‘GREAT’ – a documentary on the life of lifelong Twin Towns resident, Benny Gordon, will screen at the Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny on Wednesday, October 21 at 7pm.
Produced and directed by son and daughter, Seamus and Margaret, the film is a celebration of their father’s life and his relationship and marriage to the girl a few doors down, Mary Quinn. They were, as Benny says, ‘Great’.
After Mary’s death, in 2018, Benny took to reminiscing and talking about his life, brim- full of memories and stories he was happy to have recorded.
Many hours were spent making these recordings over a couple of years and Margaret has carefully edited this stockpile of film into a tender and humorous documentary, which is not only a personal story, but also a social history.
A labour of love, ‘GREAT’ tells of Benny’s early life; his school days; World War 2; smuggling; cock fighting; boxing and much more.
He worked on the Rural Electricity Scheme digging holes for poles and later wiring country houses for the first time.
He played trombone with Brendan Mc Nulty’s band during the great showband era.
Benny spent over 20 years as film projectionist in the Ritz cinema – he describes this as his dream job.
Benny celebrated his centenary in July ‘25 at his home on Donegal Road where he is living out the remainder of his days with the support of his loving family.
