Would you watch a Christmas film before you've even celebrated Halloween?

Maybe many of us would have said an outright "no" before this year, but all bets are off when it comes to 2020.

So when Showcase Cinema de Lux announced it was going to screen Home Alone before the end of October, you might have been forgiven for thinking they'd misjudged the public mood.

But you would have been wrong.

The first socially-distanced screening sold out so quickly that a second was put on - and that sold out too.

Cinemagoers arriving for the screening yesterday, while elsewhere in the county people were out pumpkin picking, were greeted by fake snow, and festive displays featuring reindeer, giant candy canes and gingerbread men.

Settling down to watch the film on the reclining seats, they were also treated to a slight reworking of the Showcase logo, which had become Snowcase for the afternoon.

The 1990 cult hit starring Macaulay Culkin didn't disappoint and seeing it on the big screen - even seeing Kevin MacCallister's cheesy grin 10ft high - definitely added to the film's appeal.

There was also a surprise when film fans came out, to discover TV presenter Keith Lemon was filming in the auditorium.

Showcase UK general manager Mark Barlow had said that the company wanted to invite film fans to start the festive season earlier than ever before because "this year has been tough on everyone", and in preparation for what may be a very different Christmas.

At £5 a ticket and with socially distanced viewing so each screening was less than half full, Showcase may not have made a killing on box office sales for the screenings.

But in terms of a goodwill factor, it was definitely a case of goodwill to all men, and women and children.

For Halloween fright night films click here.

Tickets on sale for Bluewater's Christmas attraction, Believe.