Screen Archive South East is a public sector moving image archive serving the South East of England. The archive's collections of magic lantern slides, films, videos and associated materials capture the many varied aspects of life, work and creativity from the early days of screen history to the present day and serve as a rich and invaluable historical resource.
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Herne Bay Newsreel 1939
Frozen seas off Herne Bay are the main attraction of this fascinating film from John Clague which also stars Graham Moffatt from Oh Mr Porter
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Overview
John Clague's 1939 film begins with a regatta at Herne Bay watched by packed crowds along the sea front followed by the arrival, in a horse-drawn buggy, of film star Graham Moffatt at the town's summer fete. Outside the Kings Hall, elderly men and women chat before we see a Herne Bay sea front transformed by both war and a severe winter. People frolic in the snow while soldiers clear the streets before the film ends with amazing views of the frozen sea and ice-bound beaches.
Though still only 19 years of age when he appeared in this film by John Clague, Graham Moffatt was already a familiar face on British cinema screens – starring with the popular comedian, Will Hay, in films like 'Windbag the Sailor' and 'Oh, Mr Porter.’ Herne Bay based amateur filmmaker, John Clague, produced a series of annual newsreels showing events in the town from 1934 to 1970. Using 9.5mm film at first, he progressed to 16mm film by the 1950s and his films represent an important visual record of Herne Bay history. An architect by profession, he set up his own company in the 1930s working on a diverse range of projects including the replacement of Herne Bay's Grand Pavilion, which was destroyed by fire in 1970.
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