This film is part of Free
Morecambe Parade
Seaside festivities captured by one of the world’s earliest amateur filmmakers.
Overview
This record of festivities at the Lancashire resort can reasonably be described as one of the world’s earlier amateur films. It was shot by William Henry Youdale of Cockermouth, Cumberland. A draper by trade, he was also a magic lantern operator who, off his own bat, made several forays into film – the new media of its day.
The distinction, in this early period, between the films of such ‘amateurs’ and the budding ‘professional’ industry is not a hard and fast one. But this film does anticipate something of the hobby filmmaking to come in decades ahead - parades, carnivals and similar special occasions would continue to be favourite subjects for generations of amateur filmmakers.
Related
Factory Chimney Fire Factory Chimney Fire
Non-Fiction 1900 2 mins Silent
A veritable Victorian Towering Inferno.
Arrival of Train-load of Visitors at Henley Station Arrival of Train-load of Visitors at Henley Station
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins Silent Location: Henley-on-Thames
Jolly boating weather as the hordes descend on Henley for the Regatta.
Bumping Race (Cambridge May Races) Bumping Race (Cambridge May Races)
Non-Fiction 1900 0 mins Silent Location: Cambridge
University teams navigate a bend on the river Cam in no ordinary rowing race.
Blackburn Rovers V. West Bromwich 1898 Blackburn Rovers V. West Bromwich 1898
Non-Fiction 1898 1 mins Silent Location: Ewood Park, Blackburn
A little piece of football history from the people's game: possibly the earliest surviving game on film
Launch of H.M.S. Albion Launch of H.M.S. Albion
Non-Fiction 1898 2 mins Silent Location: Blackwall
The launch of H.M.S Albion, which was marred by the collapse of a gangway which resulted in many spectators drowning.
Solar Eclipse Solar Eclipse
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins
The magic of a real solar eclipse filmed by a famous magician
Comical Chris Comical Chris
Amateur film 1898 1 mins Silent Location: Morecambe
Victorian revelry on Morecambe Seafront.
Glengarry Topical Film No. 20 Glengarry Topical Film No. 20
Amateur film 1933 18 mins Silent Location: Winsford
Floral delights and more from around the North West.
The King's Highway The King's Highway
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Morecambe
Crowds applaud as Lord Derby opens construction on a new road to the North
West Lancashire West Lancashire
Amateur film 1930 4 mins Silent Location: Blackpool
Come rain or shine, we're off to the seaside - a trip along the Fylde Coast in all kinds of weather.
Helliwell Family Trip with Violet and Jack Helliwell Family Trip with Violet and Jack
Amateur film 1964 21 mins Silent Location: Heysham
Colourful amateur film showing family outings around Lancashire and a trip to Southampton to meet travellers from America
Motorway through the Lune Valley Motorway through the Lune Valley
Industry sponsored film 1971 27 mins Location: Carlisle
Bringing the motorway to Cumbria's Lune Valley, whether it likes it or not.
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.
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.