The Italian Job. OK, you’ve seen it hundreds of times. And you will see it hundreds of time more. Probably. But on Friday 29 August there will be a special screening at The Parade Cinema, a charity fundraising event in aid of the Buttle UK ‘Chances for Children’ campaign. It will be to highlight Marlborough’s Carolyn and Richard Holmes’ forthcoming journey of 3,500 miles in ‘Rosie’ their forty seven year old Mini, to Venice and back along with another fifty or so beautiful classic Minis as part of this fundraising campaign. Also called ‘The Italian Job’.
And Rosie will be there, outside The Parade Cinema along with other classic Minis to celebrate this event. But it’s the film. To see, experience and enjoy one of the most memorable films of the sixties in the comfort of The Parade Cinema. A very different experience to sitting in front of the screen at home, where you – and everyone else – will see The Italian Job again, and probably again and again. It is one of those films.
But the star of the film isn’t Michael Caine. Nor Noel Coward, nor any of the other of the host of sixites stars of stage, large screen and small screen who were part of this notable film. The real star was the Mini, or to be precise, three Mini Cooper S – one in red, one in white, and one in blue. Yes, it was very patriotic. But it was all about the Mini, one of the greatest, most iconic and ground-breaking cars designed and launched anywhere since the second World War. A design masterpiece, totally British in every sense, and most amazingly it became this icon of motoring despite being made by the then BMC, later British Leyland. In the Sixties their designs were original and superb even if their build quality and output sometimes appeared to come from a different planet. But for The Italian Job, it’s the Mini – the car really is the star.
And there are still many around such as ‘Rosie’ and her contemporaries who will be making the Venice trip and back in October for ‘Chances for Children’.
For Richard and Carolyn the challenge is to raise at least £1,500, all of which will go to The Italian Job for Chances for Children.
Tickets are priced at £20, which includes a donation to Chances for Children as well the screening – and a welcome drink upon arrival. And, of course, a chance to meet Rosie, as well as Richard and Carolyn.
Click here to find out more about Buttle UK and Chances for Children and here to learn more about Richard and Carolyn’s ‘Mini Adventure to Venice and back in October.
July weather in Marlborough – hot, changeable but pretty dry
