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THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — these Findon Chronicles are created by Valerie Martin and contain scenes from her home village of Findon, West Sussex, U.K.
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THE GOLDEN DOLPHIN
Copyright Valerie Martin 2010
Originally published in the Findon News in July 2005
In July 1985, sleepy Findon village experienced Hollywood-style glitz and yet hardly any of the inhabitants realised what was going on.
A film unit arrived to shoot scenes for an American children's movie. The company filmed mostly on Sundays and Wednesday afternoons when the shops were shut and fewer people were around. Many villagers didn't even notice the actors, cameramen, sound and lighting technicians and production staff.
The film, based on a book entitled The Golden Dolphin, was being filmed for an American film company for release to organisations in the States. It was about an American family who inherited an English stately home but their claim was opposed by a wicked uncle figure. There is a secret panel, an underground passage, lost title deeds, rumours of buried treasure..... and a legendary golden dolphin. Other ingredients of the story are a kidnap attempt and a helicopter chase.
Dr. Geoffrey Lehman, an eye surgeon and missionary, wrote the original storyline. The locations in his book were based around Findon Place. The manor house, at the time the home of his daughter Peta Young and her husband John, came into the limelight. During the filming in and around Findon Place, the unit "borrowed" a few local homesteads for "shots". The Findon Newsagency and Post Office featured in two scenes — the interior as well as outside.
Much to my pleasure and surprise, one of the budding young stars turned up in my Inbox twenty years later.....
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3rd July 2004 Ms. Martin,
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| 4th June 2005 Dear Ms. Martin . My name is Peter Fullard myself and friend David Knott took part in the making of The golden Dolpin We supplied and flew the helicoptor used in the filming,
I have attached photo's that I took on the first day of filming and one of
the cast with the helicoptor ,Jeremy Culumber is the 2nd from left.
The planning stage.
The cast.
Getting the sound right.
The front of Dolphin House (alias Findon Place).
One of the scenes. |
Super pictures, Pete. Thank you for sharing them with us in Findon twenty years after the event.
 One of the scenes from the cover of the video. |
So, let us all sit back and enjoy a clip from that film The Golden Dolphin..... click on...
You will see The Golden Dolphin listed on the right hand side.
So, at long last we can all see a bit of the Golden Dolphin.... just click on Doug's link.... and you will find the Golden Dolpin listed on the right hand side.
I now wonder if the interior shots of the manor were, in fact,
the inside of Findon Place in Findon..... most likely.
I was also enthralled when the children said they had found the passage running
to the church. There is supposed to be one you see!
I did once come across a copy of the whole movie on Ebay by chance. Although I
say so myself I am pretty astute and if I bid for something on Ebay I always get
it.... well 99% of the time.
The only time I missed out was with the Golden Dolphin DVD.
As you might imagine, no one was bidding for this old film.....and I thought I
had it in the bag. During about the last 5 seconds of
the auction, a guy jumped in from nowhere and outbid me. It was too late for me
to do anything. It was all rather mysterious and strange because nothing like
that had happened before to me.... nor since.
I have not finished my story yet. When the new owner had received his copy of
the DVD, I contacted him and asked if I could buy it from him if he didn't want
it when he had finished watching it. (One doesn't get anything if one doesn't
try does one!)
He was very affable and suggested that he make a copy of the DVD for me. I
offered to pay for it but he was so nice and said I need not bother. He promised
to send it.
A few weeks passed and nothing arrived so I contacted him again. He made some
lame excuse or other and promised to send it again. This scenario went on for
about a year...... and in the end I gave up. All very odd.
click to enlarge
2011 — St. John the Baptist Church in relationship to the old Manor of Findon (Findon Place).
At the beginning of January 2011, I learned that The Golden Dolphin had not ever been (officially) released but a copy can be obtained from The British Film Institute for around £400. I cannot imagine why, but I have suddenly lost all of my enthusiasm for obtaining this DVD!
In August 2011, I heard from Ed...."Hi Valerie.....I was interested to come across your page on the above, I was the sound recordist on the shoot at Findon, the chap with the blue T-shirt and shorts. I attach 3 other pics for your interest and use, I may have others and poss a copy of the film.
My first daughter was just about to be born at that time, last week she got married!
I live in Otford Kent another beautiful village. That shoot was a happy time, the sun always seemed to shine. Keep up the good work. Best wishes Ed ".
This is Findon Village — www.findonvillage.com is a continually growing record created by Valerie Martin exclusively for documenting life in Findon.
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Do let me know of anything you hear about Findon - not too controversial. Please note that opinions expressed in the Findon Chronicles are not necessarily reflective of my own thoughts.... but sometimes they are! |
