This film is part of Free
Shipshape
Lifeboats to the rescue at Shoreham, West Sussex.
Overview
Shoreham-by-Sea is the setting for this brisk, engaging Royal National Lifeboat Institution promo. ‘Introduced’ by an RNLI superintendent, the film explains the need for continuous maintenance of lifeboats. It includes dramatically constructed incidents using local people, lifeboat men – and boats – as the ‘actors’. The censor certificate indicates that the film, ending with a fundraising appeal, was intended for cinema distribution.
This modest but effective short was one of the last productions of Films of Fact, renowned documentary maker Paul Rotha’s production company, before going bust. It was clearly made on a low budget, particularly noticeable in the sound dubbing. But look out for some eye-opening tour-de-force camera movements. The film’s other significance is that it allowed its young director Paul Dickson to take a step towards drama-documentary, the form he would master in his outstanding short films The Undefeated (1950) and David (1951, also on BFI Player).
Related
Shoreham Harbour and the opening of George Street, Hove Shoreham Harbour and the opening of George Street, Hove
Amateur film 1962 4 mins Silent Location: Shoreham-By-Sea
Hove's newly renovated George Street is officially opened by the Queen in this short 1962 film from David A Chesterfield
Shoreham Unlocked Shoreham Unlocked
Amateur film 1993 6 mins Location: Shoreham-By-Sea
The relaxed pace of life in Shoreham-by-Sea is captured by the Albany Cine Club in this laid-back look at the Sussex port
Shoreham Peeps 1 Shoreham Peeps 1
Amateur film 1962 35 mins Location: Shoreham-By-Sea
A local epic about Shoreham-by-Sea featuring bin-men, carnivals, Morris dancers, a beauty contest and Britain's famous and favourite crooner, Frankie Vaughan.
Shoreham Peeps 3 Shoreham Peeps 3
Amateur film 1962 37 mins Location: Shoreham-By-Sea
A local epic about Shoreham-by-Sea featuring men of the Rowing Club, a Charles II look-alike, a TV appearance and a glimpse at how a local newspaper was produced.
Shoreham Peeps 2 Shoreham Peeps 2
Amateur film 1962 37 mins Location: Shoreham-By-Sea
A local epic about Shoreham-by-Sea featuring Girl Guides, a District Nurse, a Summer Fair, more Morris dancers, an airshow, a funeral and a long-haired beatnik.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.