We Will
9.5mm film Black & White Silent 1949 8:38
Summary: Film of the wedding of Avril Barbara with Peter Flook, at All Saints Church, Misterton, Doncaster, and of their new home in Croydon.
Title number: 21028
LSA ID: LSA/27591
Description: Title cards read: “Beverley Productions Presents; We Will”. Multiple shots of flowers and trees with spring bloom. A couple, Peter and Barbara, walk hand in hand through the park, they’re wearing different outfits each time we see them. As they reach a park bench the leaves have fallen from the trees. Peter sits with his arm around Barbara. He slides an engagement ring onto her finger, the couple kiss then smile to the camera.
An illustrated advert for home ownership shows a well dressed man and woman; the man is holding an umbrella with the roof of a house for a canopy. Cut to Peter and Barbara parodying the advert, Peter holding a walking stick upright in the same pose, yet to have a roof over their heads. A sign reads: ‘Houses for Sale’. The house-hunting couple are met only by ‘Sold’ signs, and look dejected until Barbara excitedly spots a sign that reads: ‘To Be Sold’.
Inside, Barbara sits at a table cutting white fabric, and sews herself a wedding dress using a hand-crank sewing machine. An older woman neatly handwrites invitations and puts them in envelopes. A title card reads: “Your company is requested at the Marriage of Avril Barbara with Peter Flook; Misterton Parish Church; 23rd. April 1949”.
All Saints Church, Misterton, Doncaster. The wedding day. Peter arrives alongside his best man, both wearing smart suits. Multiple shots of guests arriving, including a bridesmaid carrying a bouquet of flowers. Barbara arrives with her father, wearing the wedding dress she sewed. The two go into the church and the camera pans up to the stone cross above the entrance, fade to black, then the cross again, the camera pans back down and the newlyweds come out of the church arm in arm. A man with a handheld camera takes their picture. Another man adjusts a larger camera on a tripod as guests arrange themselves for group pictures. A woman throws confetti. Peter and Barbara leave the churchyard, followed by the guests.
The reception. Tables are decorated with flowers and ornaments. Peter and Barbara stand to cut the cake together. Guests chat, laugh and eat cake.
Peter follows Barbara into a ‘Standard Flying Eight’ car and the guests see them off. The car drives past the camera, followed by two similar cars.
Mr. and Mrs. Flook walk down the street arm in arm. Peter points to a sign which reads ‘Beverley’. On a gatepost is the house number, 42. Peter opens the gate and unlocks the door. The couple lean into the doorway and cheekily glance at a handwritten sign that reads: ‘Honeymoon House’. Barbara jumps into Peters arms and he carries her into the house, closing the door behind him. Fade to black.
End cards over a painting of the All Saints Church read: “The End; Production: Peter and Barbara Flook. Photography: Ambrose C. Smith.”
Credits: Smith, Ambrose. C. (Camera operator); Flook, Peter (Producer); Flook, Barbara (Producer)
Further information: Peter Flook was born in Croydon and worked as a signals and railway engineer, notably working on the first signalling scheme. Part of a collection which partially documents his life in the borough of Croydon with his wife Barbara, born in Misterton, South Yorkshire, as well as holidays and work abroad.
Locations: United Kingdom; England; Nottinghamshire; Misterton, United Kingdom; England; London; Croydon
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