AN opportunity for Kiama to be seen on the big screen will be missed, with creators of a film about Orry Kelly pulling out of a planned visit to his home town.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The film is based on the three-time Oscar winning costume designer's recently recovered, unpublished tell-all memoir, Women I've Undressed.
Film director Gillian Armstrong and crew have filmed interviews in the US and shot footage in Sydney. They were due to do a one-day shoot in Kiama after Easter but have decided against it.
While the documentary may not include any live action footage, all will not be lost - it's understood still shots of Kiama will be featured.
Kiama and District Historical Society president Sue Eggins has been in frequent contact with the film's producers and said she was disappointed the crew had decided not to film here.
Ms Eggins said she was conscious of budget constraints and understood they felt they had enough material from Kelly's early life.
She had planned to show them where Kelly went to school - in the sandstone building - now part of the Sebel Harbourside Kiama and where his father, William Kelly's stores were.
William Kelly's first tailors shop was roughly where Laconia Cafe, on Terralong Street, now is.
It was burned down in the town's first great fire in 1899. The second tailor workshop was between the Harbourside Brighton and Anglican Church on Terralong Street. The family lived above the store.
"These things happen but I am a little disappointed for Kiama that they're not coming," she said.
"Orry did spend one-quarter of his life here."
Kelly was born in 1897 and lived in Kiama until he left school and went to Sydney to become an apprentice tailor.
He went overseas in 1923 but his father died in 1924. Kelly returned home, arriving in time for his funeral.
There are also plans to publish Kelly's autobiography to coincide with the film's release.
The memoir was written by Kelly before his death in 1964.
The memoir allegedly includes details about actor Cary Grant. Written by Kelly before his death in 1964, it was never published.
The manuscript for the book was kept in a pillowcase in the Pitt Town home of Orry Kelly's great-niece Janet Fowler.
Ms Eggins said disappointment about the filming had failed to dim excitement about the project generally. She said it was hoped there would be Orry Kelly-themed functions including a movie festival, to coincide with the film's release.