould, Borough Archivist, Museum of Croydon

There’s nothing new in food waste collection. This grainy, shaky, black and white cine film showing many familiar places was shot during early to mid-1943. Croydon 1943 now seems like a distant dream. 1943 was the turning point in the war, but we barely notice that here as we glimpse an ordinary grey, cold and, because of a lack of depth of field, often misty Croydon.

For most of the film it isn’t apparent there’s a war on until we notice the periphery of the frames – a spitfire crossing the sky, the painted white rings around trees and lamp posts, a poster bearing Churchill’s image behind Croydonians going about their everyday lives. Although with hindsight we now know they were to face worse than they were presently enduring; here it appears to be quite cheerful and ‘Mustn’t grumble.’

SNCC, 10 South Norwood Hill, London, SE25 6AB
£8 adv / £10 doors (£3 discount for members)
Book here: https://thelittleboxoffice.com/stanleysfilmclub