Free
Beat Generations
Every generation finds its own beat, and every scene has been caught on camera. This toe-tapping tour guides us through pop's glorious past.
From the dawn of rock 'n' roll, music and film have been inextricably linked. This wildly eclectic collection explores the sometimes peculiar history of (mostly) pre-video pop music in Britain, starting from the 1950s and taking in the Mersey beat explosion, hippy dreaming, punk pogoing, reggae rebellion and more besides. Ephemeral, of-the-moment, and sometime quickly knocked up, many of the toe-tapping titbits you'll see and hear in this classy collection were never meant to endure. Some have since slipped off the cultural radar altogether. They re-emerge now as fascinating pop artefacts, splendidly stuffed with groovy sounds and casually-captured social history. Straight from the fridge, dad!
Discomania Discomania
Drama 1979 24 mins Location: London
Nerdy teenage mummy's boy David dreams of wowing the girls with his disco dance moves - but alas he was born with two left feet.
Shellshock Rock Shellshock Rock
1979 48 mins Location: Belfast
The Undertones and Stiff Little Fingers play live in this vivid music doc capturing all the vibrancy of the 1970s Northern Irish punk scene.
The Jah People The Jah People
Documentary 1981 22 mins Location: Handsworth
Followers of the Rastafari way of life bring tales of Haile Selassie, Jah and Zion to the streets of inner-city Birmingham.
Jack the Ripper Jack the Ripper
Promotional 1961 3 mins
Screaming Lord Sutch belts out his bloodthirsty, Joe Meek-produced single in this splendidly tasteless full-colour promo film
The Adventures of the Son of Exploding Sausage The Adventures of the Son of Exploding Sausage
1969 13 mins
The Bonzo Dog Band freak out at the farm and strange sounds abound in this cheery, charmingly childlike stream-of-consciousness music short.
The Organ of a Thousand Moods The Organ of a Thousand Moods
Performance 1951 5 mins Location: Minnis Bay
Enjoy pre-dinner cocktails in the company of organ maestro Nick Olson, tickling the ivories at Uncle Tom's Cabin, Minnis Bay, Birchington.
The Beatles The Beatles
Magazine and Review show 1963 6 mins Location: Plymouth
Love, Love me do! The Beatles twist and shout in Plymouth on the 10th date of their 1963 Autumn Tour.
Life and Music of Black Anna Life and Music of Black Anna
News 1973 10 mins Location: Norwich
Well and truly steering the helm at The Jolly Butchers pub in Ber Street, Norwich is Antoinette Hannent better known as 'Black Anna'.
The Beatles at Ipswich Gaumont The Beatles at Ipswich Gaumont
Amateur film 1964 2 mins Silent Location: Ipswich
This is one Halloween night that certainly was one big scream as the Fab Four played the Ipswich Gaumont (then Regent).
Liverpool a Go-go Liverpool a Go-go
Performance 1965 49 mins Location: Liverpool
Exploring the hidden depths of the early 60s Mersey beat scene, including a visit to the legendary Cavern Club.
Story of the Hare Who Lost His Spectacles Story of the Hare Who Lost His Spectacles
1973 7 mins
Prepare to be freaked out big time by a thoroughly theatrical 1970s psych-prog-folk-rock fairy tale from English eccentrics Jethro Tull.
Brook Benton - It's Just a Matter of Time Brook Benton - It's Just a Matter of Time
Performance music video 1959 5 mins
Two pop promos from ace American crooner Brook Benton, including his 1959 crossover hit, 'It's Just a Matter of Time'.
Shane Fenton & the Fentones - Cindy's Birthday Shane Fenton & the Fentones - Cindy's Birthday
Music video 1962 2 mins
Snake-hipped popster Shane Fenton - later reborn as Alvin Stardust - sings 'n' twists to his biggest 60s hit in this fab full-colour jukebox film.
Punk Can Take It Punk Can Take It
Promotional 1979 19 mins
This power-packed promotional film for the UK Subs also showcases the distinctive talents of unconventional writer and director Julien Temple.
The Destructors The Destructors
Documentary 1983 12 mins Location: Brixton
Punk rebellion and anarchy with Peterborough-based punk band The Destructors, six years after their formation.
Death Is Their Destiny Death Is Their Destiny
Amateur film 1978 13 mins Location: London
Fascinating amateur footage of London punks, and a glimpse of fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, filmed on the King's Road in 1978.
Indian Pop Instrumental - C.1970 Indian Pop Instrumental - C.1970
Music video 1970 3 mins
A psychedelic sitar freak-out from an age when western musicians looked east for inspiration.
Eden Kane - Forget Me Not Eden Kane - Forget Me Not
Performance 1961 2 mins
Silver-suited 60s popster Eden Kane sings 'n' swaggers his way through his third Top 10 hit single in this fab full-colour jukebox film.
Getting It Straight in Notting Hill Gate Getting It Straight in Notting Hill Gate
Documentary 1970 25 mins Location: Notting Hill
Spaced-out sitar music and the prog rock grooves of Quintessence soundtrack this psychedelic flashback to Notting Hill Gate in 1970.
Dance Festival Dance Festival
Campaigning film 1969 21 mins Silent Location: Camden Town
Join distracted onlookers at a protest “be-in” at Camden’s Roundhouse –alongside portraits of Lenin and a giant inflatable phallus.
Hold Tight/Hideaway Hold Tight/Hideaway
Music video 1966 5 mins Location: Chiswick
Take a very groovy road trip with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich in this early pop promo.
Jazz Band Ball Jazz Band Ball
Amateur film 1963 10 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
A delirious 60s jazz dance night at a legendary Newcastle nightspot, the Majestic Ballroom, scene of the Beatles first gig in the city.
Lulu Lulu
Inside Film 1968 18 mins
Pop star Lulu talks to Bernard Braden about everything from acting in films to her hopes regarding marriage and children
Tom Jones Tom Jones
Inside Film 1967 12 mins
Bernard Braden talks to singer Tom Jones about his recent million-dollar US contract and his future acting plans
Travelling for a Living Travelling for a Living
Documentary 1966 45 mins Location: Kingston upon Hull
This "musical profile of the Watersons" is a precious document of the British folk revival, much of it shot in their hometown, Hull.
Take it easy with the Walker Brothers Take it easy with the Walker Brothers
Current affairs 1966 4 mins Location: Plymouth
The Walker Brothers perform off and onstage for the camera
Musical Motorcycles - Cachito cha cha cha (Coursée) Musical Motorcycles - Cachito cha cha cha (Coursée)
Music video 1961 3 mins
The musical motorcycles hit Paris to a Cuban vibe.
Frankie Vaughan visits Bideford Frankie Vaughan visits Bideford
Current affairs 1976 1 mins Silent Location: Bideford
Mr. Moonlight', Frankie Vaughan on flit to Bideford.
Pop Pirates Pop Pirates
Children's 1984 58 mins Director: Jack Grossman
Home taping almost kills music as a schoolboy band's dreams of talent show glory may be scuppered by video piracy.
The Flip Side The Flip Side
Current affairs 1964 25 mins Silent Location: Bridlington
A rave up, a ball, or just a plain old racket? The unseen side of the 1960s pop music business is revealed.
Davy Jones Davy Jones
1968 31 mins
The Manchester-born Monkee reflects on Britain and America in the aftermath of the shooting of Robert Kennedy.
Dave Clark Five and Catch Us If You Can Dave Clark Five and Catch Us If You Can
Current affairs 1965 1 mins Silent Location: Bigbury
On set with The Dave Clark Five for John Boorman’s directorial debut.
Anthony Newley Anthony Newley
1967 32 mins
The multitalented actor, singer and songwriter discusses his new life in California and his countercultural values.
Barsham Faire Barsham Faire
Amateur film 1974 6 mins Silent Location: Barsham Hill
In the 70s, Barsham Faire on August Bank Holiday became a tradition for many to celebrate things 'medieval' and raise funds for local arts events. It put Barsham on the map.
More related films in the Free collection, Other Grooves.
More related films in the Free collection, The Pleasure Principle.
More music films in our Subscription collection, Sonic: Music in Movies.