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Residents of Manchester's own 'Little Italy' put on a display of religious pomp during the city's annual Whit Walk.
Non-Fiction 1902 3 mins Silent
Though a settlement existed in Roman times, Manchester's Italian community grew in earnest from the early 19th century. Craftsmen, artisans and unskilled workers escaping dire poverty at home flocked to what became known as 'Little Italy': the streets around Ancoats' many Catholic churches. This film records the community at its Edwardian peak, taking part in the annual Whit Walk procession.
Despite a once thriving ice cream industry and the best efforts of Manchester's Catholic Church-led Italian Society, Little Italy would not survive the travails of the 20th century. Two world wars and the slum clearances of the 1960s saw the city centre lose many of its distinctive close-knit communities, in this case one bound together by the combined power of family and organised religion.
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: Birmingham
Church school pupils set off for a trip to the famous Birmingham entertainment hall.
Non-Fiction 1904 11 mins Silent Location: Manchester
A damp and murky day greets the annual Whitsuntide Catholic procession in Edwardian Manchester.
Non-Fiction 1902 13 mins Silent Location: Birkenhead
May Queens and drag queens, cadets and clowns: thousands turn out for an Edwardian fundraiser in the Merseyside town.
Non-Fiction 1902 3 mins Silent Location: Accrington
An Edwardian congregation emerges after Sunday service in Accrington, Lancashire.
Non-Fiction 1902 5 mins Silent Location: Southport
Colourful carnival floats in the Lancashire seaside resort of Southport.
Non-Fiction 1901 2 mins Silent
Dublin's Catholic faithful wend their way home after Sunday service.
Non-Fiction 1901 4 mins Silent Location: Manchester
A volunteer cavalry regiment is enthusiastically welcomed home after active service in South Africa.
Charity appeal 1934 8 mins Location: Southport
Windows of opportunity: how a charity aimed to improve the lives of blind and partially sighted people.
Documentary 1946 51 mins Location: Manchester
A brisk look at the tests and education practices for deaf people in 1940s
Promotional 1968 29 mins Location: Manchester
Faith in the inner city - the mission of the Sharon Full Gospel Church in Manchester.
Student film 1984 3 mins Location: Manchester
Infatuation amongst the bookshelves, or a mind playing tricks? The viewer can decide...
Promotional 1958 13 mins Location: Manchester
Earning and learning, as an apprentice begins his working life.
Drama 2020 21 mins
A young Palestinian woman crosses the Israeli border illegally to find her long-lost brother, who she hopes will be her ticket to a new life.
Charity appeal 2020 2 mins
Beautiful NHS fundraiser, setting Michael Rosen’s poem to powerful archive images.
Non-Fiction 1924 1 mins Silent Location: Woking
The UK's first purpose-built mosque welcomes a huge crowd of worshippers - and newsreel cameras!
Comedy 1914 9 mins Silent
A vicar is caught flirting with an improperly-dressed chorus girl in this saucy silent comedy.
Non-Fiction 1901 4 mins Silent Location: Manchester
A volunteer cavalry regiment is enthusiastically welcomed home after active service in South Africa.
Non-Fiction 1901 2 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
All ashore! Passengers disembark and crew offload after a long Atlantic crossing.
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