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

Pipe Dreams
A once common object in many households becomes transformed into a quirky dancing troupe in this simple homespun animation.
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1965 3 mins
From the collection of:

Overview
This is another whimsical film by Wakefield couple Doug and Norah Brear showing that, even with very limited resources, the average amateur filmmaker in the 1960s could still produce an inventive light hearted animation. Taking the most mundane of everyday objects, pipe cleaners – not so “everyday” any more – the Brears demonstrate that you don’t necessarily need hi-tech equipment to conjure up a delightful short animation.
Doug and Norah Brear were members of Wakefield Cine Club who made over 60 films between 1960 and 1985, many shown at film shows across Yorkshire by his friend and fellow filmmaker Roger Spence. Pipe smoking has declined drastically since the 1960s, when it was very common, especially among those who took a thoughtful approach to life. Harold Wilson, the then Prime Minister – named Pipe Smoker of the Year in the year that this film was made – was hardly ever seen in public without his pipe, buying him time to think through what he was about to say; perhaps exemplifying Albert Einstein’s reported remark that pipe smoking, "contributed to a somewhat calm and objective judgment in all human affairs”.
Subjects
Related
Making and Doing

Tie and Dye Tie and Dye
Cinemagazine 1970 3 mins
A snazzy intro to the ancient textile-dyeing technique taking the 70s fashion world by storm.

Time on the Wing Time on the Wing
Sponsored film 1969 33 mins Location: Darlington
Everything you always wanted to know about North East homing pigeons (but were afraid to ask).

Make-do-and-mend Make-do-and-mend
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1945 1 mins
A wartime family look on in amazement as their old clothes offer useful advice on how to make their clothing coupons go further.

To Cane a Trout To Cane a Trout
Promotional 1974 34 mins Location: River Aln
Quiet reflection on angling and the craft of elegant cane rods from the famous Hardy Brothers of Alnwick.

Sister Dolores Sister Dolores
News 1974 9 mins Location: Rostrevor
Spend a day with Sister Dolores and discover the creative potential of the County Down coastline.

Model Clipper Sailor Model Clipper Sailor
Current affairs 1965 2 mins Location: Plymouth
Former shipwright turns his talents to model-making.
Wakefield

Play Bus Play Bus
Amateur film 1977 4 mins Location: Wakefield
The wheels on the bus go round and round, bringing toys and joys to pre-schoolers in West Yorkshire.

Kitchen Kaper Kitchen Kaper
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1963 5 mins Location: Wakefield
The clinking of the milkman doing his daily rounds turns into a moving tale of romance between the contrasting beverages of day and night.

Don’t Worry, I'll Manage Don’t Worry, I'll Manage
Amateur film 1964 5 mins Location: Wakefield
A cautionary tale of what happens when a husband is left by his wife to fend for himself; forgetting to put tea in the tea pot for one thing.

What a Way to Go What a Way to Go
Amateur film 1979 5 mins Location: Wakefield
A nightmare scenario of a pauper’s funeral, as well as being buried alive, brought to life in this whimsical tale of a man laid low with flu.

Wakefield, Yorkshire Wakefield, Yorkshire
Travelogue 1955 3 mins Location: Wakefield
John Betjeman whimsically appreciates Wakefield and its people - who "are like their houses, unpretentious and a bit grim on the outside".

Keeper and Kept Keeper and Kept
1972 11 mins Silent Location: Wakefield
Short documentary about how prison officers are trained and the impact this has at Wakefield maximum security prison.
New

Lydia West introduces Second Coming Lydia West introduces Second Coming
Short documentary 2021 5 mins
Lydia West (It’s A Sin) introduces debbie tucker green’s ethereal, warm and human debut feature.

In Separation In Separation
Drama 1965 5 mins
The powerful, multifaceted spirt and energies of the revolutionary 1960s are channelled in dynamic, monochrome microcosm.

Susan Wokoma introduces Prevenge Susan Wokoma introduces Prevenge
Short documentary 2021 5 mins
Susan Wokoma introduces Alice Lowe’s slasher comedy Prevenge, reflecting on Lowe’s journey making and starring in the film while pregnant, and her rich palette of classic influences.

Great Noises That Fill the Air Great Noises That Fill the Air
Performance 1990 27 mins
The Bow Gamelan Ensemble stage spectacular avant-garde musical shows.

Enverounen Enverounen
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1973 15 mins
An elderly man takes a hypnotic journey through his memories in the moments before his death.

The Late Show The Late Show
Documentary 1969 12 mins
The supreme intent and personal biography of a Black Panther contrasts with the alienating propaganda of late-night television.
About the archive
Know this place?
Do you recognise a place, building or location in this film?
Help us populate the Britain on Film map by spotting and plotting the street or location you know. This is a BFI project and anyone can help.
Go to our Britain on Film crowdsourcing site and contribute to our mapping mission – to identify locations within our archive films.
Add a location