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Glamour comes to wartime Folkestone as the town hosts its first world film premiere.
Documentary 1941 6 mins
The coastal town of Folkestone was on the front line during the war, with the fear of German invasion very real. So the arrival of stars from the film Kipps, attending the first 20th Century-Fox premiere to be held outside London, brought much-needed glamour and excitement to the beleaguered residents. Actors Phyllis Calvert, Michael Redgrave and Diana Wynyard address assembled dignitaries at a formal dinner before awarding prizes at a dance.
Folkestone was selected for the honour as author H.G. Wells lived in the area from the late 1890s to 1909, having moved there to recuperate from illness. His source novel Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul was published in 1905. Carol Reed's 1941 film was the second screen adaptation following the 1921 silent version, which was set in Folkestone.
War 1939 9 mins
Summer 1939, and an ordinary family gets an alarming taste of war to come in this little-known Ealing Studios propaganda short.
Government sponsored film 1940 13 mins
The young, old and infirm are evacuated from Blitz-hit cities in this moving testament to Britain's wartime organisational prowess.
Advert 1943 2 mins
This Vim ad cleverly adopts the guise of a wartime public information filler.
Advert 1943 2 mins
Use Rinso and help defeat Hitler! Soap brand Rinso deploys some savvy wartime advertising.
Advert 1943 1 mins
"Is everybody happy? YES!" Children were both seen and heard, loudly singing along to this jolly anthem at Odeon National Cinema Clubs across Britain
1942 4 mins
An Ealing councillor fervently implores local cinemagoers to Dig for Victory!
Promotional 1969 10 mins Location: Folkestone
There's something for everyone in Folkestone as this promotional film claims - including lidos, fine dining, cliff railways and the weirdest fitness machines ever seen
1961 13 mins Location: Folkestone
Veteran tennis commentator Peter West takes us on a journey around a boarding school for disabled children.
Amateur film 1964 16 mins Silent Location: Gravesend
Wilf Green and his family enjoy a day out in Calais before returning to Deal for more sight-seeing in this delightful film from the mid-sixties
Amateur film 1985 5 mins Silent Location: Folkestone
Folkestone on foot is the subject of this quirky and mysterious film from the 1980s which hints that there is a lot more to the town than just a ferry terminal.
Non-Fiction 1904 7 mins Silent Location: Folkestone
From road sweepers to rollercoasters - all life is here in this stunning portrait of Folkestone in its Edwardian heyday.
Advert 1931 6 mins Silent Location: Folkestone
Sunshine and strolls in Folkestone, "the gem of the Kentish coast".
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: London
Capital scenes thanks to Victorian filmmakers
Non-Fiction 1897 0 mins Silent
Members of Queen Victoria's extended family being natural for the cameras
1897 0 mins
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent
Victorian pooches at play
1900 1 mins Silent
A brisk drill on a cold winter's day
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