BY JOHN McCUSKER

AN appeal has gone out to film buffs in a bid to trace a copy of a long-lost movie shot on location in Co. Down which is believed to be in the hands of a private collector.

Entitled General John Regan, the feature length black-and-white 'talkie' was filmed in and around Hilltown back in 1933.

Louisa Blackburn – whose grandparents owned the Downshire Hotel in the village where part of the movie was filmed – began searching for copies. However, despite extensive searches, no trace of the film could be found.

In a last ditch effort, she has appealed to those attending this weekend's Mid Ulster Film Festival to help her track it down.

The film was a comedy based on a popular novel written by Rev James Hannay – known to his readers as George A Birmingham. It starred well-known actors from that era including Henry Henry Edwards, Chrissie White, Anna Neagle, Ben Welden, Pegeen Mair and David Horne.

Mrs Blackburn said, "I have two large photographs taken outside the Downshire Arms Hotel, one with my grandmother and father and my aunt Moya and one of the film crew all sitting in or on an American car called a Hudson.

"I am trying to find this film in order to give people a chance to view a piece of history made on their doorstep.

"I have tried the British Film Institute and the American Film Institute but they have nothing. I think it is in private hands somewhere," she added.

Louisa Blackburn can be contacted at 41 Church Street, Ballinahinch, Co Down BT24 8AF or on 028 9756 2911.