FOR over 20 years Ballybofey man, Benny Gordon, worked as film projectionist in the iconic Ritz cinema in his home town.
Now the life and times of the well known centenarian is being projected onto another screen in the nearby Balor Theatre – capturing through interviews and images a story that is 100 years old.
The documentary ‘Great’ has been produced and directed by Benny’s son, Seamus, and daughter, Margaret, and is, they say, a celebration of their father’s life including his working career and his relationship and marriage to the girl who lived a few doors down from him, Mary Quinn. They were, as Benny indicates, “great”.
After her 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 one hour long documentary that is not only a personal but a social history.
Benny Gordon with members of the Ballybofey, Stranorlar and District Historical Society, launching the group’s National Heritage Week celebrations last August.
A labour of love, ‘Great’ charts 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 also worked as Home Assistance Officer with the then North Western Health Board and later as rent collector with Donegal County Council – bringing with his roles both empathy and good humour.
Outside his working career, he played trombone with his good friend, Brendan McNulty’s band during the great showband era.
Benny also spent over 20 years as film projectionist in the Ritz cinema – describing this as his dream job.
He celebrated his centenary last July at his home on Donegal Road where he is living out the remainder of his days in his own home with the help of his loving family.
The film will be preceded by a short documentary, ‘Crossing Lines’ – the story of Twin Town Harps, focusing on 1979 when a group of young women formed a football team, made up of cross border and cross religious personnel. This film was also produced and directed by Seamus and Margaret Gordon along with Tom Hannigan and Sean Harkin.
The films will be screened in the Balor Theatre on Monday and Tuesday, March 23 and 24 with a starting time of 8.30pm.
Admission fee is €10 – children free – with proceeds being divided up between the Jigsaw Mental Health Support Service for young people; Animals in Donegal Aid Sanctuary; and Finn Harps F.C.