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Hunslet Carnival and Gala (1904)

A spectacular street procession in the heart of industrial West Yorkshire.

Non-Fiction 1904 5 mins Silent

Overview

Carnivals were a highlight of the Edwardian calendar, when they allowed townsfolk to set aside the usual norms of class, status and gender. This film of a summertime procession through Hunslet in south east Leeds is no exception, featuring blackface minstrels, men in women's dress and floats depicting religious and historical scenes. As is common, showmen marshal the crowd around the camera.

Genres

Non-Fiction

Country

United Kingdom

Location

Hunslet

Language

No Dialogue with English subtitles

Subjects

Carnivals Galas Parades and marches Scouts Mounted police Cadets Field artillery Marching bands Carriages (horses) Costumes Racial stereotyping Minstrels (variety act) May Day celebrations 1900-1909 Spectators Floats (parades)

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