The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Tale of the Unexpected
An old artist discovers his animalistic instinct when he attempts a plein air sketch in Middlesbrough.
From the collection of:
Overview
A landscape artist has a brush with the wild beasts of his imagination when he picks a spot to sketch with a view of the Cleveland Hills. He turns his back on a modern 60s school in Middlesbrough (all those Mondrian squares) and looks to the natural world with an upbeat Fauvist flourish. There's a mildly unexpected twist ending to this cine club short by Betty Cook, filmed around Acklam Hall and the King's Manor and Hall Garth schools.
As President of the Cleveland Cine Club and the North East Cine Society, the amateur film-maker Betty Cook was immersed in local film production and made her own home movies from the 1960s through to the 1980s. The title of this film may be a nod to the ITV adaptations of Roald Dahl's 'Tales of the Unexpected', which aired on British television between 1979 and 1988. Betty Cook's star was Leonard Winter, a talented cine enthusiast himself, who made many 9.5mm movies between the 1930s and 70s. He moved north to Middlesbrough in the late 1940s and appeared in several Cleveland Cine Club productions, including a sinister film called The Glade (1975) also available on BFI Player.
Related
Watch for free
The Disabled and Work The Disabled and Work
Documentary 1981 32 mins Location: Middlesbrough
A film which shows the desire and dedication of those with disability to become integrated into the world of work.
Watch for free
Transporter Bridge, Town Hall and Albert Road, Acklam Hall, Cenotaph and Albert Park Transporter Bridge, Town Hall and Albert Road, Acklam Hall, Cenotaph and Albert Park
Home movie 1947 4 mins Silent Location: Acklam
The daily commotion of busy post-war Middlesbrough featuring a school with a remarkable past.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.