A HOLLYWOOD actress who starred in blockbuster ‘Yanks’ described the ‘thrill’ of returning to the scene of filming in Dobcross to join in the annual celebrations for the movie.
Lisa Eichhorn, who starred opposite Richard Gere in the 1979 film, asked to return for the first time ever to the village where some of the memorable scenes were shot.
Visiting as guest of Joyce Raven and Mark Sheppard, ‘Yanks’ film historians, she enjoyed 1940s-themed events at The Swan Inn at Dobcross and throughout Uppermill.
She tucked into a hearty Yanks Weekend breakfast at The Swan and also took pride of place in the vehicle convoy through the villages in the Queen Mother’s Rolls Royce.
Finally, she took the first snip out of local man Jim Blything’s hair as he shed his shoulder-length locks in memory of his grandfather’s WW1 sacrifices.
And Lisa, from America, revealed she was delighted to be back in Saddleworth for the first time since a fleeting visit in 1996 and enjoying her first Yanks celebrations.
She said: “It is a thrill and I am so happy to be back here. It is a lovely area, it is so beautiful.
“Filming ‘Yanks’ was such an important time of my life. Everybody was so welcoming both on set and locally.”
The role was Lisa’s movie debut as she had only graduated from The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) a year before Yanks was filmed in 1978.
And Lisa admitted she only got the role after lying to the director – who was looking for a rising British star – about her nationality.
“I told him my Dad came from London,” she revealed. “My best friend at RADA was from Stockport so I was familiar the accent and had a leg up there.
“When he found out, I think he was still nervous about casting me in a leading role as I was just out of RADA. But it worked out in the end!”
Meanwhile, residents across the villages enjoyed a Yanks Weekend spectacular, including dancing, wartime cinema and entertainment at local pubs and the Civic Hall.
WW2 Events hosted the ‘Yanks’ at Saddleworth School in Uppermill with military displays, vintage stalls, a fun fair, a 1940’s Tea room and Café, an assault course, and a classic and military cars display along with a static spitfire and WW2 engines.
And locals were treated to a special sight as a Lancaster Bomber roared as it circled over the villages.
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