Following World War II, Benny Gordon, a resident of the so-called Twin Towns of Ballybofey-Stronarlan in County Donegan, Ireland, began working as a projectionist at the local Ritz Cinema.
In his early 20s at the time, he embraced his “dream job” right up and through until the cinema closed in September of 1962 with showings of the John Schlesinger-directed drama A Different Kind of Loving starring Alan Bates and June Ritchie. Two decades later, the building was transformed into a home for the Balor Theater Company but has sat in disrepair ever since the company vacated for new digs in 2008.
Gordon for his part is still alive and kicking, having turned 101 this summer. And on October 21st, at the Regional Cultural Center in Letterkenny, there will be a screening of Great, a one-hour documentary about the life of Benny Gordon made by his son and daughter, Seamus and Margaret. The film was produced after the death of Gordon's beloved wife Margaret in 2018 and first premiered in 2025 to celebrate dad's centenary.
When you've lived as long as Gordon has, there are a whole bunch of pursuits to look back on. In addition to his days as a projectionist, he worked variously as a smuggler, boxer, trombonist in the Brendan McNulty band, laborer and more.
In retirement, he has become known as the longest and most faithful fan of local soccer club Finn Harps FC. And really, you have to hand it to his daughter Margaret. Not only did she give him the gift of a documentary at age 100, but she also came up with this to celebrate his 98th:
It was arranged that [managers] Dave Rogers, Darren Murphy and players would visit Benny at his home. Benny had about one minute's notice that he was to be visited. And he asked me why?
Why would they be visiting him? Because he is probably Finn Harps' longest-serving supporter. He's certainly reported to be the oldest person in the Twin Towns.
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| Once a part of William Barry's six-theater local chain |
There have been various attempts since the Ritz Cinema closed to re-imagine it through some sort of adaptive re-use. But right now, the building looks its age. With no documentary to go along with it.
Gordon, born July 3rd, 1925, is an odds-on favorite to make it to his 102nd birthday in 2027 and perhaps another memorable gift from Margaret. The October 21st screening event, which benefits a local charity, also includes Crossing Lines, a short film made by Margaret and Seamus in 2022 about a plucky women's soccer team.
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