A HOLLYWOOD actress who starred in blockbuster Yanks is returning to Saddleworth to join residents in their annual festivities to celebrate the movie.
Lisa Eichhorn starred opposite Richard Gere in the 1979 movie, with parts filmed in Dobcross and Uppermill, before carving out a glittering international career in film, theatre and television.
Now she is returning to the area to join in this year’s wartime extravaganza after enjoying a recent Yanks exhibition at Stalybridge, where parts of the film were also shot.
She is visiting as a guest of Joyce Raven and Mark Sheppard, Yanks film historians who have the world’s largest collection of the film’s memorabilia.
They contacted Michael Powis and Tim Newbold, landlords of The Swan Inn at Dobcross, after Lisa expressed a wish to visit the village were some of the memorable scenes were filmed.
Tim explained: “She requested to come here because of the filming. It is a great coup to get her.
“We’re delighted and it is a massive event for Saddleworth not just Dobcross to have a Hollywood star visiting!”
Lisa will begin her weekend on Saturday, August 9 with a meet and greet reception at the Swan Inn at 2pm for anyone who was involved in the filming of Yanks.
This will be followed by a screening of the film at 3pm, as well as live entertainment outside the pub with The Banjo Man, featuring favourites by George Formby and other 1940s stars.
Meanwhile, Lisa will travel to Uppermill in a jeep, where she will take in the music, entertainment and activities available at Saddleworth School, hosted by WW2 Events.
A jam-packed evening will see her attend ‘We’ll Meet Again’ wartime cabaret at The Swan, a 1940s dance with ‘The Singing Solider’ and then the Victory Swing Ball at Uppermill Civic Hall.
On Sunday 10, she will tuck into a hearty Yanks Weekend breakfast at The Swan before joining Normandy Veterans for a coffee morning at Betty’s Fish and Chip Shop in Uppermill from 10.30am.
Lisa will then take pride of place in the military and vintage convoy through the villages at 12noon as she travels in the Queen Mother’s Rolls Royce with ‘Winston Churchill’.
Finally, she will enjoy entertainment from 1940s singer Lynne Sheldon at The Swan and at 5pm will take the first snip out of local man Jim Blything’s hair as he sheds his shoulder-length locks in memory of his grandfather’s WW1 sacrifices.
To celebrate Yanks Weekend, the Swan Inn is hosting wartime musical comedy ‘Blitz Bride’ on Wednesday, August 6, ‘Sing, Sing, Sing! With the Ooh Olive Aahs’ on Friday, August 8 and wartime cabaret with Lynne Sheldon on Saturday, August 9 – but all are sold out.
But guests can still visit the pub as they serve their traditional breakfast during Yanks weekend from 9.30am to 11.30am. No need to book, just turn up.
There will also be free entertainment outside the pub with The Banjo Man on Saturday, August 9 from 2pm and 1940s singer Lynne Sheldon on Sunday from 2pm.
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