National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales preserves and celebrates the sound and moving image heritage of Wales, making it accessible to a wide range of users for enjoyment and learning. Its film collection reflects every aspect of the nation’s social, cultural and working life across the 20th century, giving a fascinating insight into Welsh filmmaking, both amateur and professional.
This film is part of Free
Music and Magic and Movies
From music (a girl band in amazing matching outfits) to the magic (literally!) of home movies, shot by a film-maker and magician from Blaenau.
From the collection of:
Overview
Dennis Hughes, from Blaenau Ffestiniog, loved magic and home-movie-making. He combines both here (after shots of a girl band wearing striking, matching outfits) with footage of himself and a friend, Ernest Williams, enacting the learning and performance of several tricks. They would do regular magic shows for the elderly and the pair are also seen preparing to show a film to Dennis’ wife Ann and son Gwyn (daughter Linda having said her prayers and gone to bed).
The girl band was probably filmed in the ‘Caban’ (a small meeting room/hall) situated behind the Manod Hotel in Blaenau Ffestiniog. Dennis acted as the Caban’s unofficial caretaker. He worked as a quarryman until an accident ended such employment and he moved with his family to Llandudno. He made no more films.
Related
Watch for free
Local Cinema Advertisements - Blaenau Ffestiniog and Merthyr Local Cinema Advertisements - Blaenau Ffestiniog and Merthyr
Advert 1942 7 mins Silent Location: Blaenau Ffestiniog
Who could deny these advertising claims: "Attractive hair is the ambition of every woman", and "Your family will enjoy Lincoln potatoes"?
Watch for free
Local Cinema Advertisements - North Wales Local Cinema Advertisements - North Wales
Advert 1965 5 mins Location: Blaenau Ffestiniog
Trefro's Milk Bar, Ruthin, has lovable eclairs and the Taj Mahal Indian restaurants in Caernarfon and Bangor offer tables of enchantment!
Watch for free
Land of the Red Dragon Land of the Red Dragon
Advert 1968 18 mins Location: Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa
Wales: seeped in history (castles) and clothed in modernity (sports and eating out). Why go elsewhere?
Watch for free
The Roof over Your Head The Roof over Your Head
Documentary 1937 19 mins Location: Blaenau Ffestiniog
The hazardous, hair-raising journey of Welsh slate - from subterranean rock to the world’s rooftops
Watch for free
Y Chwarelwr Y Chwarelwr
Drama-documentary 1935 34 mins Location: Llechwedd Slate Caverns
Slate is the lifeblood of Blaenau Ffestiniog, but its dust can be deadly, with a painful legacy for family and society
Watch for free
The Hardings in Llandudno and North Wales The Hardings in Llandudno and North Wales
Home movie 1965 15 mins Silent Location: Llandudno
Can anywhere beat north Wales for views and thrilling modes of transport? Llandudno has an irresistable hinterland…
Watch for free
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
Watch for free
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Watch for free
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.
Watch for free
Edgar Wright on The Running Man Edgar Wright on The Running Man
Inside Film 2025 28 mins
The director talks to Mark Kermode about putting Stephen King's dystopian life-or-death gameshow thriller through its paces.
Watch for free
Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 69 mins
Richard Linklater discusses his remarkable and wide-ranging body of work, including Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague.
Watch for free
Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 73 mins
Daniel Day-Lewis, the ultimate actor’s actor discusses his career in conversation with Mark Kermode.