Actor was shocked to get mayor’s gold medal
HOLLYWOOD actor Tom Felton reacted with shock and amazement when the former Mayor of Carmarthen, who he is portraying in a new film, sent him a personal message on BBC’S The One Show.
The Harry Potter star is one of a host of well-known faces to appear in Save The Cinema, a film set and filmed in the town and which was released on Friday.
Based on true events, it tells the story of how local woman Liz Evans battled against the odds to save her beloved Lyric Theatre from being demolished and consigned to history.
She also pushed to get Jurassic Park – one of the biggest films of all time – shown in Carmarthen’s iconic cinema.
She did so with the help of then town mayor Richard Goodridge, who is played in the film by Felton.
He is the man who sent Steven Spielberg a telegram asking if it could be arranged for his 1993 blockbuster to be shown at the Lyric.
On Tuesday last week, Felton appeared as a guest on The One Show on BBC One to talk about the upcoming film, which also stars Samantha Morton, Jonathan Pryce, Adeel Akhtar, Colm Meaney, and a cameo from Carmar-then’s Rhod Gilbert.
Appearing on video link on the show to speak to presenters Lauren Laverne and Jermaine Jenas, Felton had no idea of the surprise in store.
“Richard [Goodridge], who you play in the film, is actually a friend of The One Show,” explained Laverne. “When we told Richard that you were coming on, he wanted to send you this message.”
Mr Goodridge then appeared on the screen and said: “Good evening, Tom. I would like to congratulate you most warmly on your portrayal of myself in the film Save The Cinema.
“It’s a fantastic film, everyone I’m sure
I would love to present you with this gold medal – the mayor’s medal – that comes with my compliments for all the work and effort that both you and all the cast have done in bringing Carmarthen’s story to the attention of the world
Former Carmarthen mayor Richard Goodridge
will enjoy it thoroughly. “I would love to present you with this gold medal – the mayor’s medal – that comes with my compliments for all the work and effort that both you and all the cast have done in bringing Carmarthen’s story to the attention of the world. Thank you so much, and good luck.” Felton could not hide his delight at being given the honour by former mayor Mr Goodridge, and beamed as he said: “That’s unreal; that’s definitely caught me by surprise.”
Save The Cinema was released on Friday in cinemas and on Sky Cinema.
■ Film released at crucial time for cinema-going: pages 14&15