When fire ripped through the home of film director Ken Russell in 2006, many of his videos and DVDs were lost.
Among them was the little-known comedy French Dressing, which was filmed in Herne Bay in 1963 and featured many townspeople as extras.
Thankfully for Russell, 81, he was able to return to the resort for the first time in more than 40 years on Friday to relive the film as part of this year’s Herne Bay Festival.
He said: “I’m very much looking forward to seeing it again as I haven’t seen it for at least two years. When my cottage in the New Forest caught fire there were 50 firemen trying to put it out but they couldn’t stop it.
“When I came home I thought the gardener was having a big bonfire, but then when I drove closer I realised the whole place was ablaze.
“I was told my wife was inside so I rushed into the garage, grabbed a ladder and smashed a window so I could go in and get her.
"Apparently she was looking for the dog.
“I never knew smoke could be so thick. It was almost as if it was alive. It was frightening.”
Fortunately for Russell, his wife had escaped before the blaze got out of control.
The director of the 1969 Oscar-winning film Women in Love was invited to introduce French Dressing as part of the Screen on the Green event in the town’s Memorial Park.
Speaking to KOS Media the day before his visit, Russell described the movie as an “off-beat comedy” about a deck-chair attendant and an entertainment officer who attempt to bring Brigitte Bardot from France.
Russell said: “I had never been to Herne Bay but my producer suggested it as a location.
“I spent a couple of weeks there adapting the screenplay and finding everything I needed.
“I don’t remember much about the town, although I do recall it had the second-longest pier in the country. I was sad to hear it was lost in a storm.
“We were treated very well and had lots of people who were willing to be extras for us, so I’m looking forward to seeing what it is like these days. Herne Bay holds a special place in my heart, but I haven’t been able to visit until now.”
While the younger generation may recognise Russell from his stint in last year’s Celebrity Big Brother, older people know him as one of the most controversial film directors of his era.
However, Russell said he disliked that description. “If I am making a film about a horrific subject then the film needs to be horrific too,” he said
“I’ve directed many films about painters, authors and historical figures, but you don’t hear as much about them because they’re not seen as headline news.”
POSTED: 24/08/2008 11:00:00
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