The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Hebburn Clegwell Boys Modern School
A class act on the stage as school boys in drag tackle Gilbert and Sullivan’s swashbuckling opera.
From the collection of:
Overview
There’s a liberal slap of greasepaint for boys at the new Clegwell Secondary Modern School who prepare to tread the boards in bonnets for a performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s opera, Pirates of Penzance. This silent (somewhat out of focus) Kodachrome amateur film captures the industrious fun of set design, rehearsals, and the on stage slapstick of an annual theatrical production by Hebburn pupils growing up poor in the shadow of shipyards on the Tyne.
Related
Guinness - Shipwright Version 1 Guinness - Shipwright Version 1
Advert 1960 1 mins Location: Hebburn
Stout Geordie shipwright Martin Welsh opts for stout after work in this regional TV spot.
Here Comes the Bride Here Comes the Bride
Amateur film 1948 16 mins Silent Location: Hebburn
A wonderfully sophisticated take on the wedding film crafted by a Tyneside musician for his brother and a stylish bride.
Launch of the MV Innesmoor Launch of the MV Innesmoor
Amateur film 1954 16 mins Silent Location: Hebburn
Explore the gleaming new interiors of the Tyne-built cargo ship Innesmoor.
Launch of M.S. Joseph R. Smallwood 11th July 1972 Launch of M.S. Joseph R. Smallwood 11th July 1972
Industry sponsored film 1972 9 mins Silent Location: Hebburn
The Swan Hunter shipyard celebrates the launch of a tanker built to serve the Come By Chance oil refinery in Newfoundland.
Opening of the St. Aloysius Infant School, Hebburn Opening of the St. Aloysius Infant School, Hebburn
Non-Fiction 1928 7 mins Silent Location: Hebburn
A vivid portrait of a tough working Tyneside community in Hebburn at the opening of a Roman Catholic infant school.
Northern Star Northern Star
Industry sponsored film 1963 31 mins Location: Hebburn
A spectacular send off for migrants on board the Northern Star, a new ocean liner built and launched on Tyneside.
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.
Blades Blades
Drama 2023 2 mins
A group of young Black boys run into a building. One of them is about to do the unimaginable.
We Collide We Collide
Romance 2023 2 mins
A queercore romance - a visceral and immersive exploration of the power of the mosh pit and finding love in the most unlikely of places.
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.