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Pageant of Birmingham

Spanning the years from dinosaurs in Birmingham's Bull Ring to the city's pride at being the 'Hub of Industrial England'. A cast of 8,000 celebrate a great city.

Amateur film 1938 9 mins Silent

From the collection of:

Logo for Media Archive for Central England

Overview

Gwen Lally (1838-1963) was a noted pageant master of the inter-war years producing giant civic celebrations at Warwick Castle and Tewkesbury before taking charge of a cast of 8,000 to celebrate the centenary of Birmingham's Charter of Incorporation in 1938. Perhaps the scene of cave people battling prehistoric beasts is lacking a little historical accuracy but there's no denying the vigour and skill put into the full blooded recreation of the Battle of Crecy.