The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
A Photographer's Day
The waves gently lapping on the shore, seagulls gliding through the air, a perfect photographic morning, until that is, the family arrive!
From the collection of:
Overview
This 1935 whimsical film shows off all the tools at the service of the keen amateur filmmaker at the time, with slow motion, comic subtitles and the introduction of Kodachrome colour. The photographer in question – the managing director of a large worsted spinning company in Clayton West, Yorkshire – attempts to film his trip to the coast in peace, only to be regularly disturbed by his son’s antics: jumping off rocks, swimming and sunbathing.
This is one of an extensive collection of films made by Noel Beardsell in the 1930s and 1940s. Unfortunately we have been unable to identify the stretch of coast seen in the film. Beardsell also filmed the local Jubilee celebrations of King George V at Clayton West, near Bradford, in 1935, capturing the good time people had on that occasion; as an aside, his son David, seen in the film, recalls that he worked as a detective for the West Yorkshire Police as a specialist in photography. He would edit the films in a specially made dark room in his garage, adding useful, often comical, intertitles. He would then show these at large gatherings in his house. During the Second World War he also put on film shows at army bases.
Related
Watch for free
Paper Boat Paper Boat
Amateur film 1949 22 mins Silent
Prize-winning amateur film about the fleeting affair between a housewife and a young man on a summer day.
Watch for free
Coming Shortly Coming Shortly
Amateur film 1954 4 mins Silent Location: High Wycombe
Silly silent film fun and thrills abound in this award-winning 1954 amateur short spoofing the world of Hollywood trailers.
Watch for free
Amelia and the Angel Amelia and the Angel
Amateur film 1958 26 mins Location: South Kensington
A young angel scours London for her wings in this tender short by the young Ken Russell.
Watch for free
Ladies Hoo Doo Ladies Hoo Doo
Amateur film 1965 19 mins Location: Harrow
Knitting comes in handy when making a film – a comical take on amateur filmmaking by the ladies of a local Pinner film club
Watch for free
Jocelyn in Wonderland Jocelyn in Wonderland
Amateur film 1961 13 mins Silent
Tired little Jocelyn, in her National Health specs, falls asleep in the garden and wakes up in Wonderland in this amateur re-telling of Lewis Carroll's classic.
Watch for free
Stephen the Magician Stephen the Magician
Home movie 1962 3 mins Silent Location: Castleford
A young magician impresses his sister by making a dog appear from under a bucket, and by demonstrating the magic of film itself.
Watch for free
Last Flamborough Lifeboat Day Last Flamborough Lifeboat Day
Amateur film 1991 6 mins Silent Location: Flamborough
In this delightful film, the local community of Flamborough turn out to see their prized lifeboat and rescue helicopter in action.
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
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.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.