This film is part of Free
Wearside's Day of Rejoicing
The future George VI applies the finishing touch to the new Wearmouth Bridge
Overview
A routine public engagement for the Duke of York, but a red letter day for Wearsiders, as thousands turn out to witness the future King George VI drive home the last rivet and opens the new Wearmouth Bridge - the third construction to cross the river on the site. Though typically less comfortable at such events than his more gregarious elder brother, the Duke seems relaxed enough before Topical Budget's camera. But we have to take it on trust that the hand seen holding the riveter is his.
Not a hit with the respected architectural historian Nicholas Pevsner, the 1929 bridge is still heavily used today, and has grade II listed status.
Related
Lord Durham at Sunderland (1901) Lord Durham at Sunderland (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 3 mins Silent Location: Sunderland
Durham Light Infantry veterans collect their medals for valour in the Boer War.
The Big Country The Big Country
Promotional 1970 16 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Tuning into the biggest consumer market for television advertising in Britain with Trident TV.
Son of Plain - Advertising Man's Guide to Tyne Tees Television Son of Plain - Advertising Man's Guide to Tyne Tees Television
Promotional 1964 11 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Is comedian Clive Dunn the Don Draper of the British advertising world? Watch this imaginative Tyne Tees TV marketing film and decide.
Just Us Just Us
Home movie 1958 9 mins Silent Location: Roker
An intimate portrait of domestic life in 50s Roker featuring family, football and cricket.
Sunderland vs. Swansea Sunderland vs. Swansea
Amateur film 1962 4 mins Silent Location: Sunderland
Football teams from two working class towns face off at Sunderland’s Roker Park in the 60s.
Tommy Steele Returns to the Sunderland Empire Tommy Steele Returns to the Sunderland Empire
Magazine and Review show 1976 7 mins Location: Sunderland
Tommy Steele returns to Sunderland Empire in the 1970s and recalls his early years as Decca's dynamic new star of the rock 'n' roll era.
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.