The Drum screens Robert Burns film; which has not been seen for 72 years
To mark Burns night The Drum is giving a public screening of a short film about the bard's life that has not been seen in 72 years. The Romance of Robert Burns lay gathering dust on the shelf of a US archive before being unearthed a few weeks ago.
The film, thought to use Hollywood westerns props and sets to represents 'ye auld Scotch land' is chock-full of character, odd Irish accents and very American historical insights.
However, it would have provided some escapism to US audiences still recovering from the Great Depression. Said one commentator: US-based BBC radio journalist Rhod Sharp: "The film seems to have been made using convenient props.
"The stagecoach is right out of the Western movie, as is the street scene, with the Golden Nugget saloon sign simply changed over for Jolly Beggar Inn.
"And I'm sure I recognised the Old Brig of Alloway from the film It's a Wonderful Life'.
The film was handed to The Drum by US, based journalist Noel Young, who has also furnished the new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Ayr, which opened last week, with a copy.
So pour a dram, get yourself some haggis, sit back and enjoy...