BY MARK MAWSTON

(All photos copyright Mark Mawston. All rights reserved.)

We’ve all had it happen to us: after years of watching your favourite films in your “second home”, your favourite cinema closes its doors and the projection light flickers on the end titles for the last time, only to be replaced by the flutter of pigeon’s wings who come to roost in the empty theatre before demolition. It happened to me with the Jesmond Picture House in Newcastle and I’m sure most readers have had a similar experience. In these days of theatres without flesh and blood projectionists and the slightly automated feeling that brings to movie-watching, it is always special to have one last bastion, thriving on the tradition it’s built up over many years and one you love and visit like an old friend. Such has been the case with the London Film Fairs at Westminster Halls which I’ve been attending since moving to London exactly 30 years ago this week. Although it’s great to have something fresh, it’s also cathartic to have an experience that seems new, yet traditional at the same time, which is the way I feel about these shows. I can’t tell you how many wonderful collectibles I’ve picked up over the years here and although it became a well-loved routine to go there every other month, it never ceased to provide surprises. Sometimes that pleasure may come from meeting a memorabilia dealer who had your passion for the same films or having the opportunity to meet and photograph one of your childhood heroes through their talks about appearing in  the James Bond series or the Hammer and Amicus horror films. Sometimes there were cast and crew reunions, such as the memorable time the cast of "Thunderbirds" got back together with no strings attached. Thus, It was a great shame but sadly not much of a surprise to arrive at Westminster on Saturday 30 June not only to find it was the last day of the month but also the last fair at these hallowed halls.

Tom Baker

The London Film Fair began 45 years ago and was run by the much-missed Ed Mason for many years before Thomas Bowington took over, retaining the essence of what Ed had begun, yet bringing a more professional feel to the event, reflected in the many stars who attended. The shows are now under Showmasters management. Although the September Fair was always one of the biggest of the year, the next fair has been cancelled as the event is now moving to The Royal National Hotel in Bedford Way in London, near Russell Square. It remains to be seen if this change of location brings with it changes in those dealers and collectors who attend. One would hope it won’t but it was the familiarity I described earlier that worked so well, not only for the collectors but alsofor those who were selling, many of whom attended those first shows. One would hope that the fair, like the films it celebrates, will be seen as worth preserving by those behind the scenes as well as those who attend. We’ll know on November 18^th.

Thomas Bowington & Rosalind Knight

The main stars of the June show were, as ever, from all genres; from Bond “Octopussy” star Vijay Amritraj, to Jane Merrow (who I interview in the latest issue of Cinema Retro, #41), Sylvia Syms, Susan Penhaligon, Rosalind Knight, Leonard Whiting (who posed for Retro in his best Romeo stance from the 1968 classic), to Dr. Who companion Louise Jameson and Bond Girls Helen Hunt (“Octopussy”) and “You Only Live Twice”’s Yasuko Nagazumi. The star of the show, however, was Tom Baker, who had huge queues waiting to see him and got rapturous applause when he finally entered the building after being delayed. All in all it was a great day, although one tinged with a little sadness as it was the end of an era. Of course, although Tom Baker was the main draw, the other stars of the day were the dealers whose incredible posters, soundtracks, stills and other memorabilia still make this show one of a kind. I hope the London Film Fair's loyal attendees follow it to the new venue, as they are its beating heart.

(For more about the film fairs, go to: www.londonfilmconvention.co.uk)