Nostalgia: Capital's galaxy of stars

Published on Monday 14 February 2011 09:36

Edinburgh has long been a draw-card for many major Holywood names. It's perhaps fitting, then, that some of Hollywood's biggest names will help curate this year's Film Festival, given the long association between the two cities.

This was clearly demonstrated by the 1956 filming of Let's Be Happy, starring American actress Vera-Ellen, who, along with the pipe bands of Edinburgh City Police and the Corporation Transport Department, took over Princes Street to film a scene on what was the hottest day of the year.

In 1960, Peter Sellers made a trip to the city to promote his film Battle of the Sexes for its Scottish premiere at the Gaumont Cinema, which formerly stood on Canning Street.

A visit from actor Dick van Dyke during the Festival in 1971 involved a family holiday which included his then-wife Marjorie Willett.

Locals were less impressed by a visit from French glamourpuss Brigitte Bardot to North Berwick in 1966 during filming for A Coeur Joie. The Evening News reported that the actress arrived at the town after storming out of a hotel in Carlisle, refusing to pay for her meal. Assistant manager Brian Mortalli said "When I asked her to settle the account, she said: 'With all this publicity about my arrival, your hotel has got enough reward.'"

Thankfully, in 1976, a visit from Princess Grace of Monaco, formerly actress Grace Kelly, caused less of a stir. The only criticism from her was about the trend in films for violence.

In 1984, the dazzle of the Festival fireworks was enough to let Elizabeth Taylor's surprise visit slip by unnoticed - almost. She took in the view from the balcony of the Mount Royal Hotel, along with director Frank Dunlop.