We bring The Artist to Telford

Hollywood loves a happy ending . . . and, thanks to the Shropshire Star, that's precisely what Telford film fans are going to get.

Earlier this week we revealed how Telford was one of the largest towns in Britain not to screen this year's Oscar-winning smash hit, The Artist – to the dismay of many movie lovers.

The town's Odeon cinema claimed it was down to the film's 'limited distribution'.

But, after several days of negotiations, the Shropshire Star has struck a deal to bring The Artist to Telford.

We've joined forces with Reels on Wheels and Oakengates Theatre to lay on two special screenings next Saturday.

Tickets for the 2.30pm and 8pm showings went on sale today. It will also be the first time that Oakengates Theatre has shown a Hollywood movie.

Shropshire Star assistant editor and film critic Carl Jones said: "Shrewsbury's Old Market Hall showed The Artist to sell-out houses a couple of weeks ago – they couldn't put on enough showings to meet demand.

"So we were sure that, if we could find a company with a copy of the film, and a venue prepared to show it, Telford audiences would prove they were equally deserving. They won't be disappointed – it's the best film I've seen this year."

Reels on Wheels, a mobile cinema service operating in the West Midlands for more than 30 years, agreed to help and Telford & Wrekin Council then came forward to offer the theatre as a venue.

Robert Johnson, from Reels on Wheels, said: "We are delighted to be able to do it. The Artist is proving popular everywhere we show it – if this experiment is a success, we would hope to be able to bring more films to Oakengates Theatre in the future."

Councillor Arnold England, cabinet member for Leisure and Well-being at Telford & Wrekin Council, said: "Working with both the Shropshire Star and Reels On Wheels to put this on is an excellent example of how this council works co-operatively with its partners to deliver what the public wants."

"This is a fantastic opportunity for Oakengates Theatre and the people of Telford and Wrekin and we hope that we will be able to show films on a regular basis going forward if this one is a success."

The Artist, which scooped five Oscars at this year's Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director, steps back to the early part of the 20th century to tell the story of handsome and romantically unattached screen idol George Valentin, played by Jean Dujardin, who is setting hearts aflutter.

On the set of his latest production, George meets aspiring starlet Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo) and he is smitten. With the advent of sound, however, George's fortunes wane and Peppy's star ascends into the stratosphere to the delight of cigar-smoking studio boss Zimmer (John Goodman).

Fame is fickle and George and his trusty manservant fall on painfully hard times with no obvious end to their misery.

Film fan John Evans, of Randlay, said he had approached the Odeon cinema to ask when the film would be shown – only to be told that it wasn't the type that played well in the area.

Explaining why The Artist had not been given a screening so far an Odeon Telford spokesman said: "Despite its extraordinary success the film has a limited distribution meaning that, on this occasion, the distributor has been unwilling to supply the film."How

How to book your tickets

There will be two screenings at Oakengates Theatre on Saturday March 24; a matinee at 2.30pm, and evening showing at 8pm

Tickets for both screenings are priced at £6, or £5 concessions.

You can book online – and choose your seat – by logging onto www.theplacetelford.com or call the box office on 01952 382382