FILM aficionado and Looking Back reader Mike Lee has very kindly lent us some items from his extensive collection of movie memorabilia.

He has collected DVDs, videos, articles and magazines related to movies filmed in Weymouth and Portland, a subject we have touched upon in recent times.

He said: "I have always been a cinema freak since I was young. I was crazy about going to the cinema and I still am.

"I've been going to watch films since the 1950s."

Mike, of Weymouth, has brought to our attention a film called Morning Departure, which hasn't been mentioned before.

It was filmed in Portland in 1950 at the submarine base.

Mike said: "A fine cast were at Weymouth for the filming including John Mills, Richard Attenborough, George Cole, James Hayter and Nigel Patrick.

"The film concerns a submarine HMS Trojan which is going out on an exercise and encounters an electronic mine, which does not need to make impact to explode.

"This is what happens and the forward decks are blasted off, leaving 12 men left. Four men manage to escape through the tower and four with Davis apparatus which is the only apparatus not damaged.

"The remaining four wait to be rescued. Unfortunately although rescue ships arrive and initially attach rescue lines, a heavy prolonged storm arrives and the rescue ships have to abandon the rescue leaving the four remaining crew to await their fate."

Stars John Mills and Richard Attenborough stayed at the Moonfleet Manor hotel near Weymouth .

In John Mills' book Still Memories, he recalls spending an evening discussing a new property that Dickie had his eye on with the house set to become his office as well.

John Simms was an able seaman/quartermaster on board HMS Maidstone, a submarine depot/supply ship based at Portland.

The cast of Morning Departure filmed on board and Mr Simms remembered that some of the cast, including James Hayter, were quite jovial, John Mills was a perfect gentleman and Dickie Attenborough was a bit standoffish.

The crew of Maidstone went about their usual duties whilst filming was in progress.

Mr Simms also remembers an opening scene from the film showing John Mills leaving a house in Wyke Road, but with a view across the bay.

Dockyard worker Dennis Collier remembered the filming, particularly when John Mills turned up for work in his Commander's outfit, as he was saluted by passing ordinary seamen.

A tragic incident occurred once shooting of the film was complete - submarine HMS Truculent collided with a freighter and sank - 64 lives were lost.

Mike remembers: "Despite early plans to shelve the film, the Admiralty and families of the bereaved gave their permission for the film to be shown and at the start of the film there is a dedication to the lost ship and crew."

In 1968 Mike had the honour of appearing in the musical classic Goodbye Mr Chips as an extra.

Starring Peter O'Toole and Petula Clark, a number of scenes were filmed in Sherborne, including at Sherborne School.

Mike said: "Three hundred people from Weymouth were sent up by coach to be extras for the day.

"We were paid a guinea and all had our costumes fitted. The men wore top and tails.

"We filmed at the cricket pavilion and I remember it was a very hot day and there was an outbreak of food poisoning. Some of us ended up in the hospital."

Mike has an album of colour prints from the 1969 film, which was nominated for two Oscars.

The film, which also stars Michael Redgrave, George Baker, Michael Bryant, Jack Hedley and Sian Phillips, is about a shy, withdrawn English teacher who falls for a flashy showgirl.

n Next week we're going to be looking at more or Mike's collection and discovering some more locally filmed movies.

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