National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales preserves and celebrates the sound and moving image heritage of Wales, making it accessible to a wide range of users for enjoyment and learning. Its film collection reflects every aspect of the nation’s social, cultural and working life across the 20th century, giving a fascinating insight into Welsh filmmaking, both amateur and professional.
This film is part of Free
Wales, Bournemouth, and Birthday Cake on the Beach
Grandpa, in smart 3-piece suit with pocket watch, celebrates his birthday on the beach, assisted by a lively grand-daughter.
From the collection of:
Overview
Beach cake! Grandpa, smartly dressed in 3-piece suit with fob watch, is assisted by two women and possibly his grand-daughter to celebrate his birthday at the seaside. A cake, with candles, is provided in a 'Crawford's Biscuits' tin. This family group are also seen visiting both waterfalls and an attractive stone bridge (believed to be in Wales), and the seaside at Bournemouth in Dorset where the weather veers from breezy sunshine to stormy.
NSSAW has no information to accompany this reel and the only possible hint as to who the footage might involve was found inscribed on the original film reel: the initials 'HIJ', perhaps those of the birthday boy? Harry Idris Jenkins? Humphrey Idwal James? Horatio Inigo Jones? It is anyone's guess but if there are viewers who are able to name HIJ – and/or the women and girl who feature – NSSAW would be very glad to hear from them.
Related
Canoeing on the Teifi at Cenarth Canoeing on the Teifi at Cenarth
Home movie 1972 4 mins Silent Location: Cenarth
Shooting rapids puts paid to one canoe!
Coracles, Jet Skis and the Girls' Friendly Society Coracles, Jet Skis and the Girls' Friendly Society
Home movie 1960 10 mins Silent Location: Cenarth
From the River Teifi and coracles at Cenarth to Fishguard and the sea around Pembrokeshire for jet-skiing, sailing and sandcastles.
Coracle Men of the Teifi Coracle Men of the Teifi
Home movie 1959 8 mins Location: Cenarth
Craftsman John Christmas Thomas demonstrates how to make a coracle step-by-step, and Cyril Jones and Will Jones instruct learners how to manage one on the water.
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.