National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales preserves and celebrates the sound and moving image heritage of Wales, making it accessible to a wide range of users for enjoyment and learning. Its film collection reflects every aspect of the nation’s social, cultural and working life across the 20th century, giving a fascinating insight into Welsh filmmaking, both amateur and professional.
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Mr. and Mrs. Jones' Visit to Bracing Sunny Rhyl, North Wales
Disgraceful behaviour atop a Rhyl charabanc - but it's all in a day's work for the Jovial Jesters' Mr and Mrs Jones…
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Overview
After you have seen this Picture, you will want to visit this Popular Health Resort' declares the title-frame – and the two (male) Jovial Jesters company members certainly put life and soul into playing the eponymous 'Mr and Mrs Jones' having a high old time of it, larking about and viewing the delights of Rhyl vertiginously from atop their charabanc as it trundles along the seafront.
According to Colin Jones's 'Rhyl Life' online blog, Gilbert Rogers's Jovial Jesters appeared in Rhyl during summer seasons from 1907 until the 1920s, occupying the minstrel pitch on the sands opposite High Street. In this film made by the Shannon Film Company for Rhyl Advertising Association, the parts of Mr and Mrs Jones are played by Hardy Palm and Harry Fife, clad in jesters' attire and (Mrs Jones) Welsh shawl and tall hat. Other Jovial Jesters appear too – acting drunk on the charabanc and performing on a beachfront stage – the whole spectacle attracting quite a crowd of spectators.
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