Inspiration: Eric Ravilious: Drawn To War

Back in 2015, we went to see the Eric Ravilious exhibition at the Dulwich Picture Gallery and it is one of my favourite exhibitions of all time (and I have been to many!). To think that his name and his art had been forgotten for several decades is outrageous. He definitely is one of the great English artists (painter, designer, engraver and war artist) and his work deserves to be rediscovered. I love his paintings but I also adore his Black and white wood engraving images. When I first heard about Margy Kinmonth's movie Eric Ravilious: Drawn to War, I know I had to go and see it, but I was doubtful that it would be shown close to where we live on the Dorset coast. Thankfully, The Rex Cinema in Wareham appeared on the list! Obviously, to have been able to go to one of the Q&As would have been even better (especially one with one of my favourite writers, Robert Mcfarlane, as one of the guest speakers). 
The film, retracing his steps from Eastbourne to Finland, is incredibly poignant and thought-provoking; one cannot help thinking about what amazing art Eric Ravilious could have contributed if he hadn't died at 39...   

We moved to Dorset a little over 5 years ago and hadn't gone to The Rex before - what a discovery! The Rex cinema Wareham is one of the oldest cinemas in the country and has been lovingly restored to its 1920s glory. So many classic films posters, ephemera, classic stars... And the best loos ever, with lifesize pictures of Hollywood stars Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire, Humphrey Bogart, Rita Hayworth and Marilyn Monroe (apologies for the bad picture, I was hurrying up!). ​

My passion for classic Hollywood movies started in my early childhood (I knew all the stars' names by the age of 10!)  and I have never stopped studying it (the studios, the stars, the early cinema industry and, of course, the movies, which I still watch regularly - there are so many I still haven't seen!). Classic cinema books take a big section of my stock of pre-loved, vintage and rare books! 
​Here are the gorgeous lobby card displays... Oh, to be able to take them home!!!​