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
Cine Club
John Clague's unusual portmanteau film features Brylcreem coiffed photographers, bookies, bouffant bridesmaids and off-beat narratives
From the collection of:
Overview
This unusual film from John Clague opens with a man looking through a Canon QL camera. We then see a forlorn looking man, in a dirty mac, enter a betting shop. He tears up his losing betting slips. Next, inside Erricks camera shop, a man brings a waterlogged camera for repair. In darkness another man passes shop fronts at night. On a shelf sits the Canon camera with its price tag. We follow a wedding party being photographed after which we see films being developed into prints.
John Clague was a keen amateur filmmaker based in Herne Bay who produced an annual newsreel of this town from 1934 to 1970. He started by using 9.5mm film, progressing to 16mm film by the 1950s. These films represent an important record of Herne Bay spanning 36 years, including a fascinating film about local Air Raid Precautions. He also made a number of films about and set in Canterbury, including a colour film of the city’s Festival of Britain celebrations in 1951.
Related
Watch for free
I Am a Mobile Librarian I Am a Mobile Librarian
Documentary 1960 13 mins Location: Hertfordshire
See how Sally Jenkins and her driver, Thomas, run Hertfordshire's mobile library service with military precision.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Watch for free
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Watch for free
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
Watch for free
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.