The 1956 blockbuster movie “Around The World in Eighty Days,” starring David Niven, will be the next presentation in Tryon Fine Arts Center’s Tryon Connection film series and will be shown on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.

From the book by Jules Verne, the film is set in Victorian times and tells the story of adventurer Phileas Fogg (Niven) and his valet, Passepartout, as they attempt to circumnavigate the world using a hot-air balloon and thereby win a wager.

Directed by Michael Anderson and produced by Mike Todd, with a screenplay by James Poe, John Farrow and S. J. Perelman, this truly entertaining film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, three Golden Globe Awards and The New York Film Critics Award for Best Picture and Best Screenplay.

It is a wonderfully entertaining film for the whole family and this screening provides an opportunity for a new generation of film goers to see it on the big screen at TFAC.

In addition to David Niven, the huge cast includes Cantinflas, Noel Coward, John Gielgud, Fernandel, Robert Newton, Charles Boyer, Cesar Romero, Gilbert Roland, Robert Morley, Cedric Hardwicke, Shirley Maclaine, George Raft, Marlene Dietrich, Frank Sinatra, Red Skelton, Buster Keaton, Joe E. Brown, Andy Devine, John Mills, Hermione Gingold, Edward R. Morrow, Glynis Johns, Finlay Currie, Victor McLaglen, Beatrice Lillie, Trevor Howard, as well as Flamenco dancer Jose Greco and bullfighter Luis Dominguin. Everyone who was anyone was in this movie.

Tryon’s connection with this film is through its star, the British actor David Niven, who was a familiar face around town in the late 1930s and early 1940s.

Like many other celebrities, he was introduced to the town by silent movie star Maurice (Lefty) Flynn and his wife Nora, and was a guest at their house, Little Orchard, on numerous occasions.

He also befriended the local architect Carter Brown, with whose family he also stayed, and when not in the homes of friends he would stay at Oak Hall Hotel or the Pine Crest Inn.

In an article about the hotel published in the Spartanburg Herald Journal in 1972, Oak Hall Hotel’s owner/manager Clara Edwards recollects that “(David Niven} did a lot of hiking in the mountains and enjoyed square dancing and similar activities.”

He was also known to frequent Misseldine’s Drug Store and go to the movies at The Tryon Theatre.

The film will be introduced by Austin A. Brown, son of Carter Brown. Austin Brown spoke at TFAC in April, 2013 during the kick off for the Block House Equestrian Art Show held by Tryon Riding & Hunt Club.
Austin Brown was winner of three of the first four Block House Races and often fox hunted and rode with Niven.

Tickets for the 7 p.m. showing of “Around the World in 80 Days” on Tuesday, Dec 3, are available at the Tryon Fine Arts Center Box office or at the door.  Call 828-859-8322 for more information.

– article submitted by Frances Flynn