Film nights are always an enjoyable way to brighten the darker, winter evenings.. especially in the company of friends.
This was certainly the case on Friday the 21st February, when The Friends Of St Cynllo’s Church presented the fun and frolics of the 1977 comedy classic film, “Smokey And The Bandit,” at Llangunllo Community Hall.
When notorious truckers, Bo “Bandit” Darville, and his buddy, Cledus “Snowman” Snow meet a couple of big shots and agree to smuggle a full load of Coors beers from Texas in super-quick time, Bandit didn’t bank on picking up runaway bride, Carrie, hitchhiking in her full wedding dress, having jilted the sheriff’s son at the alter!
Madcap car chases, car smashes and CB radio banter ensues, as Sherrif “Smokey Bear” Justice and his halfwit son, Junior, try to pursue Bandit and Carrie, travelling in a speedy, souped up Pontiac. Cledus thunders on in the truck, carrying the contraband, hoping to evade capture. The Justice losers, and their increasingly wrecked cruiser, fails to catch Bandit and Carrie, cheered on throughout their escapades by their many CB Radio enthusiast friends. Of course, Bandit (Burt Reynolds) and Carrie (Sally Field) fall in love, and the beer is delivered with time to spare, when the truck finally crashes successfully through police road barricades. As their victorious finale is realised, a crazy, double or nothing deal is set up with the big shots. The lovers speed off towards Boston, pursued by a line of police cars. Their new challenge; to bring back clam chowder in 18 hours..and so their adventures continue!
During the interval, beef burgers were served with a selection of tasty toppings, followed by delicious chocolate fudge traybake & a bumper prize raffle was drawn. A very happy evening was enjoyed by all, sending everyone home with smiles on their faces.
Words: Debbie Jones Photograph: Debbie Jones