The East Anglian Film Archive, the first and largest Regional Film Archive in England, was established in 1976. Since 1984, EAFA has been owned and operated by the University of East Anglia, Norwich (UEA), to support research and work to preserve our moving image heritage. More than 250 hours are freely available online as examples of the wide range of film which attracts interest the world over.
This film is part of Free
Pear Tree Pub - Birthday Party
A Suffolk publican's daughter is film star for a day as she celebrates a very special 6th birthday.
From the collection of:
Overview
Cyril Clements ran the Pear Tree pub in West Row, Suffolk. It was a popular village pub and also a favourite watering hole for the nearby US Air Force personnel stationed at Mildenhall. One regular, called 'Tex' was a keen cinematographer and Cyril was delighted when he offered to film his daughter Sandra's 6th Birthday Party. This film, shot in what, at the time, was rare colour footage, is a wonderful record and treasured momento of a little girl's special day.
Sandra's mother Dorothy organised this special party for her daughter and school chums and made not only the delicious spread of sandwiches and fancies but also Sandra's beautiful party frock. Colour film was at a premium during and after the war years but USAAF had access to supplies which accounts for many war time films held in the archives. The american, Tex, was clearly a talented filmmaker using 'trick' shots for the party food and extra lighting to film inside in the pub's Club Room where the party took place.
Related
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.