Dr No,

Eon Productions / United Artists, 1962,

Footnotes

Provenance:
From The Michael Armstrong Collection.

Born in Norwich, Norfolk in 1947, Michael Armstrong's lifelong fascination with cinema began a decade later, when his family settled in the market town of Wymondham. Not far from the Queen's Head pub where his mother was landlady was the town's Regal Cinema, which quickly became Michael's second home. As a lad, he loved to watch the projectionists at work and on Saturday nights would fetch them fish and chips.

As a young man, Michael became a solicitor's clerk, but continued to play an active role in the day-to-day running of the cinema, delivering leaflets and helping with projection. As films came and went, Michael rescued any publicity materials due to be thrown out, and his collection was born.

In 1993, the Regal closed, but Michael was determined to keep the cinema experience alive in the town. He converted the garage of his Wymondham home into a mini replica of the cinema, complete with its recycled fixtures and fittings. Film lovers from far and wide were treated to the full 'cinematic experience' as well as Michael's legendary hospitality there.

In 2000, a one-off screening of The Titfield Thunderbolt at Wymondham's Ex-Service's Social Club led to the formation of 'The Regal Experience'. Over the next 20 years, Michael and his team put on a regular Sunday afternoon programme of classic films. The shows were sell-outs and attracted 'An Audience With'-style personal appearances from a number of their stars, including Julie Christie, Rita Tushingham and Virginia McKenna. Charity donations were made from show proceeds, including to the Born Free Foundation, which McKenna accepted in person. In addition, his passion for cinema took him to Hollywood, and meetings with a number of his on-screen idols, including Debbie Reynolds, Jean Simmons and Tony Curtis.

In 2002, Michael was presented with a Civic Award for services to local cinema.