Archive Cine Film Collection: Volume 5 - The War Years
VHS Black & White Sound; Silent c.1941 10:23
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Summary: A compilation of amateur and professional films made during World War II.
Title number: 2775
LSA ID: LSA/3642
Description: The first film is a silent amateur record showing bomb damage, with a partly collapsed brick building and debris scattered on the street. This is followed by shots of men in khaki uniforms (possibly members of the home guard) marching in a yard. A man in a brash striped three piece suit looks at a bomb destroyed building in town (possibly his premises). Another view of a bomb site comes from a nearby upstairs window. The second film is a silent amateur record of a visit by Prime Minister Winston Churchill to Richmond Green. Crowds of people are amassed on the green, including some men in uniform. Churchill's open top car arrives led by police outriders on horseback, and followed by other vehicles. He is filmed leaving his car and walking out of shot through the crowds, immediately followed with shots of him returning to his car via the same route, the camera evidently having been turned off for the intervening period of his visit. Churchill stands in the car as it departs, holding his hat aloft to wave to the people lining the street. The third item is a professionally produced sound film, a salvage appeal in the form of a message from the Mayor of Twickenham Alderman E.C. Dwyer J.P. The mayor dressed in his official robes and chain of office sits behind a desk and reads a document calling on Borough of Twickenham residents to save metal (including iron and iron railings), paper, rags, sacking, old carpet and similar materials. The appeal was made as part of a salvage drive in September of 1941. The fourth item is another silent amateur film made partly in black and white and partly in colour. The film records part of Youth Week, an event amassing members of various youth organisations from across the borough. The Mayor, Mayoress and mace bearer are amongst those viewing the proceedings, including a march past the grandstand and a display of national costumes and flags of the allied powers. The pagoda of Kew Gardens can be made out in the background of some shots.
Further information: The silent items on the tape feature a shrill and disturbing noise. The one sound item is recorded very quietly. Caution should therefore be applied in selecting the volume level on viewing.
Keywords: Air raid damage; Second World War (1939-1945)
Locations: United Kingdom; England; London; Richmond upon Thames; Richmond
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