The East Anglian Film Archive, the first and largest Regional Film Archive in England, was established in 1976. Since 1984, EAFA has been owned and operated by the University of East Anglia, Norwich (UEA), to support research and work to preserve our moving image heritage. More than 250 hours are freely available online as examples of the wide range of film which attracts interest the world over.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
A La Carte
Messy slapstick comedy featuring an ineptitude waiter, presented by Colchester Cine Club and starring an ensemble cast of club members.
From the collection of:
Overview
Quite aptly described by Colchester Cine Club as a "messy slapstick comedy", ‘A La Carte’ is set in a bistro and features an ensemble cast of no fewer than 13 of its cine club members playing the parts of an ineptitude waiter and his many customers. Colchester Cine Club, always keen to recruit new members, enjoyed making comedies, the more farcical the better! Experience was not important - enthusiasm was! The onus was always on having a good time and getting everyone involved.
In the Spring of 1959 two keen amateur cinematographers, Don Leech and Eric Smith, placed a notice in the public library calling for like-minded filmmakers to attend a meeting at the Cross Keys Inn, Long Wyre Street. Some twenty to thirty people attended, and it was on that day, 24th April 1959, the Colchester Cine Club was formed. Don Leech was voted as Chairman, and fortnightly meetings were to be held in a room over Eric Smith’s shop, ‘Photovogue’ on St. John’s Street.
Related
Currently unavailable
The Perfect Woman The Perfect Woman
Comedy 1949 87 mins
In a bid to improve on nature, a scientist creates a robot female. But the experiment doesn't quite turn out as planned...
Watch for free
Tilly and the Fire Engines Tilly and the Fire Engines
Comedy 1911 2 mins Silent
Mischievous sisters Tilly and Sally borrow a fire engine and take it for a joy ride in this spirited film comedy.
Watch for free
Something Completely Different Something Completely Different
1974 4 mins Silent Location: Doune
Join John Cleese and the cast of Monty Python and the Holy Grail on location in Scotland
Watch for free
Miranda Miranda
Comedy 1948 80 mins
A man goes fishing and comes home with a most unusual catch in this comedy feature.
Watch for free
Le Petomane Le Petomane
Comedy 1979 33 mins
The immortal Leonard Rossiter makes flatulence a fine art in this short, poignant comedy-drama from Hancock writers Galton and Simpson
Watch for free
Arthur? Arthur! Arthur? Arthur!
Comedy 1969 101 mins Location: Camden
A hen-pecked inventor plots murder while he leads a bizarre double life as a bewigged playboy who runs a dating agency
Watch for free
Care in the Community - 'A Very New Idea' Care in the Community - 'A Very New Idea'
News 1964 11 mins Location: Colchester
Five elderly ladies, having received treatment for mental illness but with nowhere to go, now live together in an old house at Brightlingsea.
Watch for free
Village and Country Scenes 1934-1938 Village and Country Scenes 1934-1938
Amateur film 1934 6 mins Silent Location: Colchester
Pretty 1930s scenes of Essex and Suffolk villages and countryside
Watch for free
Double Dose Double Dose
Amateur film 1970 6 mins Location: Colchester
Colchester Cine Club pay homage to Louis Lumiére's comedy silent film L'Arroseur Arrosé producing their own quirky version.
Watch for free
Car-Chars Car-Chars
Amateur film 1967 10 mins Location: Colchester
Colchester Cine Club ensemble comedy featuring a pair of inept odd-jobbers and a mischievous lad.
Watch for free
Keep off the Grass Keep off the Grass
Amateur film 1965 8 mins Location: Colchester
There's nothing but mischief, misunderstandings, and mayhem in this Amateur Cine Club comedy set in Colchester's Westwood Park.
Watch for free
A Thing About Hair A Thing About Hair
Amateur film 1965 8 mins Location: Colchester
A clueless and rather clumsy apprentice barber features in this amateur cine club comedy set in a Colchester Gentlemen's Saloon.
Watch for free
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.