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
Improvisation on a Beat Theme
Cardiff’s cafes and parks are the scene of a young man’s pre-occupation with an elusive young woman.
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Overview
Neither Cardiff’s cafes and parks nor the company of friends help a young man [played by Haydn Percival] forget the young woman [Elaine Williams] he is obsessed by. This film with jazz soundtrack (recorded in one take as the musicians played live to the film) conveys the city’s youth culture of the day. It was shown at Cardiff Amateur Cine Society’s 13th annual film festival in 1960 and achieved a Gold Star award in Amateur Cine World’s Ten Best listing of 1961.
Harley Jones (director) worked as a film editor from 1963-66 on J Grierson’s weekly Scottish Television programme entitled 'This Wonderful World' (broadcast also on ITV regions e.g. Televison Wales and West). He was also the first head of Newport Film Unit at Newport College of Art and Design from 1966-82. Robin Davies Rollinson (photography) – here credited as Courtney Rollinson - worked for the BBC in production, direction and camerawork. The young woman was played by the now late Elaine Williams who appeared with the Pontcanna Children’s Choir on the TWW show 'Land of Song' and went on to be a BBC radio producer (e.g. Roy Noble show). The band is the Mabon [not ‘Mabom’ as credited] Abrahams Jazz Group.
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