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The luxurious RMS Lucania is bound for New York in one of Mitchell & Kenyon's most elaborate and striking films.
Non-Fiction 1901 16 mins Silent
RMS Lucania was a luxurious jewel in the Cunard fleet, working the Liverpool-New York route from 1893 to 1909. This unusually complex film was shot on board the Lucania and its tender ship SS Skirmisher, and dockside at the Prince's Landing Stage. Among hectic scenes of passengers boarding, cargo loading and lifeboat drills are some striking and evocative shots of the crews posing for the camera.
The Lucania left Liverpool for New York on Saturday 1st December 1901. Among the officers seen on deck is Captain McKay. Liverpool's Daily Post reported on notable saloon passengers including American jockey Johnny Reiff and his brother Lester; music hall star Eugene Stratton was there seeing off his niece. The Liverpool Mercury of 3rd December includes a review of a screening at the Prince of Wales Theatre featuring "a number of magnificent pictures" of the Lucania's departure. The ship would be scrapped in 1909 after a disastrous fire in her berth at Liverpool, while the humble SS Skirmisher soldiered on until 1946, making her probably the longest-serving Cunard vessel.
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: Tay Bridge
A journey across the well-known Scottish railway bridge, filmed from the engine front.
Non-Fiction 1902 14 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
A steamship tour along the picturesque coast from Liverpool to the Menai Straits.
Non-Fiction 1898 2 mins Silent Location: Barnstaple
A 'phantom ride' along a fondly remembered Devon railway, crossing the distinctive Taw Bridge into Barnstaple on the way to Ilfracombe
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent
A large liner draws away from the quay, but where is she headed?
Non-Fiction 1901 2 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
All ashore! Passengers disembark and crew offload after a long Atlantic crossing.
Non-Fiction 1905 5 mins Silent Location: Rochdale
Splendid views of Edwardian Rochdale from the front of a tram after a recent dusting of snow.
Charity appeal 1936 26 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
Bookbinding and a bagatelle: training for disabled people in the interwar years.
Student film 1952 12 mins Location: Liverpool
Student life and all that jazz - a visit to Liverpool University in1952.
Student film 1962 14 mins Location: Liverpool
It's a hard life being an misunderstood genius - I really should get out more.
Instructional film/TV programme 1955 37 mins Location: Liverpool
Good luck and safe motorcycling! Let the experts show you how.
Amateur film 1956 12 mins Silent Location: Dingle
Riding around the city on the Dockers' Umbrella - the last days of an iconic local landmark.
Non-Fiction 1952 12 mins Silent Location: Bolton
Any old iron? The people of the North West contribute to the nationwide collection of scrap metal.
Non-Fiction 1898 1 mins Silent
The Victorian great and good mark the passing of a political titan
Non-Fiction 1900 2 mins Silent
For Britons during the Boer War, a welcome opportunity to support the troops - and march alongside them
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Location: Barrow-In-Furness
Factory gate glimpses at - we think - Barrow-in-Furness
Non-Fiction 1898 1 mins Silent Location: Worthing
Worthing waves at us in this mesmerising early film
Comedy 1898 1 mins Silent
Film's first joke? A fresh take on an old prank.
Non-Fiction 1895 0 mins Silent
This was one of a series of actuality films made by the Victorian pioneer Birt Acres during 1895. The film is thought to have been shot on June 20, on the occasion of the opening of the Kiel Canal by the German Kaiser Wilhelm II. Acres shot other films at the same time, but they have not survived.
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