Blitz & Bananas!  The DVD of  a Kent Wartime Drama Film!

On Remembrance Day, the DVD of a heart-warming wartime drama film,Blitz & Bananas!  was officially launched with the support of the Royal British Legion.  The feature-length drama, filmed in Kent, was created by Bromley-based family history researcher and filmmaker, Anna Littler, and is raising funds for the Poppy Appeal.  Anna based the script on local people's true wartime experiences, as well as on the story of her Grandfather who was a PoW and her Great Uncle, an RAF pilot, who tragically never came back from the war.

Anna was recently bowled over to hear from the Creator / Writer of ITV's Downton Abbey, Julian Fellowes, and his wife Emma, who had both watched the DVD and wanted to congratulate her on this great achievement, concluding that it was"an adorable film!"

Anna writes: Including many members of Orpington Video & Film Makers, around 150 volunteers (aged from 1 month to 91 years!) got involved in the film project - behind the scenes, sharing wartime stories or acting in the film. People even offered us air raid shelters, military uniforms, beautiful vintage cars and wonderful pre-1940's houses.  Filming took place all over the Bromley borough and volunteers also came from Ashford, Dartford, Erith, Eynsford, Halstead, Kemsing, Otford,  Sittingbourne and Westerham.  It was an incredible example of people in the community and county working together! Members of the OVFM film club, several churches, libraries, British Legion, Rotary, Probus, Women's Institute and the Otford-based 1940s Society all played a part.  When popular local TV actors enthusiastically accepted roles - Brian Murphy (George & MildredandLast of the Summer Wine)and actor/crime writer, Linda Regan (Hi-de-Hi) -we were delighted.They were so generous with their time and were such great fun to work with on set and they added so much humour and emotion to the film.

 This heart-warming family drama is about a courageous little girl, 2 evacuees, 1 RAF pilot, some Prisoners of War and the rare gift of … a banana!    4-year old Bessie Smiley and her sisters decide to do 'War Work' during the Blitz, but their 'Secret Operation' brings little Bessie face-to-face with the grumpiest old man in town - the Grumpy Old Granddad, played brilliantly by Brian Murphy.

The Premiere of Blitz & Bananas attracted an amazing 1,500 people to 2 sell-out performances at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley.  Another several hundred people have seen the film at screenings further afield and now the DVD is making the film available to everyone!  We have already raised £600 for the Poppy Appeal and now sales of the DVD will help to raise more funds (30% of sales = £3.60 per DVD for the Poppy Appeal).  

The DVD will make a great Christmas present -

for you, your Grandparents or your Grandchildren!

DVD costs £12 (+£2 P&P per item).  Please send your address details with cheque payable to

Anna Littler at B&B DVD PK, 28 Gumping Rd, Orpington, BR5 1RX                                                              

Or Buy online (PAYPAL) at www.blitzandbananas.com

Or via www.britishlegion.org.uk/blitzandbananas

If you are planning fundraising events for 2013, or even for next year's Remembrance Day, why notorganise your own screening ofBlitz & Bananas?!.Contact Anna for info.  Anna is also available for speaking engagements, WW2 Schools' Workshops and Reminiscence Sessions.

"The anticipation…was wonderful!Roland Moore, Creator of BBC1'sLand Girls WW1 Stories Now Wanted!

To help Anna with a new script, she is now looking for stories, memories, letters or diaries from around the time of the First World War.  They don't need to be military stories but could show homefront / civilian life in England, possibly where family members were serving in the war.

Contact: Anna Littler 07757 162114

annahopelittler@yahoo.co.uk  www.blitzandbananas.com