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.
This film is part of Free
Promenade - a summer's day at Penarth
Who wouldn’t come to Penarth on a sunny day, when it offers sea, sand and boat trips, the delights of the pier and promenade, cafes to suit all tastes and Mods and Rockers?
From the collection of:
Overview
Penarth’s pier and promenade in all their glory, with voiced over comments from people with varying views of the town. For one it is a “quiet and peaceful” place; another, incensed by the late-night racket caused by youthful motorcyclists, laments the fact that “we have not a religion that will put them in their place”. Whatever the outlook, Penarth provides seaside, Rabaiotti’s cafes, R J Middleton’s Peco Puppets (Punch & Judy), watersports and Mods and Rockers.
Harley Jones, who produced this film with fellow editor Chris Bellinger, hailed from Swansea and worked from 1963-66 on John Grierson’s weekly Scottish Television programme 'This Wonderful World' (broadcast also on the ITV regions e.g. Televison Wales and West). He was the first course leader of Newport Film Unit, later Newport Film School (established at Newport College of Art and Design) from 1966-82.
Related
Watch for free
Unveiling the Cenotaph - Penarth Unveiling the Cenotaph - Penarth
Amateur film 1924 2 mins Silent Location: Penarth
A granite obelisk designed by Sir William Goscombe John of Cardiff is unveiled in memory of those who are stone dead for King and Country.
Watch for free
Great Western Ports Great Western Ports
Industry sponsored film 1929 86 mins Silent Location: Cardiff/Caerdydd
"Any Ware to Anywhere" - a film advertising the thoroughly modern merits of the Great Western Railway ports (e.g. Cardiff, Newport, Barry, Port Talbot, Swansea, Fishguard).
Watch for free
Wade Family - Penarth, Barry Wade Family - Penarth, Barry
Home movie 1950 14 mins Silent Location: Penarth
A Penarth family enjoys the garden at 3 Cwrt-y-Vil Road in summer (with hammock and swing seat), in winter (with snow) and trips to the seaside (The Knap, Barry) and Scotland.
Watch for free
Coast Line of South Wales Coast Line of South Wales
Amateur film 1935 38 mins Silent Location: Penarth
George and Maurice Holley, Cardiff pharmacists and pianists, go on a tour, witnessing the crowds at Barry and the seaweed drying near Castlemartin for the making of laver bread.
Watch for free
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
Watch for free
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Watch for free
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Watch for free
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
Watch for free
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
Watch for free
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.