The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Opening of the J.B. Priestley Library
Bradford-born author J.B. Priestley is in fine humour in this insightful film that depicts his opening of a new library at Bradford Uni.
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Overview
This fascinating film offers a candid filmic examination of J.B. Priestley’s literary career, as well as his famous amiable personality, during his visit to the University of Bradford to open a new library. Initially, we follow Priestley as he tours the new library and then later we listen to Chancellor Harold Wilson’s introduction, followed by Priestley’s own amusing closing address.
J. B. Priestley is a world-renowned novelist, playwright, scriptwriter, and social commentator. Priestley was born in Bradford in 1894 and his Yorkshire upbringing was a major influence on his work and his worldview. His 1945 play An Inspector Calls is arguably his most well-known piece of work.