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Soon be Christmas: film crew pick house famous for its lights
CHRISTMAS came early for a Todmorden family after film crews swooped on their home.
Janet Cranley's house in Parkside Road, Cornholme, always attracts attention when it is festooned with festive lights over the holiday season.
But she was shocked when it caught the eye of a group of London filmmakers who asked if they could use it as a set for a new short film.
"I thought Wow! At least somebody's seen my decorations," she said.
Neighbours were bemused to watch her brother Robert string up the bulbs ready for the crew's arrival.
Ms Cranley, 52, said: "All I heard from him was 'Janet, I feel really silly' and people were saying 'Has Christmas come early?' and we had to explain to them."
The family have enjoyed watching the cameras roll and Janet, daughter Joanne Moor, 32, grandaughter Caiden Moor, nine, and Robert all landed roles in one scene.
"It's been really interesting," said Ms Cranley.
"I was a bit daunted at first – they totally ransacked my front room, turning it round to make it look like I'm 90. But it's been absolutely brilliant."
The independent "mock-umentary" is a comedy with dark undertones, which follows a lollipop man who celebrates Christmas every day and the breakdown of his marriage because of his bizarre behaviour.
Producer Chris Cooper, of Curve Films, said: "It's a very funny script but we wanted to add a little bit of darkness to it and a bit of pathos."
He hopes the film can be shown locally and plans to enter it into festivals and competitions.
Director Richard Higson, whose mum lives in Todmorden, suggested Ms Cranley's home.
It is well-known in the town for its illuminations, which have covered it every year but one for the last 28 years.
Ms Cranley said: "The year before last we went away and I got played hell with because there were no lights.
"It started years and years ago with just one light and it's just escalated from there."
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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