HIS TORCH NEVER worked, and he only ever pointed in the one direction.
But for decades, Mr Screen was the most famous cinema usher in Dublin.
He’s not working at the moment though. The iconic sculpture, created by artist Vincent Browne, was removed from his post outside the Screen Cinema in advance of its closure at the end of last month.
Was he being retired, we wondered. Rehomed?
We asked the people who ought to know, and while we got some answers no-one was able to confirm the sculpture’s precise current location.
Intermission
According to Dublin City Council, Mr Screen’s simply been taken away for a while for his own protection – but it’s planned he’ll be back on the streets of Dublin at some point in the future.
“The Mr Screen sculpture was removed by the IMC Cinema Group from outside the Screen Cinema to avoid it being damaged during the recent works at that location,” the Council said in a statement.
The local authority’s now in talks with IMC ”regarding the relocation of the sculpture”.
As to where he is at the moment?
We looked into it – but IMC Cinemas didn’t answer their main phone number for two days straight, and company director Paul Ward said he didn’t want to comment.
Wherever he is now, we can look forward to seeing Mr Screen back in the city shortly by the looks of it.
The Council added:
It is hoped to relocate the sculpture to another appropriate location outside a city centre cinema where he can continue to be enjoyed by the public at large.
The piece was commissioned as part of the Dublin Millennium in 1988, sponsored by the Sculptors’ Society of Ireland, Dublin Millennium, The National Lottery and Dublin Cinema Group.
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