The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
This film is part of Free
Eric Sykes and the Variety Club of Great Britain
Artists attend lunch to raise funds for disadvantaged children.
In partnership with:
Overview
Members of the Variety Club of Great Britain attend a lunch and its supporters include actors and comedians Eric Sykes, Hattie Jacques, Larry Grayson, Deryck Guyler and singer Moira Anderson. Combe Pafford School for children with learning difficulties in Torquay is presented with a Variety Club minibus. Larry Grayson and Moira Anderson are appearing for the summer season at Torquay's Princess Theatre.
Eric Sykes and Hattie Jacques starred as TV twins in the sitcom Sykes (1972 to 1979) with Deryck Guyler playing the policeman. Deryck Guyler was the voice of the adverts for Scotch Video Tapes in the 1980s. Eric Sykes battled deafness and blindness in his lifetime. His spectacles contained no lenses but were a bone-conducting hearing aid. He was multi-talented and came to prominence writing for The Goon Show before scripting and starring in his own sitcoms. Larry Grayson was a variety comedian and game show host known for his catchphrase Shut That Door! Variety UK started in 1949 and raises money for children. Variety was first started by showbusiness people in America in 1927-8.
Related
Watch for free
Cue Danny La Rue Cue Danny La Rue
Current affairs 1982 5 mins Location: Torquay
The charming entertainer explains his love of the frock.
Watch for free
Braille Lesson Braille Lesson
Current affairs 1962 1 mins Silent Location: Torquay
Police Constable learns to read differently.
Watch for free
Young Tennis Player Jo Louis Young Tennis Player Jo Louis
Sport 1980 5 mins Location: Torquay
Young tennis hopeful Jo Louis is at a coaching session in Torquay
Watch for free
Virginia Wade v Ann Jones in Dewar Cup Tie Virginia Wade v Ann Jones in Dewar Cup Tie
Sport 1970 7 mins Location: Torquay
British number ones compete for the Dewar Cup
Watch for free
Sue Barker competing in Torquay Sue Barker competing in Torquay
Sport 1984 12 mins Location: Torquay
Sue Barker returns to home turf with a very special fan
Watch for free
Sue Barker plays Evonne Goolagong Sue Barker plays Evonne Goolagong
Sport 1971 9 mins Location: Torquay
A young pretender takes on the Wimbledon Champion
Watch for free
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
Watch for free
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Watch for free
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Watch for free
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
Watch for free
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
Watch for free
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.