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
Hull Street Scenes
A truly amazing slice of working class city life in post-war Britain as a young filmmaker becomes a part of the street life of Hull, revealing its everydayness in grainy detail.
From the collection of:
Overview
Children play among the ruins of Hull caused by the heavy bombing it received, just over a decade on from the end of the war. The streets of the 1950s are the territory of girls, boys and the emergent sub-group of the teenager. Pearson Park in Hull is the locus for the entire community as younger children are joined by mothers with prams and elderly men observing all from the park benches. Meanwhile local youth display their new post-war sense of freedom.
This is one of a number of films made by John Turner, who, on his arrival in Hull in 1957 to study Physics at the University, wandered around Hull with his 8mm cine camera. He filmed everyday life in the streets, parks and docks, the shoppers in the city centre and locals at Hull Fair. At this time Hull was proving to be a prime place for exemplifying the everyday life of the nation, with the University at its centre. Richard Hoggart was a lecturer there and published his influential book on culture and class, The Uses of Literacy, in this same year, 1957. The year before Philip Larkin moved into his second floor flat overlooking Pearson Park, heavily featured in this film – although he doesn’t seem to make an appearance.
Related
Hull F.C. v Hull Kingston Rovers (1902) Hull F.C. v Hull Kingston Rovers (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 4 mins Silent Location: Kingston upon Hull
Rugby arch rivals lock horns in Hull.
Royal Visits to Hull Royal Visits to Hull
Non-Fiction 1978 14 mins Silent Location: Kingston upon Hull
The never ending Royal tour revisits Hull twice in a decade, with the Duke, the Queen and Prince Charles working their charm on children, factory workers and ex-seamen alike.
Hull's Tidal Wave Hull's Tidal Wave
Non-Fiction 1921 2 mins Location: Kingston upon Hull
A tidal surge in Hull prompts poignant newsreel pictures of wreckage and recovery.
The Port of Hull The Port of Hull
Documentary 1963 29 mins Silent Location: Kingston upon Hull
Dry facts meet aesthetic beauty in this industrial film showcasing Hull’s status as a thriving international port.
Hull Fair (1902) Hull Fair (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 4 mins Silent Location: Kingston upon Hull
The ornate pavilions of cinematographs, boxing booths and menageries at Hull Fair.
Scenes at Monument Bridge in Hull (1900) Scenes at Monument Bridge in Hull (1900)
Non-Fiction 1900 2 mins Silent Location: Kingston upon Hull
A melee of traffic, carts, trams, bicycles and people of all ages squeeze past the camera in Victorian Hull.
The Big Country The Big Country
Promotional 1970 16 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Tuning into the biggest consumer market for television advertising in Britain with Trident TV.
Trip to Wembley Trip to Wembley
Amateur film 1982 3 mins Silent Location: Kingston upon Hull
Fans celebrate as Hull FC take home the Rugby Challenge Cup trophy after the rematch declares their victory.
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.
To Hull and Back To Hull and Back
Documentary 1983 26 mins Location: Kingston upon Hull
So much to see of Hull, with its great port, fishing history, historic showdown with Charles I, and two highly impressive public loos.
Oh Hull Oh Hull
Amateur film 1972 6 mins Location: Kingston upon Hull
A whole posse of jovial amateur filmmakers descend upon Hull to film many of the features now gone, such as the ferry and St Andrew’s fish docks.
The Port of Hull The Port of Hull
Documentary 1963 29 mins Silent Location: Kingston upon Hull
Dry facts meet aesthetic beauty in this industrial film showcasing Hull’s status as a thriving international port.
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.