This film is part of Free
Rollicking Revels at Rochdale
Fine threads are on display at Lancashire's premier cotton town.
Overview
Fine threads are on display at Lancashire's premier cotton town. The autumn carnival was clearly a source of local pride, with spectators lining the streets to glimpse the procession. Among all the brass and pom poms you'll spot some rather zany costumes, as well as a float done up as a cruise ship. Watch out too, for the hunch-backed character loping along at the rear.
Processions - especially those involving floats and costumes - were a favourite of newsreel companies like Topical Budget, which relied on fun and photogenic events that were planned well in advance.
Related
Cotton Come Back Cotton Come Back
Industry sponsored film 1946 26 mins Location: Shaw
A passionate post-war plea for workers to return to the cotton industry after decades of decline, framed as an argument between father and daughters.
Workpeople Leaving For Dinner, Robinson's Iron Foundry, Rochdale (1901) Workpeople Leaving For Dinner, Robinson's Iron Foundry, Rochdale (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 2 mins Silent Location: Rochdale
Employees exit a Lancashire works on a drizzly day.
Rochdale Tram Ride (1905) Rochdale Tram Ride (1905)
Non-Fiction 1905 5 mins Silent Location: Rochdale
Splendid views of Edwardian Rochdale from the front of a tram after a recent dusting of snow.
Turn Out of the Rochdale Fire Brigade (1901) Turn Out of the Rochdale Fire Brigade (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 4 mins Silent Location: Rochdale
A fire drill for the benefit of residents of Edwardian Rochdale - and the camera.
Showgirls is a Western Showgirls is a Western
Short documentary 2025 2 mins
In this mini video essay, BFI contributor Maha Al-Badrawi explains why Paul Verhoeven's Showgirls is a rhinestoned, stilettoed Western. Contains spoilers!
Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion
Short documentary 2026 22 mins
Filmmaker Andrea Luka Zimmerman and curator Matthew Barrington discuss Frederick Wiseman’s High School with Sandra Hebron.
Hard, Cracked the Wind Hard, Cracked the Wind
Horror 2019 17 mins
A haunting with words is the lure between life and death for a young Cornish poet.
A Last Resort A Last Resort
Comedy 2022 17 mins
Rose is desperate to celebrate her 60th birthday in style, but her daughter Genevieve is struggling to ignore some recent tragic news about her mum.
Seagull Seagull
Horror 2022 6 mins
Seagull is a recovering drug addict who is about to have a very strange night on The English Riviera.
The Walk The Walk
Drama 2023 12 mins
Adeel Akhtar portrays a man on a weekly trek to his nearest JobCentre, entering a state of purgatory through barriers put in place by the system.