Each month, Melanie Friesen invites a distinguished guest to Vancity Theatre’s Cinema Salon, in order to present his/her favourite film. After the screening, both audience and speaker have the opportunity to engage over drinks and snacks in the Vancity lounge. This month’s film is Basil Dearden’s Pool of London.
Pool of London captures the lives of the labourers and police who work the London docklands and features the first interracial romance on British film. During the 48 hours while their cargo ship is in port, two merchant seamen come ashore – Dan, a cocky hit with the girls who dabbles in smuggling, and his best friend Johnny, a shy Jamaican who gratefully follows in the shadow of his arrogant friend.
Risking his life after a robbery, Dan must extricate Johnny from a murder charge. Shot on location in post-World War II docklands and central London, this evocative and atmospheric film also offers a priceless record of a city long gone.
[John Atkin photo by Wayne Worden]
This month’s Cinema Salon is hosted by John Atkin, a civic historian and author who’s explored our city like few others have. John brings an interesting and offbeat insight to the city’s architecture, history and neighbourhoods. With a background in urban planning/development and a love of architecture, John both creates and conducts a number of unique and popular walking tours throughout Vancouver with the perception and fascination of the curious.
Each September, he takes a small group across the pond to explore little known aspects of London.
Vancity Cinema Salon with John Atkin Presents Pool of London
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 7:30 pm
Venue: Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $13.00; may be purchased online
