TV tribute to local film maker Hayward

Richard Hayward has been described as “one of the first Irish media and film superstars”.

Yet after his death in a car crash outside Ballymena in 1964, the documentary makers say that his name and achievements “faded from view”.

‘Groundbreakers: In Search Of Richard Hayward’, to be screened on BBC Two Northern Ireland, on Sunday October 12, at 10.00 pm, will follow actor Dan Gordon as he sets out to rediscover Hayward’s “fascinating life and career as an author, actor, singer, musician and producer”.

Born in Southport in 1892, Richard Hayward moved to Northern Ireland with his family when he was two-years-old, living first in Larne and then Greenisland before moving to Belfast.

From his home, he travelled the length and breadth of Ireland exploring its culture for audiences at home and abroad.

A “trailblazing pioneer” in many areas, among other things, Hayward brought the first fiction feature films to be shot here in Northern Ireland with ‘The Luck of the Irish’ in 1935. Others included ‘Flame in the Heather’ and ‘The Early Bird.

Dan visits the grounds of Castle Upton outside Templepatrick where some of the filming for ‘Luck of the Irish’ took place and he meets Hayward’s son Ricky in Belfast before travelling to Bangor to see his grandson Paul to share some of their own personal memories.

Dan also talks to Paul Clements, the author of a book about Hayward.

Director Michael Hewitt said: “During the first half of the twentieth century, Richard Hayward was a pioneer who straddled so much of the worlds of art and entertainment in our society.

“Yet somehow he managed to disappear from view after his death in 1964.

“It was a great pleasure, therefore, to make this documentary with Dan Gordon, to rediscover this extraordinary man and to bring his incredible achievements back to life for a local audience.”

The 60-minute film has been produced for BBC Northern Ireland by Brian Henry Martin and Andrea McCartney of DoubleBand Films with assistance from the Northern Ireland Screen Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund.

Directly after this programme, viewers with access to the ‘red button’ on their televisions will be able to watch a special screening of ‘The Luck of the Irish’.