This film is part of Free
Funeral of Canon Morrissey in Burnley (1903)
Unusual and sombre footage of much-loved Lancashire priest's funeral.
Overview
A different side of Mitchell and Kenyon: all sorrowful solemnity and no cheerful bustle. But like several of their films these scenes of mourners proceeding to Requiem Mass at St Mary of the Assumption movingly testify to Catholicism's strong Lancashire presence. And like all their work, it was good business: screening locally within days, topping an otherwise high-spirited bill.
Canon James Morrissey, who served his entire 27-year priestly life at St Mary's, was said to have commanded great local (and cross-denominational) respect in Burnley. The footage itself seems to corroborate this. Seeing as Canon Morrissey died prematurely, the film's commissioner Albert Wilkinson showed a showman's opportunism in hastily hiring Mitchell and Kenyon's services for these funeral scenes (Wilkinson was himself a sometime M&K cameraman). We know he began showing the film in Burnley with other (mostly M&K) films just eight days after the funeral. What we don't know is whether the print he screened included all the footage you see here, originating from the camera negative, or whether it was in some way edited. Some shots are badly over-exposed by the camera operator, giving a washed-out appearance... perhaps they were cut out of the print screened in 1903?
Related
Funeral of Queen Victoria (1901) Funeral of Queen Victoria (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 5 mins Silent Location: Hyde Park
The crowds stand silent as the nation says goodbye to Queen Victoria in February 1901.
Joseph Chamberlain at Home (1902) Joseph Chamberlain at Home (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 3 mins Silent Location: Birmingham
A political giant at his magnificent Highbury estate in Birmingham.
Return of Kitchener (1902) Return of Kitchener (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 4 mins Silent
Lord Kitchener, Commander-in-Chief of the British army, returns from South Africa to cheering crowds.
Princess Louise at Liverpool (1906) Princess Louise at Liverpool (1906)
Non-Fiction 1906 1 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
A bagpipe band marches in honour of Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, on her visit to Liverpool.
Prince of Siam in Liverpool (1901) Prince of Siam in Liverpool (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 3 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
The future King of Siam takes a trip across the Mersey.
The King's Ride in the Isle of Man (1902) The King's Ride in the Isle of Man (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 1 mins Silent Location: Isle of Man
Crowds clamour for a view of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra (on tour) in the Isle of Man.
A Bit of Old Burnley A Bit of Old Burnley
Amateur film 1940 5 mins Silent Location: Burnley
Come for a drive around the streets of a busy Lancashire town.
Play is Education Play is Education
Amateur film 1965 10 mins Silent Location: Burnley
Learning is fun, but fun also means learning for Burnley nursery school children.
Preston Ladies Football and T.A. Volunteers Preston Ladies Football and T.A. Volunteers
Amateur film 1945 11 mins Silent Location: Preston
Playing the beautiful game - the ladies from Lancashire demonstrate their skills.
Helliwell Family Trip with Violet and Jack Helliwell Family Trip with Violet and Jack
Amateur film 1964 21 mins Silent Location: Heysham
Colourful amateur film showing family outings around Lancashire and a trip to Southampton to meet travellers from America
Lancashire League Championship Season 1938 Lancashire League Championship Season 1938
Sport 1938 15 mins Silent Location: Burnley
An exciting finale to the cricket season, and a chance to see the great George Headley in action.
Coloured Woven Cloth Production by Barden Mill Co., (Burnley) Ltd Coloured Woven Cloth Production by Barden Mill Co., (Burnley) Ltd
Documentary 1949 26 mins Silent Location: Burnley
Warp twisting and high speed pirn winding? Come inside a Lancashire mill to find out more.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.