[Classifieds] : Woods Hole Library Film, Dec 8: The Box of Delights

[MBL Classifieds]

From: "Jennifer Gaines" <jgaines at clamsnet.org> 




Film: December 8, Saturday 

Woods Hole Public Library 




A film which has become a Yuletide tradition in Britain will be shown at the Woods Hole Public Library on Saturday, December 8 at 2:30 pm . It is The Box of Delights, originally a children's fantasy novel by John Masefield , first published in 1935. Since then, there have been three radio adaptations of the story and in 1984 it was adapted for television by the BBC , and broadcast in a weekly series, with the last episode transmitted on Christmas Eve . Recently that production has been merged into three sections. On Saturday December 8 at 2:30 at the Woods Hole the first two parts will be shown. It is recommended for older children and their adults. 




Noted for its yuletide atmosphere (it is set during Christmas holidays), the film used an innovative mixture of live action and animation , to bring the adventure alive. The railway station scenes were filmed at Bewdley and Arley on the steam heritage Severn Valley Railway and the exterior shots of a theological college were filmed at Eastnor Castle , near Ledbury , Herefordshire . 





The central character is young boy Kay who, on returning by train from boarding school , finds himself mixed up in a battle to possess a magical box. The owner of the box is an old Punch and Judy man called Cole Hawlings, whom Kay meets at the railway station. They develop an instant rapport, and this leads Cole to confide that he is being chased by a man called Abner Brown and his gang. For safety, Cole entrusts the box to Kay, who then goes on to have many adventures. 




Strange things begin to happen. Arriving at his destination, the boy is immediately accosted by a bright-eyed old man with a mysterious message: “The wolves are running.” Soon danger is everywhere, as a gang of criminals headed by the notorious wizard Abner Brown and his witch wife Sylvia Daisy Pouncer gets to work. What does Abner Brown want? The magic box that the old man has entrusted to Kay, which allows him to travel freely not only in space but in time, too. The gang will stop at nothing to carry out their plan, even kidnapping Kay’s friend, the tough little Maria Jones, and threatening to cancel Christmas celebrations altogether. But with the help of his allies, including an intrepid mouse, a squadron of Roman soldiers, the legendary Herne the Hunter, and the inventor of the Box of Delights himself, Kay just may be able rescue his friend, foil Abner Brown’s plot, and save Christmas, too. 

At once a thriller and a spellbinding fantasy, The Box of Delights is a great English children’s book and a perfect Christmas treat. It is offered free of charge as part of the Library’s seasonal offerings. For more information, call the Woods Hole Public Library at 508-548-8961 or check out the website at www.woodsholepubiclibrary.org . 
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