Set up in 1977, the North West Film Archive preserves moving images made in or about Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Cumbria and offers a variety of access services to users in the public, academic and commercial sectors.
This film is part of Free
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_480x270/public/hero-images/cee34b52c89982063082b6e33940573c.jpg?itok=zspiTfd6)
Who's Zoo at Belle Vue
Meet Larry the Llama and Joey the Boxing Chimp from Belle Vue Zoo. But what is The Clutching Hand? Find out more...
From the collection of:
![Logo for North West Film Archive](/sites/default/files/styles/association/public/association-logos/North_West_Film_Archive_2.jpg?itok=FIDZvfc4)
Overview
Beware The Clutching Hand! Discover more, and meet Larry the Llama and Joey the Boxing Chimp - just two of the assortment of animal characters featured in this entertaining colour film shot at the Belle Vue Zoological Gardens in Manchester. People and animals alike enjoy the sunshine, while children take a ride on an elephant and watch Joey the Boxing Chimp - somewhat discomfiting viewing from a modern animal welfare perspective. Still, this is a delightful record of family leisure time in austerity Britain.
Related
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/fb81355ef0cae5d07c19dfa587b8341a.jpg?itok=tovFF-ie)
Wisdom of the Wild Wisdom of the Wild
Documentary 1940 12 mins
Fun mixture of natural history and wartime public information.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/c83bf77bbdbb0f27d3d937d74560a8ac.jpg?itok=derBc-t7)
Dog Years Dog Years
Comedy 2004 4 mins
Sweet and funny short about a potty-mouthed dog who loves his owner
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/61d277f71633b6deaed45566d2acfd16.jpg?itok=xGvbGPB7)
Beetle Racing Beetle Racing
News 1959 3 mins
Six legged competitors take to the starting blocks as a Midlands pub brings the sport of beetle racing to the world.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/7ed08f15aebcf39af008055c75663676.jpg?itok=6PVHYV2z)
Alligator on Lizard Alligator on Lizard
Current affairs 1971 5 mins Location: St Keverne
Daisy the pet alligator living on the Lizard in Cornwall
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/fa2f247584e179659a7a2b1744272fd2.jpg?itok=qcyY2iHb)
Anoop and the Elephant Anoop and the Elephant
Children's 1972 52 mins Director: David Eady
Fun-packed comedy for kids, in which a boy befriends a baby elephant – then teams up with his friends to stop it being sold
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/21439665f93382bc6471c7dbc0bf0975.jpg?itok=A1Mxw8O0)
Open Your Eyes Open Your Eyes
Amateur film 1967 14 mins Location: Thompson Common
Should you look hard enough, you’ll be amazed at the antics that creatures get up to, says Dorothy Maxey, amateur filmmaker and naturalist.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_213979_01of01.jpg?itok=Nc5dFwAv)
Men of Brass Men of Brass
Amateur film 1962 8 mins Location: Guiseley
Guiseley lads bring the brass to Belle Vue Zoo’s historic competition in Manchester, 1962.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_445219_01of01.jpg?itok=SjUbdA1Z)
Divi Day; Shopping; Sports Day Divi Day; Shopping; Sports Day
Promotional 1939 10 mins Silent Location: Belle Vue
With dividends, bargains and rewards, there's something for everyone at the Manchester and Salford Co-operative Society.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/6a2fbee0d61ad3c8cdbafdee9b27e72a.jpg?itok=9gtfMR3H)
A Visit to an Art School A Visit to an Art School
Amateur film 1929 34 mins Silent Location: Manchester
What do artists do all day? Join the art students of Manchester to find out.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/d187da18e31aab13308d0347720594ef.jpg?itok=ez6ZdKfW)
Feeding Time at the Zoo Feeding Time at the Zoo
Amateur film 1957 12 mins Location: Upton Heath
Here's a good way to work up an appetite - a boy goes out and about at the zoo.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/346bd8b0ec1c5f0b39522340d7c458fa.jpg?itok=RU_7aQPm)
Where There's Brass Where There's Brass
Documentary 1969 45 mins Location: Scapegoat Hill
“If there’s music in yer, it has to come out”. But northern brass bands, as this film testifies, reveal so much more about working class life than its innate creativity.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/promo259523383.jpg?itok=fGbd0pDX)
Amy Norman Amy Norman
Home movie 1935 9 mins Silent Location: Bowdon
Meet the Powell family of Manchester and their friends.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Shoot-Your-Shot-02.jpg?itok=KREdlpBS)
Shoot Your Shot Shoot Your Shot
Drama 2022 12 mins
An emotional stand-off takes flight, as teen best friends Ronit and Brennan come to terms with navigating that fuzzy feeling in their stomachs, all whilst learning to skateboard.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Yellow-04.jpg?itok=Bt5NDkC8)
Yellow Yellow
Drama 2023 13 mins
In Taliban controlled Afghanistan, Laili walks into a Chadari store in Kabul to buy her first full body veil from a Talib shopkeeper and face a new future.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/%25E2%2580%258ELook-Like-You-02.jpeg?itok=2R3w9luT)
Look Like You Look Like You
Drama 2022 13 mins
While visiting the adoptive family of her eight-year-old biological son, Tara relays advice she gathered from growing up as a queer outcast.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/NEHEMICH-02.jpg?itok=ba9fjUy4)
Nehemich Nehemich
Drama 2023 23 mins
Banished in a dilapidated village hut during her menstruation, a young girl waits to elope with her lover.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/1717526943-default-ovp-poster-image.jpg?itok=Fk8VLsGa)
Interview with Pam Cullen Interview with Pam Cullen
Inside Film 2020 53 mins
Interview with Pam Cullen who at 97 boasts an incredible career spanning over fifty years in the Indian film industry.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/muscleqanda.jpg?itok=8sw22r7R)
Muscle - Exclusive Q&A Muscle - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 34 mins
Director Gerard Johnson talks Nia Child through the making of Muscle, an adrenalized drama that tears into the stereotypes of masculinity and male friendship.