This film is part of Free

Manchester - Where English Dog Racing Originated...
These vignettes of Manchester locals at play conjure a city reeling from its industrial success
Overview
It's the dawn of the Roaring Twenties and the Manchester depicted here is a city on a high, still reeling from its hard-earned status as Britain's foremost industrial powerhouse. While not evident in these brief scenes, WWI had cut the northern textile industry off from most of its overseas markets and a long industrial decline had started to take root. In the meantime, enjoy the Belle Vue funfair rides!
It's likely that these scenes were part of a longer, yet unidentified, film. The intertitle alludes to the fact that Belle Vue in Gorton, north Manchester was the first place in Britain to host a greyhound racing event, a concept imported from the United States. At the time this film was made, though, Belle Vue was more famous for its amusement park and zoological gardens - as showcased here. Don't miss the priceless Charleston dancer's turn towards the end of the film.
Related

Manchester's Welcome to the Imperial Yeomanry (1901) Manchester's Welcome to the Imperial Yeomanry (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 4 mins Silent Location: Manchester
A volunteer cavalry regiment is enthusiastically welcomed home after active service in South Africa.

Shuttered Windows Shuttered Windows
Charity appeal 1934 8 mins Location: Southport
Windows of opportunity: how a charity aimed to improve the lives of blind and partially sighted people.

Education of the Deaf Education of the Deaf
Documentary 1946 51 mins Location: Manchester
A brisk look at the tests and education practices for deaf people in 1940s

Heaven Opens Heaven Opens
Amateur film 1968 29 mins Location: Manchester
Faith in the inner city - the mission of the Sharon Full Gospel Church in Manchester.

Apprentice Training Apprentice Training
Promotional 1958 13 mins Location: Manchester
Earning and learning, as an apprentice begins his working life.

Manchester Tickled Pink Manchester Tickled Pink
Amateur film 1993 2 mins Silent Location: Manchester
Manchester is 'Tickled Pink' with this annual celebration of LGBT life.

All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.

Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.

Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.

Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.

Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.

China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.