I’m No Angel (1933), dir. Wesley Ruggles
Bristol Megascreen at Bristol Aquarium, Anchor Road,Bristol UK, BS1 5TT
Saturday 30 November, 10:00 (GMT)

Rating: U
Running Time: 1hr, 27min, plus intro

Tickets: £8.50 / £5 Concessions, plus 10% booking fee

 

Tira, a bold circus star, performs a daring lion-taming act. Desperate for money, she agrees to a dangerous new stunt: putting her head inside a lion’s mouth! This thrilling act propels the circus to New York, where Tira indulges in her favorite pastime: flirting with wealthy men and receiving lavish gifts. Trouble arises when her decision to marry leads to conflict with her boss. With an introduction by circus expert, Kate Holmes.

Screen legends Mae West (Belle of the Nineties) and Cary Grant (who also supported West in She Done Him Wrong) star in this sizzling Pre-Code comedy about a carnival performer with greater aspirations…wealthy men! In addition to circus acts, Tira (West) performs some questionable business maneuvers and takes a job as a lion tamer to escape jail. After Tira’s first show catapults her to stardom, she attracts the attention of the wealthy Kirk Lawrence (Kent Taylor, The Phantom from 10,000 Leagues), who happens to be engaged. His business partner, Jack Clayton (Grant), blows his friend’s cover and begins a romance with Tira. This time, Tira is in love for real and is devastated when a misunderstanding causes Jack to break off the affair. Serving as her own counsel, Tira sues Jack for breach of contract and takes him through a cross-examination he’ll never forget! Written by West and directed by Wesley Ruggles (No Man of Her Own).

Cary Grant co-stars in this delightful pre-Code comedy, showcasing his early role as a matinee idol before he developed his legendary star persona. The film also features Bristol-born Nigel De Brulier in a minor role as the fortune-teller. We will be joined by a volunteer from Frenchay Village Museum to offer an insight into his birthplace.

Trailer:

Tickets: £8.50 / £5 Concessions, plus 10% booking fee

 

Dr Kate Holmes is a leading circus and popular entertainments researcher, and Cary Grant fan. Her own amateur aerial performance practice and circus-going led her to research aerial history. Kate examines how dynamic motion excited audiences and reveals more about culture and society. She is also interested in how transatlantic early twentieth century performers made a living moving between film, vaudeville, variety and circus. Kate has researched Bristol circus history and loves talking about movement.
Frenchay Village Museum houses a collection of artefacts and artwork, focusing on local and social history as well as prominent families who resided here. There is a strong emphasis on the 19th century, with displays exploring themes of commerce and invention through the story of the chocolate manufacturers J.S.Fry’s and sons, in addition to Victorian exploration illustrated by the exploits of the the Tuckett family and in particular famed mountaineer Francis Fox Tuckett. These subjects are brought to life through images and a variety of objects and memorabilia that are currently on display. Frenchay Village Museum also celebrate the history of Frenchay Hospital, which closed in 2014 in a dedicated gallery where you can trace it’s origins as a TB Hospital for Children, through to the American GI occupation during WW2 and up to the 21st century in an exhibition that commemorates the hospital’s medical innovations and community spirit.  Alongside our permanent displays we host regular temporary exhibitions, our upcoming exhibition will be on the subject of the Old Frenchay School.

It is the birthplace of Francis Packer, later known as Nigel De Brulier, born in Frenchay on 8th August 1877, who went on to have a successful career in silent films, appearing in over 100 movies, including I’m No Angel (albeit in a minor role). Learn more about this fascinating local figure at Frenchay Museum where you can purchase a book, Frankie Went to Hollywood: The Life of Frank Packer, to delve deeper into his story.
Content warning: depiction of ill-treatment of animals which may cause some viewers offence.
We’ll be exploring the evolving ethics and practices of working with animals in film and TV at the Animal Magic! panel, where Michael Lawrence (University of Sussex) and Theo Jones (VFX Supervisor, Framestore) will be in conversation with the Matthew Sweet (BBC Free Thinking).

You might also be interested in:

OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION
WITH LIVE MUSIC FROM THE
RICHIE PARADISE TRIO		 PANEL: CARY IN MOTION
CELEBRATING CARY GRANT’S
PHYSICAL PROWESS		 PANEL: ANIMAL MAGIC!
PANEL DISCUSSION WITH MATTHEW SWEET,
MICHAEL LAWRENCE AND THEO JONES 

 

Celebrating Bristol’s recent designation as a UNESCO City of Film, in recognition of the city’s vibrant screen heritage, of which Cary Grant is one of our brightest stars.