Screen Archive South East is a public sector moving image archive serving the South East of England. The archive's collections of magic lantern slides, films, videos and associated materials capture the many varied aspects of life, work and creativity from the early days of screen history to the present day and serve as a rich and invaluable historical resource.
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May I Have the Pleasure?
Join the jolly crew of A J Stantons Ltd as they enjoy the company's first dinner dance - as well as playing party games with straws and balloons
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Overview
This enjoyable film shows A J Stanton and Company Ltd's first annual staff dinner dance in January 1952. Starting with some exterior shots of the company's registered office, we then see elaborate titles followed by scenes of the staff sitting down to dinner. Next we see couples dancing and enjoying a game where rings are passed from person to person, using straws. The whole company poses for a grand portrait before we see couples waltzing with balloons between their legs.
Peter Mills was a skilled amateur cameraman who worked with Peter Watkins on various projects in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He was an assistant cameraman on a number of Watkins' productions - including 'The Forgotten Faces' and 'Dust Fever.' Peter Watkins is perhaps best known for his controversial drama-documentary film 'The War Game', which, though banned by the BBC, for whom it was made, would go on to win the 1967 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
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