The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Harrogate Coronation Celebrations 1937
With war on the horizon, Britannia is in full flow through the streets of Harrogate, along with cross dressing, a parade of exotic floats, performing dogs and the Marx Brothers.
From the collection of:
Overview
The coronation of King George VI in 1937 provides a rare opportunity for everyone – maybe even republicans – to let their hair down, with the threat of war in the air. Here in Harrogate the opportunity is grabbed with both hands, as floats are fantastically decorated and people invent some amazing fancy dress costumes, while the acts in the entertainment include a knife-throwing cowboy and a bouncing clown.
This film was donated by Mr H.G. Sanders of Harrogate who was in the removal business in the 1930s. He was a driver in one of the decorative vehicles in this film. After his brother Edward abdicated as king in December of the previous year, George succeeded as King George VI, with the coronation on 12 May 1937. This was the original date for the coronation of his brother, and it was intended then to have a ceremonial Delhi Durbar in India, as occurred for his father George V in 1911. However, a combination of cost, rising Indian nationalism and increased tensions with Germany led to this idea being scrapped.
Related
Hitchin Coronation Celebrations Hitchin Coronation Celebrations
Non-Fiction 1936 8 mins Silent Location: Hitchin
By George! (and Mary)... Patriotic crowds pack the streets of Hitchin for exuberant coronation celebrations.
Jewish Ex-Service Men's Coronation Parade 1 Jewish Ex-Service Men's Coronation Parade 1
Amateur film 1937 4 mins Silent Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
A proud expression of Jewish identity and heroism at a Coronation parade to the Eldon Square World War One memorial in Newcastle.
Coronation Street Party - Parc-Y-Dre Road, Ruthin, 1953 Coronation Street Party - Parc-Y-Dre Road, Ruthin, 1953
Amateur film 1953 8 mins Silent Location: Ruthin
Right royal revels in Parc-Y-Dre Road involving a decorated donkey, a mystery man and a pile of greenery and cardboard that will provide a community beacon at dusk.
Coronation of Edward VII (1902) Coronation of Edward VII (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 0 mins Silent Location: Westminster Abbey
A short glimpse of the new King's delayed coronation procession through London.
Woodford Celebrates the Coronation Woodford Celebrates the Coronation
Documentary 1953 2 mins Silent Location: Woodford
A great parade in celebration of the day of Elizabeth II's coronation, complete with a guest appearance from the Prime Minister!
Coronation Scenes Coronation Scenes
Amateur film 1937 6 mins Silent Location: Westminster
The streets of Westminster and Camberwell are festooned with bunting and banners in preparation for the Coronation of George VI in this remarkable colour film from A E Ford.
Harrogate Mayoral Sunday Harrogate Mayoral Sunday
Amateur film 1951 8 mins Silent Location: Harrogate
The mayor of Harrogate revels in the military pomp and grandeur of parading servicemen and women in this patriotic short film.
Harrogate Holiday 1949 Harrogate Holiday 1949
Amateur film 1949 18 mins Silent Location: Harrogate
Post-war Harrogate: voted the happiest place in Britain and the third most romantic destination in the world.
A Woodman's Dream A Woodman's Dream
Amateur film 1983 7 mins Location: Harrogate
The transformative power of both nature and art meet as a tree becomes an elegant bird in the hands of a skilled craftsman.
Hallmark of Harmony Hallmark of Harmony
Documentary 1986 26 mins Location: Sheffield
The many joys of barbershop singing on display as our Sheffield hopefuls are cajoled into a winning chorus by an inspirational teacher.
Beautiful Yorkshire Beautiful Yorkshire
Amateur film 1936 12 mins Silent Location: Harrogate
Sedate cars drive by the Stray at Harrogate, where stately ladies serenely walk, while a lonely woman in a glides by in a punt at Knaresborough.
The Story of Sheep The Story of Sheep
Non-Fiction 1956 23 mins Silent Location: Yorkshire and the Humber
Each year the cycle is renewed, beginning and ending with spring lambs basking in the sun, and in between sheep get transformed from animals into woolly jumpers and Sunday lunch.
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.