There is a nautical theme to this year’s film night at the Manx Museum on Friday 12th March, hosted by Manx National Heritage. 

The screening of archival films will include an edited version of Danger Point, a children’s drama filmed in Port Erin, Douglas and other island locations. 

Released in 1971 by the Children’s Film and Television Foundation, the story unfolds when three reckless teenagers borrow a yacht belonging to the local Sea Scouts and run out of fuel.

The public and anyone involved on and off screen in the film are invited to enjoy this rare screening:  Buchan School girls, HM Coastguard and the Port Erin lifeboat all feature in the tale and there are bonus appearances by Nicholas Parsons and Hattie Jacques as adult characters in the story.

Water of a more enclosed kind is shown in a sequence taken at the Henry Bloom Noble Baths, Victoria Street, Douglas in the 1960s.  

Moving to the outdoors, the edited compilation will include Isle of Man Sub Aqua Club members, Douglas Bay swim competitors, 1960s power boat races and the stirring arrival in May 1965, dressed overall, of the Ben my Chree V. 

Most special perhaps is footage of Radio Caroline North in Manx waters.

Those interested in films taken on land will not be disappointed either: screen time is given to air races at Jurby airfield, royal visits, motor sport such as the Tholt y Will hill climb, agricultural shows, Douglas carnival and the Arbory parochial festival, Laa Columb Killey in Manx Millennium Year, 1979.

Manx National Heritage Archivist, Wendy Thirkettle, commented, "The film night is a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase some of the rare and unique footage that can be found in the Manx National Heritage Archives.

"It is an opportunity to see the Isle of Man as many people fondly remember it and will no doubt stir up personal memories.

"However you don’t need to have lived it to find the footage fascinating, the children’s drama Danger Point will have any age gripped!"

The film night is always a popular event.  There will be a matinee screening of the same programme at the Manx Museum on Saturday 17th April at 2.30pm to give another opportunity to enjoy the films on the big screen.

Doors open on Friday 12th March at 7pm for a 7.30pm start and the screening will last until around 9.30pm.  Admission is free.