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Rival groups from Ealing and Finchley go head to head in an entertaining and witty amateur film
Home movie 1956 11 mins
The annual battle of the Finchley and Ealing teams of the North London Jewish Group is splendidly captured in this appealing compilation of two home movies from Jewish optometrist Sidney Douglas, whose son donated nearly 100 of his films to the BFI National Archive.
This is an ambitious piece of filmmaking for a home movies, with an amusing commentary, a great soundtrack and, best of all, spoof publicity for local businesses, featuring heavy use of Yiddish ('schmutters', for those not in the know, means 'clothes'). The daft humour is infectious, while the children enter into the competition with impressive enthusiam. There's some nailbiting track and field events including a sack race and a three-legged dash.
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Amateur film 1937 2 mins Silent Location: Northumberland
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An intimate account of frustration and disarray in 1980s Britain from the point of view of a young woman.
Amateur film 1937 2 mins Silent Location: Northumberland
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School programme and Educational film 1955 11 mins Location: Finchley
Everyday family life in suburban North London - as seen by folk learning English in the 1950s.
Amateur film 1974 11 mins Location: Hayling Island
You'll be up to your knees in clay when you meet the Pyecrofts in this delightful film about a family brick making business on Hayling Island -
Amateur film 1976 4 mins Silent Location: Netley Marsh
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Amateur film 1952 15 mins Silent Location: Eastbourne
Journey back to the 50s where the boys of Eastbourne College enjoy a jolly good time square bashing, parading, playing rugby and athletics, rowing on the River Ouse and touring.
Amateur film 1966 7 mins Silent Location: Hove
Catch a glimpse of Hove's old town hall before the bull-dozers move in as well as leafy Horsham scenes and a local hunt at Patcham in this film from Doreen Combes
Amateur film 1962 4 mins Silent Location: Hove
Travel back in time to 1962 and see bubble cars on the road, service at the garage as it used to be and the Queen and Prince Philip paying a visit to Hove's Greyhound Stadium.
Amateur film 1969 4 mins Silent Location: Fulking
Frank Gregory captures rural West Sussex in this charming film from 1969 - featuring Shire horses at a ploughing match and excellent views of a spinning Shipley Mill
