In Memoriam: Christopher Nolan “Uncle Spud” Speed.

Was given some sad news last night. My Uncle, Christopher Nolan “Spud” Speed had passed away in his sleep. He was aged 77.

He wasn’t anybody big in the movies industry, but if it wasn’t for him it’s highly unlikely I’d have a passion for movies and thus this blog wouldn’t exist.

This man took me to see my first film in the local one screen picture house (The Ritz Cinema in Gosport if anyone is interested, the movie was Clash of the Titans and it had a Tom and Jerry cartoon before it too) and was so enthusiastic about movies which in turn got me hooked too. He’d worked in cinema as a projectionist (when they actually had reels of film back in the mists of history) and also on his many travels met several celebrities including his “God” Louie B Mayer. His movie knowledge was encylopaedic and the little snippets of things you’d unlikely know about either actors, movie studios (especially MGM) and movies were incredible. Spud was the kind of guy you took to the pub when movie quizzes were on, you knew you had an extremely high chance of winning!

I’m sitting at my desk, typing this drinking an Earl Grey (something Spud loved) and thinking he’s up there in the massive multiplex in the sky. They’re screening a double bill of Tarzan and the Lost Safari and The Shirilee (Two movies he was desperate to track down copies of on DVD and was never able to…I’m going to have to do reviews on them now methinks.) and he’l he there in a recliner seat with a massive bucket of KFC (they allow hot food in the cinema) and a supersize soda having an extreme blast.

Rest in Peace, Uncle Spud….keep watching the silver screens, I know I will.

CHRISTOPHER NOLAN “UNCLE SPUD” SPEED 1942-2019 R.I.P.