This film is part of Free
Arthur Mold Bowling to A.N. Hornby (1901)
Did he bowl or did he throw? A fascinating record of an early cricketing controversy.
Overview
This unusually topical Mitchell and Kenyon title is perhaps the first filmed record of a sporting controversy. Lancashire's Mold, one of cricket's leading fast bowlers, was judged to have broken rules with his unorthodox bowling action. Despite his protests, this footage proves him guilty of 'throwing'. Mold's teammate Arthur Hornby was another cricketing giant, captaining Lancashire and England.
The film was taken during the second day of play between Lancashire and Somerset at Old Trafford. On the first, Mold, had been no-balled 15 times in 10 overs (including five times in one over) by Australian umpire James Phillips for contravening Rule 48. The accusation caused much comment in the local press. The Northamptonshire-born Mold had played for Lancashire since 1889 and was one of the game's most destructive fast bowlers. Manchester's Evening News reported that the controversy swelled attendance on the second day, and invited its readers to make their own judgements on Phillips' conduct, as well as asking leading umpires for their comments on Mold's bowling. By the early 1890s throwing was disturbingly pervasive in English cricket, and Mold was a serial offender. At a meeting of county captains in 1900 his delivery was condemned by 11 votes to one. Mold was not only breaking the rules, he was being accused of ungentlemany conduct and not behaving like a true Englishman.
Related
The Derby 1896 The Derby 1896
Non-Fiction 1896 0 mins Silent
A pioneering example of filmed news: from Epsom to the screen in record time
Feeding the Tigers Feeding the Tigers
Interest film 1899 1 mins Silent
A big cat has to perform for its supper in this early actuality film
H.M.S. Powerful Moored at Portsmouth H.M.S. Powerful Moored at Portsmouth
Non-Fiction 1900 0 mins Silent Location: Portsmouth
Take a good look at one of the era's largest warships - the hefty H.M.S. Powerful, back from the Boer War
Belfast Street Scenes 1890's Belfast Street Scenes 1890's
Non-Fiction 1898 2 mins Silent Location: Belfast
A view down the High Street featuring the Albert Clock, a shot of Queen's Bridge and the docks
Beach Scene Beach Scene
Non-Fiction 1897 1 mins Silent
A charming image of children paddling on a pebbly beach on a hot summer's day
Beagles Beagles
Amateur film 1898 2 mins Silent
A pack of beagles are assembled for a hunt by their trainers and a huntsman
Football Feud Football Feud
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Old Trafford Cricket Ground
Derby Day - Manchester City clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford for the bragging rights of the city.
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.
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.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.