I was invited and voted to join the board of directors of Jacey Cinemas Ltd. (I was 27 years old), as well as a few other cinema companies that Grandpa and Dad controlled. From then on life was even better.

One memorable evening happened, because I had taken Trudy for a special meal (I forget what the occasion was) at the Hilton in Park Lane, where we had duck and orange for the main course. We were both dressed smartly and on leaving the restaurant (on one of the higher floors) I noticed lots of people going into another room, where each of them was handed a glass of Champagne at the door.

So, I told Trudy to pretend she belongs there, and we will try to gate-crash the party. No one stopped us or challenged us, and we had plenty of Champagne and food offered to us.

We did not know anyone there but found out it was a party for Sammy Davis junior and generally people were very friendly.

Later before we left, Sammy Davis junior came to talk to us, obviously having no idea who we were, but he seemed pleased to see us.


Religious Problems

There were so many difficulties for us, because of religious problems once we had agreed to get married.

But rather than describe this trying period, at that time to marry a non-Jew was considered terrible (anyone marrying-out would be ostracised) and my Grandpa Joe was highly respected (All the stained-glass windows in Singers Hill Synagogue are there thanks to him and there are several plaques in his honour. He was also a founder of a Jewish Masonic Lodge).

But as my Grandparents and my uncle were totally against such a marriage, I will just say we only succeeded as Trudy, after a lot of studying and help from Reverend Brookes, that involved us in eventually going to Israel, for some months, until finally Trudy was converted in Jerusalem.

Now Jewish in Israel

Nicosia Cyprus

We flew together to Nicosia, before coming home and had a few days there to celebrate, as we now considered ourselves engaged. A funny incident happened on that trip, as I realised our luggage was overweight, I suggested we look out for someone that was travelling light (with little luggage) before checking in, to see if we can persuade him, or her, to book in with us all together, this way we could split the weight allowance between us all (in those days there was nothing like all the security involved now).