At Christmas there is a feast of classic movies on television. I often wonder why these films are not shown over a longer period of time, during the rest of the year when there are no decent movies showing.

I have long been a fan of the glitter and glamour of Hollywood. I admire its great stars and its memorable films.

The golden age of Hollywood was in the 1930’s, ’40’s and ’50’s. The king-pin of the Hollywood studios was M.G.M., boasting a shimmering collection of stars, including the ‘King’ of Hollywood, Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Greta Garbo and Joan Crawford.

M.G.M specialised in musicals. Who will ever forget ‘Singing in the Rain’ and ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’, made in the fifties.

They also adapted classic novels for the screen. Two that stand out in particular are ‘Anna Karenina’ with the divine Greta Garbo and Frederick March and also ‘David Copperfield’ with a knock-out performance by W.C. Fields as Mr. Micawber.

Warner Brothers studios were noted for their gangster films, their westerns and their film-noir detective stories. Amongst its array of stars were my favourite actor, Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson, Jimmy Cagney, Bette Davis and Lauren Bacall.

Who will ever forget Raymond Chandler’s ‘The Big Sleep’ with real-life husband and wife team Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Bogie played Chandler’s hard-boiled private eye Philip Marlowe to perfection.

Of all the famous partnerships in Hollywood, perhaps the most famous and enduring was that of Bogart and Bacall. Their screen chemistry was magical and their love scenes were sizzling. They are my favourite Hollywood couple.

Warner Brothers’ gangster films were superb. The best exponents of this type of role were Jimmy Cagney and Edward G. Robinson.

The first gangster film produced by Warners was ‘Little Caesar’ I will never forget as Robinson’s bullet-riddled body lies on the ground his famous end line of dialogue: “Is this the end of Rico?”

In the 1940’s a memorable gangster film was ‘White Heat’ with Jimmy Cagney. He portrayed the role of Cody Garrett, a vicious hoodlum who was obsessed with his ageing mother. At the end of the film Garrett, surrounded by the police, climbs to the top of a gas refinery.

He blows himself to kingdom come uttering the immortal closing line of the script: “Look at me, Ma, top of the world. Made it”

Every Christmas night me, my mum and dad would watch the big film on BBC 1. BBC was always the best station for great movies.

I will always remember Christmas 1970. That year I had sat and passed my Group Certificate examination. My parents were thrilled and so was I. With my exam results I hoped to get a job as a printer.

That Christmas was special. The film that night was ‘The Great Escape’, perhaps the most celebrated of the prisoner-of-war movies.

The tradition of the Wren Day celebrations on St. Stephen’s Day in Sandymount enter their fifteenth year. With craic and ceol an integral part of proceedings, a great day out is guaranteed. If you really want to enter the spirit of the celebrations, you have to dress up in a fun costume. The more colourful the better!

There will be a fund-raising bucket collection on the day for the ongoing developments in the Cerebral Palsy Clinic on Sandymount Avenue. It was Bob Ryan who, used to work with the clinic, who was one of the originators of the Wren day celebrations in Sandymount all those years ago. He, of course, will be in attendance in his usual ebullient self.

Grand Marshall and M.C. for the day will be local chemist and bon viveur, Michael McAuliffe. Proceedings will commence at 11am with poetry readings by local and visiting scribes in O’Reillys Pub.

Special thanks to Paul O’Reilly for his hospitality on this event. All are welcome to attend and bring their own work to entertain the gathering. The Guinness Gig Rig will be in place at the Green to give an ideal back drop to the entertaining displays.

A new addition to the music accompaniment will be a Lambeg Drum. With the help of former SIPTU Trade Union president, John Carroll, the drum will be beating its way to the proceedings.

Of course the usual suspects, Ciaran Mac Mathuna, Ruairi Quinn, Pat McEvoy, Tom Aherne, Peter and Bridie Murphy will bring their own vim and vigour to the event. While Ned O’Shea of the O’ Sheas Merchant Pub on the Quays will be bringing his entertaining contacts. Olive Hurley and her Irish Dancing proteges will as usual give their vibrant display. This year sees Margaret Handley and the Set Dancing Class from Clanna Gael also bringing their skillful talents to the stage.

Bennett’s Auctioneers have generously dedicated their premises to provide tea and coffee, under the stewardship of Bridie Murphy. Something stronger, of course, will be available in Ryan’s and O’Reillys.

Three stalwarts of Sandymount’s Wren Day, seen here performing earlier in the year on Bloomsday. They will be in full flow on St. Stephen’s Day. Left to right: Tom Ahern, Pat McEvoy and Bob Ryan.