Screen Archive South East is a public sector moving image archive serving the South East of England. The archive's collections of magic lantern slides, films, videos and associated materials capture the many varied aspects of life, work and creativity from the early days of screen history to the present day and serve as a rich and invaluable historical resource.
This film is part of Free
Canterbury and Dover
Peter Mills' film provides a glimpse of Canterbury and Dover in the early 1960s - where buildings, ancient and modern, sit side by side and Dover's castle is a backdrop to the port
From the collection of:
Overview
Starting at Canterbury's medieval Cathedral we next see the modern Dover Stage Hotel. After a ride of the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway we see wet streets in Canterbury's Longmarket shopping area. Back in Dover, we view the town from Wellington Dock. The ancient castle dominates the skyline. We get an evening view of Canterbury Cathedral before returning to Dover where ships arrive and depart. A pilot boat and steam tugs are also glimpsed.
The Dover Stage Hotel, seen in this film, was a post-war modern style building designed by Louis Erdi. Construction began on the 42 room hotel in January 1956. Built on the site of a Regency villa, badly damaged by shelling during the Second World War, the six floors of the hotel were balanced in large V-shaped struts and every room had a view of the sea. It also had an American Bar, a ballroom, a tea room and various lounges. In May 1957 the hotel was opened by the Mayor of Dover, who rode to the opening ceremony in a period stagecoach. The building was demolished in 1988 to make way for blocks of flats but these were never built and today the site houses a car park.
Related
Watch for free
The Opening of Ricemans Store in Canterbury and a Trip to Dover Castle The Opening of Ricemans Store in Canterbury and a Trip to Dover Castle
Amateur film 1962 7 mins Silent Location: Canterbury
Canterbury's newest department store opens to a colourful fanfare as this film from Peter Mills shows - along with an historical pageant, a Marine band and a trip to Dover Castle.
Watch for free
The Studios at Elstree The Studios at Elstree
Amateur film 1985 3 mins Location: Borehamwood
One of the UK's oldest film studios braces itself for redevelopment in this film from Alan Stingemore
Watch for free
50 Years On 50 Years On
Amateur film 1990 12 mins Location: Hawkinge
Surviving Battle of Britain veterans celebrate half a century since their finest hour at various locations in Kent - Britain's front line county during the Second World War
Watch for free
Alexandra Palace and Canterbury's Longmarket Alexandra Palace and Canterbury's Longmarket
Amateur film 1986 3 mins Location: Alexandra Palace
Alexandra Palace is the venue for this short film from Alan Stingemore which also includes a look at Canterbury's LongMarket shopping centre
Watch for free
Canterbury 1935: Murder in the Cathedral Canterbury 1935: Murder in the Cathedral
Amateur film 1935 3 mins Silent Location: Canterbury
T S Eliot stars in this remarkable film from Sydney Bligh - attending a performance of his famous play 'Murder in the Cathedral' in the story's actual location
Watch for free
A Fire at Dennes Mill A Fire at Dennes Mill
Amateur film 1933 7 mins Silent Location: Canterbury
Canterbury's historic Dennes Mills comes to a fiery and dramatic end in this amazing piece of local reportage from Sydney Bligh
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.