The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is currently unavailable
B'nai B'rith Dinner for New President, Jewish Friendship Club Visits, Coco the Clown Visit
Behind the greasepaint of an iconic figure in the British circus - Coco the Clown reveals his Jewish roots.
From the collection of:
Overview
One of the most famous Augustes in Britain, Coco the Clown shows off his trademark oversize boots and fright wig and poses with Little Billy and the Bertram Mills Circus impresario on the Town Moor in Newcastle. These remarkable pictures also reveal the Jewish Latvian migr behind the greasepaint as Coco is made an honorary member of the Newcastle Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women.
In the tradition of local topical films popular with showmen in the early years of cinema, this wonderful amateur film is a significant portrait of the Jewish community in Newcastle, capturing as many faces as possible on camera. Those recorded include men and women of Newcastle (and Leeds) Friendship Clubs; guests at the smoky Bnai Brith dinner to inaugurate the new President; and those gathered to celebrate a former World War Two Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps recruit, Nicolai Poliakoff, also known as Coco the Clown. The Jewish Friendship Club Movement began in 1950, its aim to provide elderly Jewish men and women (over 60 years of age) with social and recreational centres.
Related
Simcha Simcha
Documentary 2000 12 mins
Extremely rare insight in the role of a Hasidic woman, featuring a mother-daughter team who live in North London.
Some of My Best Friends Some of My Best Friends
Documentary 1969 30 mins Location: Westminster
Jewish people - and a few Gentiles - muse on what it means to be Jewish in 1960s Britain
Chief Rabbi's Emergency Council Chief Rabbi's Emergency Council
1947 19 mins Silent
Poignant postwar appeal for Britain’s Jewry to support orphaned Jewish children rescued from Europe
Jewish Pensioners' Controversial Pools Win Jewish Pensioners' Controversial Pools Win
News 1975 5 mins Location: Southend-on-Sea
All good pals and jolly good company! A syndicate of Jewish pensioners from Southend celebrate their big win on the football pools.
Just One Kid Just One Kid
Factual TV 1974 54 mins Silent
A Jewish Eastender recalls growing up in poverty in the 1930s and being part of a community now long gone
Mr. Emmanuel Mr. Emmanuel
Drama 1944 97 mins
An elderly Jewish man journeys to Nazi Germany to track down a refugee’s mother in this extraordinary drama
V.T.O.L V.T.O.L
Amateur film 1969 8 mins Location: Town Moor
Jet set thrills at a 1969 Royal Air Force Exhibition on the Town Moor in Newcastle.
Bingo Bingo
Amateur film 1965 9 mins Silent Location: Jesmond
A business man’s luck runs out when he tries to lose a kitsch bingo prize at the Hoppings fair.
28 June 1967: Town Moor Hoppings 28 June 1967: Town Moor Hoppings
News 1967 6 mins Location: Town Moor
A rap on rain and rates with Britain’s first black British broadcaster and the travelling showpeople at the Hoppings funfair in Newcastle.
Bridges on the River Tyne Bridges on the River Tyne
Amateur film 1957 5 mins Silent Location: Town Moor
A pleasure flight from Newcastle Airport wings its way along the Tyne in the 1950s.
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.
Edgar Wright on The Running Man Edgar Wright on The Running Man
Inside Film 2025 28 mins
The director talks to Mark Kermode about putting Stephen King's dystopian life-or-death gameshow thriller through its paces.
Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 69 mins
Richard Linklater discusses his remarkable and wide-ranging body of work, including Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague.
Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 73 mins
Daniel Day-Lewis, the ultimate actor’s actor discusses his career in conversation with Mark Kermode.