Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
Founder of Cinecom, Natalie Thompson (right) soaks up the congratulations from guests at the company's 30th anniversary party, held at the Royal Jamaica Yacht Club, off the Norman Manley Highway, last Saturday. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
IT WAS like a Jamaican Hollywood party last Saturday, when Cinecom Productions, the island's foremost film and TV production company, celebrated 30 years.
"Can you believe Nat (founder Natalie Thompson) has been in business for 30 years? She looks so good!" asked a truly stunned Kay Osborne, after meeting the hostess.
Spools, stars and reels of film were hung all around the Royal Jamaica Yacht Club, along with posters of movies such as local favourites The Harder They Come and international blockbusters like Scarface. As expected, stars of film, television and stage came to party under the stars by the yacht club's docks.
Ms. Thompson thanked her parents for having the courage to allow her to attempt this venture on her own all those years ago. She reeled off the names like the scroll at the end of a movie. She hailed Brian St. Juste, Chris Brownie, Liz Hall, Maxine Pessoa and all those who had assisted in making Cinecom what it is; the best there is.
OLD FAVOURITES
Since this was a night for reminiscing, some of the old commercials we used to love were shown again; bringing the same joy and humour they did all those years ago. Old favourites like Quench Aid, Clairol Beautiful Browns and a host of others paraded across the screen. Perennial show-stoppers Fab 5 then took over to rock the pier to its foundations.
Among the guests were Dorothy Cunningham and daughter Nicola; Bob Kerr; Charles Hyatt; Franklyn 'Chappy' St. Juste; J. Lester Spaulding; Munair Zacca; Fae Ellington; Tony Scott; Tony Robinson; Deiwight Peters; Marcia Forbes and husband Richard and Peter and Suzanne Couch.
