Remember When: Film stars graced the Capital

IT has been bringing glitz and glamour to the Capital for decades '“ and this year's offering is no different.
Film producer Betty Box, director Ralph Thomas and actor Dirk Bogarde read the programme for the 1955 Edinburgh Film Festival at the Film House in Hill StreetFilm producer Betty Box, director Ralph Thomas and actor Dirk Bogarde read the programme for the 1955 Edinburgh Film Festival at the Film House in Hill Street
Film producer Betty Box, director Ralph Thomas and actor Dirk Bogarde read the programme for the 1955 Edinburgh Film Festival at the Film House in Hill Street

As the Evening News reported this week, a follow-up to animated hit Finding Nemo will get top billing at the Edinburgh International Film Festival as it celebrates its 70th anniversary.

Finding Dory, which sees American actress Ellen DeGeneres provide the voice of the forgetful fish, is expected to fill all 1900 seats in the Festival Theatre for its UK premiere. Organisers also want to reunite the cast of Trainspotting on the red carpet – but have admitted former patron Sir Sean Connery is unlikely to attend this year’s festival.

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The EIFF will be bookended by world premieres of golf drama Tommy’s Honour, filmed by Sir Sean’s son, Jason, in St Andrews and a remake of Whisky Galore, starring Gregor Fisher and Eddie Izzard.

Actor and director Orson Welles arrives at the Cameo Cinema during the 1953 Edinburgh Film FestivalActor and director Orson Welles arrives at the Cameo Cinema during the 1953 Edinburgh Film Festival
Actor and director Orson Welles arrives at the Cameo Cinema during the 1953 Edinburgh Film Festival

Film producer Betty Box, director Ralph Thomas and actor Dirk Bogarde read the programme for the 1955 Edinburgh Film Festival in Hill Street.

Westerns legend Clint Eastwood was in town for the premiere of White Hunter, Black Heart at the 1990 Film Festival.

Orson Welles visited the Cameo during the 1953 Film Festival to give a lecture where he declared that “the film industry is dying”.

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The White Cockade Club hosted Terry Thomas with director John Boulting and his wife, Anne, after the premiere of the film Lucky Jim in 1957.

And French film stars Dominique Wilms, Nicole Berger and Nadine Tallier were at the Filmhouse in 1958.