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
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
Watch for free
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
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
Watch for free
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Watch for free
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Watch for free
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
Watch for free
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
Watch for free
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.