The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Moorlands
A rather different view of the world, as seen through the eyes of a poodle, as “Mimi” is taken for a walk by two ladies in their summer dresses.
From the collection of:
Overview
A lovely whimsical film made by York amateur filmmaker May Webb. This has her pet poodle “Mimi” comically narrating her view of a walk through a colourful wood accompanied by two women, Janet and Valerie, in equally colourful dresses, reflecting the fashions of 1962. Mimi has a rather different take on the walk than her minders, wanting to be let off her lead and then managing to lose the two ladies, and wistfully awaits for them to turn up.
May and her husband Frank ran a photography business in York, and the two were also keen filmmakers, and ran the York cine club, called the Apollo Film Unit. May also collaborated on two marionette animations with another York filmmaker Patrick Olsen. A poodle is the perfect choice for this film with their intelligence and highly trainable nature. However, they are also highly sociable, and they don’t like being left on their own for too long. It was filmed at Moorlands, a beautiful small woodland owned by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, and remains as it is in the film. 'The name “Mimi” may have been inspired the 1935 film of that title set in Paris, and of course poodles are closely associated with the French.
Related
Watch for free
Mingo & Jerry, Thea and Jerry Mingo & Jerry, Thea and Jerry
Home movie 1931 1 mins Silent Location: Llandegfan
Mingo, Jerry and Thea: names of the dogs or people seen? Either way, they will be connected, for sure, with Isla Johnston of Bryn Mêl, Glyngarth, Anglesey, who shot the footage.
Watch for free
Hot Dogs Hot Dogs
Documentary 1970 10 mins Location: Bingley
The quirks of a whippet race, with novices in winklepickers learning from the old hands, all fully elucidated in broad West Yorkshire dialect.
Watch for free
Firewatch Dog Firewatch Dog
Government sponsored film 1943 1 mins
An English Bull Terrier warns wartime cinema goers to put their cigarettes out with more care.
Watch for free
Pwtan the Kitten Pwtan the Kitten
Home movie 1960 2 mins Silent Location: Pwllheli
Gardener’s nightmare: a kitten at large in a flower bed!
Watch for free
Farming Scenes at Little London Farming Scenes at Little London
Amateur film 1935 12 mins Silent Location: Little London
Little disturbs the peace in Little London - despite some foxhunting, polo and the Second World War!
Watch for free
Ginger Tom Ginger Tom
Amateur film 1950 1 mins Silent Location: Winspit
Oh to be Ginger Tom the cat and while away the hours!
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.