The East Anglian Film Archive, the first and largest Regional Film Archive in England, was established in 1976. Since 1984, EAFA has been owned and operated by the University of East Anglia, Norwich (UEA), to support research and work to preserve our moving image heritage. More than 250 hours are freely available online as examples of the wide range of film which attracts interest the world over.
This film is part of Free
Southwold Holiday
Victor Harrison's 1935 family film of holidays on the Suffolk coast; Southwold, Lowestoft, The Broads, and Thorpeness.
From the collection of:
Overview
Nineteen thirties holiday film of the Harrison family at a number of Suffolk coastal holiday hotspots; including Southwold, Lowestoft, the Broads (Beccles), and Thorpeness. This reel, with scenes in both Dufaycolor and black and white, shows the family having a jolly old time bathing, picnicking at their beach hut, horse riding, and sailing. Intertitles include “Susan on the li-lo” and “tea with the mater”.
The filmmaker, Victor Harrison, stored his family films in the basement of his office, which unfortunately was flooded in a freak rainstorm, which accounts for the water damage shown at the colour sections of the film, giving an unintended psychedelic effect. Nonetheless, the reel is a wonderful record of family holiday activities in the nineteen thirties. EAFA acquired a collection of 16mm films (60 odd rolls) from John Harrison, who features frequently along with sister Susan in the family films captured by their father Victor Harrison. Many films in the collection show time spent on their yacht Elver, a familiar sight in the Blackwater throughout the 1930s.
Related
In One End In One End
Documentary 1977 28 mins Location: Southwold
Real ale and folk music in the pub – performed by Fairport Convention – are celebrated in this portrait of Southwold on the Suffolk coast and the work of the Adnams brewery.
The Holiday at Southwold The Holiday at Southwold
Amateur film 1933 26 mins Silent Location: Southwold
The Harrison family revel on the beach, sail their splendid model yachts and entertain friends at Southwold.
Rambles Around East Anglia - Part Two Rambles Around East Anglia - Part Two
Amateur film 1960 30 mins Silent Location: Aldeburgh
Amateur filmmaker captures East Anglia's coastal landmarks; incl. Thorpeness' 'House in the Clouds', Happisburgh Lighthouse, in 1959.
The Taylor Family Days Out The Taylor Family Days Out
Home movie 1959 35 mins Silent Location: Mundesley
In 1959, the extended Taylor family head to the Norfolk coast every Sunday for picnics and a lark about.
Suffolk Villages Suffolk Villages
Amateur film 1964 27 mins Silent Location: East Bergholt
Leisurely picnics and gathering lavender. Herbert Smerdon and friends tour the pretty villages in rural Suffolk circa 1964.
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.
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.
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.
Octopus Octopus
2021 13 mins
Upon returning to her home town for a funeral, a young woman reconnects with the friends she left behind.