Winter Gardens, Morecambe, Lancs, UK - The Entertainer (1960) - Movie Locations on Waymarking.com

This film centres around Archie Rice, an aging Musical Hall star in an age when Music Hall is dying. Archie is trying to prop up his failing career by financing a new show at the Winter Gardens. However, Archie is broke and an un-discharged bankrupt. To complicate matters Archie’s son is out in Suez and captured behind enemy lines.

Archie hits on a scheme to finance his show by seducing the runner up in a beauty contest. The runner up, Tina Lapford, is offered a part in Archie’s show and sleeps with Archie. Tina’s family agree to fund Archie’s show in order to advance Tina’s career. Archie, unwisely, starts to write cheques for his new show, on the back of the promise from Tina’s family. Unfortunately Archie’s father gets wind that Archie might divorce his wife to marry Tina. The father meets Tina’s family and spills the beans. At the same time Archie’s son in Suez is declared dead.

Archie’s world starts to fall apart. The cheques will bounce and he will be jailed unless he finds a sponsor for his show. He manages to find a sponsor, providing his father, an ex music hall player, tops the bill. Archie agrees to this, but on opening night the father dies back stage. The final scene of the film shows Archie’s last night. He finishes with the line “You’ve been a wonderful audience, perhaps I can come round to yours next time.”

The Winter Gardens are where Archie’s son performs as the ballroom organist. The clip shows Archie’s son and daughter about to enter the Winter Gardens. Although the Winter Gardens still exist, the next door ballroom no longer does.

Movie or TV Show: The Entertainer Year Released or First Aired: 1,960.00 IMDB Link: [Web Link]

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