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Ordinary and Extraordinary Lives

Home movies give us unique permission to step inside the lives of people who we've never met and never will.

Home movies are always acutely personal - in subject and perspective - and most were never intended for audiences beyond family and close friends. But even so, these private films share generously with the uninitiated stranger. Watching home movies transports us into other lives and other times, where the actions of people we never knew, in places we've never visited, resonate with our own memories. The home movies of the stars, the rich and the famous, the royals - see past the familiar faces and they're much like anyone's: intimate film portraits of loved people and places, colourful moving picture albums of experience and emotion. These simple point-and-shoot home movies seem to connect with the past in a profoundly authentic way - their images unfiltered by filmmaking technique and artifice.

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Visit to Germany Visit to Germany

Home movie 1936 28 mins Silent

Lloyd George tours the sights of Nazi Germany while his chauffeurs lark about with an SS Officer in this grimly fascinating film.

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Family and Friends Family and Friends

Home movie 1962 24 mins Silent

An intimate portrait of the family life of the Taberhams, including Ruth and Tigger Cat at Christmastime, idling in the garden, and a wedding.

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Cwrt-yr-Ala - Twins Cwrt-yr-Ala - Twins

Home movie 1948 8 mins Silent Location: Michaelston-le-Pit

A newly-built, dream home in Michaelston-le-Pit, Cardiff, where industrialist H H Merrett’s grandchildren have ample space to play.

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George's Party and Porthcawl Prom George's Party and Porthcawl Prom

Home movie 1957 14 mins Silent Location: Porthcawl

Socialising at home - on George’s birthday, perhaps, and at Christmas – and walking the promenade.

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Arthur Conan Doyle Relaxes with his Family at Windlesham Arthur Conan Doyle Relaxes with his Family at Windlesham

Amateur film 1929 17 mins Silent

The creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, relaxes with his family in Windlesham and goes on tour to Egypt, Africa and Australia

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Golden Wedding At Ellel House Golden Wedding At Ellel House

Home movie 1950 4 mins Silent Location: Galgate

50 years together - congratulations! A family celebration of a long and happy married life.

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Astor Home Movies No. 1 Astor Home Movies No. 1

Home movie 1920 87 mins Silent Location: Cliveden

Astor family and friends at play, from boating on the River Thames to fishing in Scotland and riding at Cliveden.

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Amateur Film of Rudyard Kipling Amateur Film of Rudyard Kipling

Home movie 1935 3 mins Silent Location: Bateman's

Paddleboats ahoy! Charming film of Rudyard Kipling and young family guests on the ponds of his Sussex estate.

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David Lean Home Movies - Italy David Lean Home Movies - Italy

Home movie 1950 8 mins Silent

Colour home movie shot by British director David Lean while on holiday in Italy with his then wife, actress Ann Todd.

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King's Visit to North Wales: David Lloyd George Personal Film King's Visit to North Wales: David Lloyd George Personal Film

Home movie 1937 10 mins Silent Location: Caernarfon

Crowds throng the streets of Caernarvon to glimpse King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, in this amateur film by Lloyd George's driver.

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Saga of Valerie Jean Douglas Saga of Valerie Jean Douglas

Home movie 1949 50 mins

An epic tale of one girl's life from the ages of one to 22, lovingly filmed by her dad.

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A Movie Letter from Home A Movie Letter from Home

Training film/TV programme 1943 7 mins Silent Location: Wealdstone

An unusual, poignant piece of wartime correspondence showing how movies can be used to comfort those who are far away.

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The Pioneers of Nudism The Pioneers of Nudism

Amateur film 1938 27 mins Silent Location: Bricket Wood

If you go down to the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise...

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Johnny Wardle Home Movies - England in Australia 1958/59; Centenary Test, 1977 Johnny Wardle Home Movies - England in Australia 1958/59; Centenary Test, 1977

Amateur film 1958 59 mins Silent

Sabrina bowls! The 50s bombshell takes centre stage - and the attention away from some wonderful cricket footage.

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Shoreham Peeps 1 Shoreham Peeps 1

Amateur film 1962 35 mins Location: Shoreham-By-Sea

A local epic about Shoreham-by-Sea featuring bin-men, carnivals, Morris dancers, a beauty contest and Britain's famous and favourite crooner, Frankie Vaughan.

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Squatparty Squatparty

Amateur film 1981 17 mins Location: Putney

Female punks have fun boozing, smoking and talking in this fascinating film by London lifestyle chronicler Captain Zip.

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This is a B.D.D.A. film taken by members of Cardiff Branch This is a B.D.D.A. film taken by members of Cardiff Branch

Amateur film 1935 13 mins Silent Location: Brecon/Aberhonddu

Weston-Super-Mare’s pier promises ‘Happiness’, ‘Mirth’ and ‘Enjoyment’ and is the destination of a trip undertaken by members of the Cardiff Deaf Club, who use sign language.

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Island Artist Island Artist

Amateur film 1953 20 mins Location: Bardsey Island/Ynys Enlli

At home with Brenda Chamberlain. The artist/writer from Bangor lived on Bardsey 1947-62 and is filmed there by a regular visitor to the island.

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Mam's 80th Birthday Mam's 80th Birthday

Home movie 1970 4 mins Silent Location: Tumble

Mrs Amy Jane Richards of Upper Tumble, Carmarthenshire, mother of 7, beams as her large family gather round to celebrate her 80th birthday.

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Gary and Stuart Gary and Stuart

Home movie 1964 5 mins Silent Location: Broughton

Out and about with Gary and Stuart, two lively young brothers from Lancashire.

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Gary's 1st Christmas Gary's 1st Christmas

Home movie 1961 4 mins Silent Location: Broughton

A teddy bear, a toy telephone, and lots more for baby Gary's first Christmas.

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Gary's Christening Gary's Christening

Home movie 1961 8 mins Silent Location: Preston

A new baby - a cause for celebration, and the centre of attention in the household.

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Nikil's 6th Birthday Nikil's 6th Birthday

Home movie 1978 3 mins Silent Location: Heysham

Anyone for musical chairs? Fun and games at a little boy's birthday party.

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Christine's 21st Birthday Christine's 21st Birthday

Home movie 1960 4 mins Silent Location: Bollington

You're only 21 once, so enjoy yourself, and celebrate with friends and family.

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Joce and Gill at Home Joce and Gill at Home

Amateur film 1936 28 mins Silent

Joseph Emberton's marvellous film captures the early years of daughters Jocelyn and Gill - with birthdays, Christmas and a trip to Blackpool

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Christmas 1949 Christmas 1949

Home movie 1949 4 mins Silent Location: Galgate

Merry Christmas! Anyone up for a game of table tennis to work off the turkey?

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Southampton’s MP Films his Family and Friends Southampton’s MP Films his Family and Friends

Amateur film 1931 11 mins Silent Location: Hampshire

William Craven-Ellis records the antics of family and friends in his garden, on the beach and in and around Southampton

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Relaxing in Hammocks Relaxing in Hammocks

Home movie 1940 3 mins Silent Location: Didsbury

Fun with hammocks and a 'push-me-pull-you' - a relaxing afternoon in a Manchester garden can be an energetic affair.

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Camping Holiday at Sennen Camping Holiday at Sennen

Home movie 1968 1 mins Silent Location: Sennen

Steady now as handheld captures camping holiday

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Beach Holiday at Sennen Cove Beach Holiday at Sennen Cove

Home movie 1930 9 mins Silent Location: Sennen

Holidays are close to home for the Parsons' family.

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Basque Refugees at Stoneham and a Holiday to Lands End Basque Refugees at Stoneham and a Holiday to Lands End

Amateur film 1937 13 mins Silent

There's something reminiscent in this home movie from the 1930s – with refugees escaping from a distant civil war to find safety in England

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Seaside at Westgate, Monica and Jim's Wedding Seaside at Westgate, Monica and Jim's Wedding

Amateur film 1930 7 mins Silent

Leslie Goulden's amusing home movie combines beach-time fun with what could be courting couples and the wedding of Jim and Monica

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A Family Holiday on the Isle of Wight A Family Holiday on the Isle of Wight

Amateur film 1949 12 mins Silent Location: Isle of Wight

Join the Waterhouse family on their colourful holiday to the Isle of Wight with views of Chale Bay, Newport and steam trains at Ryde Esplanade

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Distinguished Visitors Enjoy the Fly-Fishing at Bossington House Distinguished Visitors Enjoy the Fly-Fishing at Bossington House

Amateur film 1953 4 mins Silent Location: Bossington

Lord Brabazon, Edwin Hubble and a former American ambassador relax at Bossington House in this delightful home movie from the Fairey family

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Marjorie Glasspool Films Her Family in Alton Marjorie Glasspool Films Her Family in Alton

Amateur film 1930 8 mins Silent Location: Hampshire

Marjorie Glasspool's home movie captures a variety of events and occasions experienced by a Hampshire family

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Coastal Camping in Cornwall Coastal Camping in Cornwall

Home movie 1971 3 mins Silent Location: Sennen

Home movie maker films family in Cornish field

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John's 5th Birthday John's 5th Birthday

Home movie 1955 11 mins Silent Location: Fulwood

For those who have rarely had times as pleasant as those of riding around the garden on a trike, in the pre-school age of innocence.

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Christmas at Marlene's 1965 Christmas at Marlene's 1965

Home movie 1965 5 mins Silent Location: Sale

Oh, you really shouldn't have, but thank you - presents and party hats for everyone at a family Christmas.

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Domestic Scenes at 30 Devonshire Road Domestic Scenes at 30 Devonshire Road

Home movie 1949 4 mins Silent Location: Lytham St Anne's

The alarm clock goes off and the working day starts - daily routines, up close and in colour.

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Ireland Family New Year Party 1974/5 Ireland Family New Year Party 1974/5

Home movie 1974 4 mins Silent Location: Garston

Should old acquaintance be forgot... not likely at this family get-together in Liverpool.

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The Wedding of Billy and Joyce 25 March 1950 The Wedding of Billy and Joyce 25 March 1950

Home movie 1950 9 mins Silent Location: Lancaster

Congratulations to the happy couple! A lovely record of a special day in Lancaster.

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Norma's Birthday Party And Family Get-together Norma's Birthday Party And Family Get-together

Home movie 1941 10 mins Silent Location: Droylsden

Even in wartime, the fun goes on for the Hart family of Droylsden, and their friends, and dog.

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Weddings and Holidays Weddings and Holidays

Amateur film 1955 12 mins Silent Location: Devon

There are blizzards of confetti in this wedding montage which also features holidays in the West Country and the Empress Queen

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Holiday in the Highlands Holiday in the Highlands

Amateur film 1937 11 mins Silent

Join the Woolseys as they visit the Scottish Highlands - filming their relatives, pipers, castles, railways and stunning natural scenery

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Farnborough Air Show Farnborough Air Show

Amateur film 1961 8 mins Silent Location: Farnborough

John P Mitchell captures many famous and exotic examples of Britain's once vibrant aviation industry at the 1961 Farnborough Show

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Local Scenes and Family Pictures Local Scenes and Family Pictures

Amateur film 1927 14 mins Silent

Grandma and Grandad also join in the fun of this home movie - with beaches, swings & roundabouts and a medieval pageant led by Christopher Robin

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Ross Family Pictures Ross Family Pictures

Amateur film 1933 17 mins Silent Location: Croydon

Join the Ross family and friends - and a frisky fox terrier - for fun in the garden, frolics on the beach and plane-spotting at Croydon Aerodrome

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House of Jan and Pete: A Birthday House of Jan and Pete: A Birthday

Amateur film 1984 14 mins Location: Milton Regis

Sarah celebrates her 18th birthday surrounded by family and friends - but before she gets her front-door key she must endure the 'bumps'

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Joan's Birthday Party Joan's Birthday Party

Home movie 1929 3 mins Silent Location: Poole Harbour

It's party time in Bournemouth in the pioneering decade that set the standard for change

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Wedding at the Grand in Plymouth Wedding at the Grand in Plymouth

Home movie 1940 1 mins Silent Location: Plymouth

A joyous occasion of marrying a man in uniform as rare moving images are taken in Plymouth.

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Wedding Day - Jannaud Rides Again Wedding Day - Jannaud Rides Again

Home movie 1962 3 mins Silent Location: Mousehole

The beginnings of a wedding videography industry as this home movie maker shoots to fill.

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Psyche's Wedding Psyche's Wedding

Home movie 1920 10 mins Silent Location: Devon

Bright young things thereto plight troth in a society wedding.

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Plymouth Hoe Promenading Plymouth Hoe Promenading

Home movie 1940 2 mins Silent Location: Plymouth

Iconic area of Plymouth Hoe is the focus for city's entertainment

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Plymouth's Bombed Out St Andrew's Church Plymouth's Bombed Out St Andrew's Church

Home movie 1949 1 mins Silent Location: Plymouth

Civic and Church leaders gather for a special service in the shell of St Andrew's

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Holidaying in the South West Holidaying in the South West

Home movie 1950 10 mins Silent Location: Cawsand

A whistlestop tour of Devon and Cornwall is filmed in this holiday home movie.

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Ann Feeding the Hens and Other Scenes Ann Feeding the Hens and Other Scenes

Home movie 1959 3 mins Silent Location: Bollington

Young members of the family playing, and helping with the chores.

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The Family at Home 1950 The Family at Home 1950

Home movie 1950 4 mins Silent Location: Galgate

Family life in the post-war years: domestic scenes in Lancashire.

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A Family Get-together A Family Get-together

Home movie 1970 4 mins Silent Location: Bollington

Drinking and dancing and dominoes - satisfaction guaranteed for a family social evening.

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Visit to Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Visit to Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway

Home movie 1976 4 mins Silent Location: Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway

All aboard La'al Ratty for a grand day out, steaming through the Cumbrian countryside.

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Outing on the Thames Outing on the Thames

Amateur film 1933 9 mins Silent Location: Henley-on-Thames

An interwar outing on the River Thames with a reminder of the Great Western Railway's influence in Birmingham.

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Coracles, Jet Skis and the Girls' Friendly Society Coracles, Jet Skis and the Girls' Friendly Society

Home movie 1960 10 mins Silent Location: Cenarth

From the River Teifi and coracles at Cenarth to Fishguard and the sea around Pembrokeshire for jet-skiing, sailing and sandcastles.

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Circus Comes to Denbigh Circus Comes to Denbigh

Home movie 1960 4 mins Silent Location: Denbigh/Dinbych

A brave new world of elephants is revealed to waiting schoolchildren when 5 of the enormous pachyderms alight from a train at Denbigh station.

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Eddie Savage's Aberystwyth Eddie Savage's Aberystwyth

Amateur film 1950 15 mins Silent Location: Aberystwyth

Savage’s Garage in Queen’s Road, once an institution in Aberystwyth, lives again in this film showing its proprietor and his family.

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1969 Prince Charles at U.C.W 1969 Prince Charles at U.C.W

Home movie 1969 4 mins Silent Location: Aberystwyth

Well-wishers assemble to pat-a-prince as Charles enters and exits the Old College during his pre-Investiture studies at UCW Aberystwyth.

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Wedding, 'Dolclettwr' and Farmers in Scotland Wedding, 'Dolclettwr' and Farmers in Scotland

Home movie 1965 4 mins Silent Location: Rhydlewis

A delightful duo perform on bottles and tubs in Taliesin between shots of a wedding near Rhydlewis and a sale of Welsh Black cattle in Scotland.

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Derry and London Scenes - Adams Personal Film Derry and London Scenes - Adams Personal Film

Amateur film 1959 2 mins Silent Location: Derry / Londonderry

Four woman pose for the camera in these amateur home movie shots taken from the streets of Derry and London in 1959.

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Tiger Bay and The Rainbow Club - I Tiger Bay and The Rainbow Club - I

Home movie 1960 39 mins Silent Location: Butetown

Tiger Bay in Cardiff's docks area: a successful, multi-cultural community, providing a variety of activities, but which is threatened by 'slum' clearance.

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Bryan Forbes Home Movies No. 43 Bryan Forbes Home Movies No. 43

Home movie 1968 3 mins Silent

Home movie shot at the Victorine Studios in Nice, France, on the set of Bryan Forbes' film The Madwoman of Chaillot.

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Tiger Bay and The Rainbow Club - II Tiger Bay and The Rainbow Club - II

Home movie 1960 65 mins Silent Location: Butetown

Cardiff's Shirley Bassey, seen here as a member of The Rainbow Club, established to promote the performing arts amongst Tiger Bay children, found the crock of gold!

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Warminster Street Celebrations and Street Scenes Warminster Street Celebrations and Street Scenes

Amateur film 1911 7 mins Silent Location: Warminster

Long live the King - and the car! Warminster celebrates the coronation of George V with a parade of motor cars.

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Derry Scenes - Adams Personal Film Derry Scenes - Adams Personal Film

Amateur film 1959 6 mins Silent Location: Derry / Londonderry

Charming home movie of a London family's holiday in their homeland: back to the Bogside in Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

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Mark Fairbairn Home Movies: White Heather Club, Eyemouth, Scotland / Trawler Launch Mark Fairbairn Home Movies: White Heather Club, Eyemouth, Scotland / Trawler Launch

Amateur film 1967 5 mins Silent Location: Eyemouth

Eyemouth, a small town in the Scottish Borders, plays host to a popular BBC variety show.

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John Daniel John Daniel

Home movie 1925 7 mins Silent

John Daniel, a tame gorilla, plays with his human friends in this early amateur film

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Phyllis Calvert Home Movies Can 4 Phyllis Calvert Home Movies Can 4

Home movie 1947 108 mins Silent

Wonderfully intimate home movie shots of British star Phyllis Calvert in Hollywood.