The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Butlins Holiday Camp Bognor Regis
Good morning campers! There's 'no leisure from pleasure' at this Bognor Regis Butlins camp in the 1960s.
From the collection of:
Overview
Campers enjoy the wacky games and parade in ladylike Miss She fashion competitions at a new holiday camp, opened at Bognor Regis in 1960 by rags-to-riches millionaire Billy Butlin. His latest technicolor playground packs in the entertainment, for children and adults alike. Families compete in a backwards 3-legged race and frantically paddle their sinking Sunday Mirror coracles in the pool, jollied along by the ever-present Redcoats.
Opened on 2nd July 1960 and boasting modern chalets on two stories, this first new post-war Butlins camp continued to provide faux luxury holidays on a budget. “Billy” Butlin, the holiday camp King, was firstly a showman, starting his career with the purchase of a hoop-la stall, but his keen business sense launched a multi-million-pound industry. Butlin was an active lobbyist for the Holidays with Pay Act (1938), his eye on the business potential rather than the social benefits for workers. As this rather wonderful amateur holiday film shows, the commercial spirit behind Butlins is alive and kicking in the 60s with cigarette advertisements on the wall and competitions sponsored by national newspapers.
Related
Southern Seaside Southern Seaside
Travelogue 1935 15 mins Silent Location: Bournemouth
Anyone for a trip to the seaside? From Bournemouth to Margate via Brighton and Folkestone – sunny delights in abundance.
What and What Not What and What Not
Amateur film 1930 12 mins Silent Location: Tangmere
Join the crowds dazzled by keep-fit frolics, a record breaking air race, a speed boat celebrity and joy-riding at an air circus in this 1931 film from the Bognor Regis Film Society.
A Family Holiday at Butlins in Bognor Regis A Family Holiday at Butlins in Bognor Regis
Amateur film 1962 4 mins Silent Location: Bognor Regis
Bognor's Butlins is the venue for this nostalgic film from the early 60s - featuring a packed swimming pool, a kiddie playground and a dance hall full of Twisters
Bognor 1954 Bognor 1954
Amateur film 1954 7 mins Silent Location: Bognor Regis
Amateur film of a family trip to Bognor, including shots of the beach and the pier.
A Seaside Girl A Seaside Girl
Comedy 1907 5 mins Silent Location: Bognor Regis
At the seaside, a young Edwardian lady is pursued by three suitors, but which one will win her hand?
Beach Cabin Beach Cabin
Amateur film 1920 1 mins Silent Location: Bognor Regis
Enjoy this candid film from Harry Guermonprez - made at Bognor Regis with beach huts and a woman in trousers who enjoys a smoke or three
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.