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
Rugby League Cup Semi-Final Hull vs. Huddersfield
When rugby league players looked no different from footballers, and the crowds were just as big, and not wearing a hat was an eccentricity.
From the collection of:
Overview
A train crammed with Rugby League supporters pulls into Leeds station. Hull are playing Huddersfield in the Rugby League Cup Semi-Final of 1935. The teams, looking lighter and nimbler than their present day counterparts, run onto the pitch. Headingley is so packed that the game is stopped while some of the crowd spills over the terraces. Vast swathes of men in flat caps watch the action as one penalty kick from Hull goes straight between the posts, while another just misses.
This film is most probably of the Challenge Cup Semi-Final of 1935, when Huddersfield were beaten finalists. The penalty kicker is very possibly Hull legend Joe Oliver, seen running onto the pitch. He was the captain and club kicker, who kicked 629 goals for them between 1928 to 1945 and scored 162 tries – still the club record holder for scoring most points. Known as ‘Old Faithful’, Gene Autry’s song of that name became the club’s anthem. Oliver had also previously played for Huddersfield, and went on to play for local rivals Hull KR as well. Although failing to win the Challenge Cup, Hull did win the Championship Cup Final the following season.
Related
Watch for free
A Century before Lunch A Century before Lunch
Non-Fiction 1926 1 mins Silent Location: Headingley
A masterful innings by Australian batsman Macartney in the third test at Headingley.
Watch for free
Winged Workers Winged Workers
Home movie 1949 6 mins Silent Location: Headingley
An extraordinary film made by amateurs showing a wide variety of species of bees in close up feeding from an equally wide variety of flowers.
Watch for free
A Year and a Day A Year and a Day
Amateur film 1954 14 mins Silent Location: Headingley
The metamorphosis of the eating machine which is the caterpillar, into an Emperor Moth, revealed in all its detail and presented in 15 minutes.
Watch for free
Last of the `Lawnswoods' Last of the `Lawnswoods'
Non-Fiction 1956 8 mins Silent Location: Leeds
A trip across Leeds in March 1956 on board the 194 tram, advertising Hemmingway Ales, passing the local traffic, the Civic Hall and other notable landmarks.
Watch for free
Blenheim Boys School Events Blenheim Boys School Events
Amateur film 1957 21 mins Silent Location: Headingley
A wonderful film of secondary school lads in 1950s Leeds, out playing fast rugby on a frosty winter morning, reading in the library, but also larking about as they swig school milk.
Watch for free
Leeds Athletic and Cycling Club Carnival at Headingley (1902) Leeds Athletic and Cycling Club Carnival at Headingley (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 7 mins Silent Location: Headingley
Athletes and acrobats wow the crowds at the annual Cycling Club carnival.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Watch for free
Horace Ové on Pressure Horace Ové on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Watch for free
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
Watch for free
Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film
Inside Film 2024 17 mins
Actor Herbert Norville discusses working with the pioneering filmmaker on his groundbreaking 1975 drama, Pressure.
Watch for free
Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective
Inside Film 2024 77 mins
An impassioned discussion on the life, work and legacy of the eminent filmmaker Horace Ové, chaired by Samira Ahmed.