The Good Companions
Square Chapel Arts Centre
Halifax-born Eric Portman, who became one of the biggest names in British cinema, is set to make an on-screen reappearance in his hometown.
The 1957 musical version of J B Priestley’s classic novel The Good Companions, in which Portman stars as the down-toearth joiner Jess Oakroyd, will be shown at the Square Chapel Arts Centre on Sunday, November 24 at 1.15pm.
The screening marks a hattrick of anniversaries including 90 years since novelist, playwright and broadcaster John Boynton Priestley was first published, the 35th anniversary of his death and the 50th anniversary of the death of actor Eric Portman.
Portman, who was born in Chester Road, Akroydon in 1901, made his name in a number of major films including, 49th Parallel, One of Our Aircraft is Missing, Millions Like Us, The Colditz Story and The Magic Box. He also enjoyed a successful career in the theatre.
J B Priestley who is also referenced as the ‘the last great man of English letters’ was born in Bradford.
His biggest success as a novelist was 1929’s The Good Companions. The film portrays Britain in its depression as is follows the lead character, played by Portman, as he leaves the family home to join a struggling touring concert party called The Dinky Doos.
Filmed in Technicolor and CinemaScope, The Good Companions also stars Celia Johnson, who famously played the lovelorn housewife in Brief Encounter, Janette Scott and her real-life mother, Dame Thora Hird of Last of the Summer
Wine fame.
The screening in the Copper auditorium at Square Chapel, has been co-sponsored by the Bradford-based JB Priestley Society.
There will be an introduction by film consultant, society member and Halifax resident Bill Lawrence.
This will be followed by the screening of the film. An exhibition curated by the J B Priestley Society will also be on display.
Michael Nelson, The J B Priestley Society’s information officer, calls the film “a version of Priestley’s most popular and enduring novel which rivals some of the great Hollywood musicals of the era”.
Tickets: 01422 349422.