The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
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Liner 'The Normandie' arrives at Plymouth, 12 June 1935
The 'Normandie' brings Disney to Plymouth
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Overview
The ocean liner SS 'Normandie' owned by Compagnie Generale Transatlantique arrives in Plymouth on 12 June 1935 carrying Disney founder and creator, Walt Disney and actor Richard Dix. The maiden voyage on 29 May from Le Havre in France to New York takes four days and the return journey to Plymouth, nine days, under the command of Master Captain Rene Pugnet. Designed by Vladimir Yourkevitch, the Normandie is the world's largest and fastest passenger liner of its day.
In January 1942 the US War department requisition the Normandie ocean-going liner. Whilst loading with supplies a welder’s mistake set off a fire which spread throughout the ship leading to it turning on its side and sink. Too costly to repair or convert into an aircraft carrier the Normandie was scrapped in 1946-47.
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