Scotland's Moving Image Archive at National Library of Scotland preserves over 100 years of Scottish filmed history reflecting 20th century social, cultural and industrial heritage. The films capture the lives of ordinary people across the generations and celebrate the achievements of Scottish based film-makers.
This film is currently unavailable
Mike Gets the Message
Mischievous Mike's dangerous bike antics on the granite streets of Old Aberdeen prompt a chain reaction involving police and a cycling proficiency test for teenage schoolboys.
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Overview
Daredevil Mike shows us how not to ride your bike in this well-crafted amateur safety film acted by schoolkids on Old Aberdeen's granite streets. The boys wreak havoc with passing pedestrians and some great 60s cars, while the girls paint colourful posters in the classroom and narrate the film. Mike eventually pedals his way to proficiency under the watchful eye of a local policeman.
A lot of thought has gone in to the planning of this amateur film by Ralph G. Giuliani. A teacher at Hazelhead Academy in Aberdeen, he was also a keen amateur cinematographer and shot a number of fictional and factual films around the Granite City. He was a member of the Aberdeen & District Cine Club, which welcomed a host of budding filmmakers. Giuliani's films were shot between 1947 and the 1960s and focus on a diverse array of subjects, from the Hazelhead Scouts to an Aberdonian motorcycle club! It looks like Guiliani may have used this film as an opportunity for a school project, with the children acting and narrating.
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