Old folks to star in TV feature film

June 1984

Members of St. Brigid’s Old Folks Club in Wexford will make their television debuts in a £200,000 feature film that will be shot on location around the town next week.

Elderly members of the club have been commissioned as extras in the 90-minute film being made for Channel 4 and S4C Television by the Bristol-based independent film company, Thread Cross Films.

A 20-strong film crew will arrive in Wexford on Monday next for a five-day stint of shooting on The Quay, in bars and restaurants, and around the streets.

‘Crime Pays’ is the title of the film. It is a very contemporary drama written by writer/director Chris Mongen, and is based on a true story.

It tells the tale of a middle-aged taxi driver, hen-pecked at home and exploited at work.

On a sudden impulse, he runs off with the company payroll, only later realising that his action has netted him a mere £500.

Undaunted, he makes his way to Ireland, where he has the holiday of his life, living it up with various girls he meets.

When the money runs out (which presumably doesn’t take too long!), he gives himself up and is flown back to Wales, where he has suddenly become a local celebrity because of his ‘ break for freedom’.

Playing the lead role in the film is well-known Welsh actor Ronnie Williams, while the cast also includes many Irish actors and actresses.