Set up in 1977, the North West Film Archive preserves moving images made in or about Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Cumbria and offers a variety of access services to users in the public, academic and commercial sectors.
This film is part of Free
Hat from a Rabbit
How Stockport got ahead in hatting - the story of the rise and fall of a North West industry.
From the collection of:
Overview
This quirky and informative film was shot during the last days of the once-mighty Stockport hatting industry. It reveals how the town's hat manufacturers flourished in the 19th century, but then came the 20th century decline in hat wearing. This decline would lead to the end of hat making in Stockport, but here we see some of the traditional hat making processes - a fine record of a lost industry.
This film was produced by undergraduate film students at Manchester Polytechnic, now Manchester Metropolitan University.
Related
Watch for free
Glengarry Topical Film No. 18 Glengarry Topical Film No. 18
Amateur film 1934 17 mins Silent Location: Stockport
Take to the skies or take to the water: a variety of popular North West events from 1934.
Watch for free
The Manufacture of Fur Felt Hats The Manufacture of Fur Felt Hats
Documentary 1910 15 mins Silent Location: Stockport
From furry buns to natty titfers: workers at Jackson's in Stockport demonstrate traditional skills of hat making.
Watch for free
Dog Show Classes Dog Show Classes
Amateur film 1932 5 mins Silent Location: Stockport
Now don't laugh! A dog show is a serious matter for these young owners and their pets.
Watch for free
Cheshire Territorials at Abergaveny Cheshire Territorials at Abergaveny
Non-Fiction 1913 6 mins Silent Location: Stockport
A holiday of sorts for Stockport army reserves, fitting high-jinks between drills over two weeks of summer training in South Wales.
Watch for free
Workers Leaving T & W Lees of Stockport (1901) Workers Leaving T & W Lees of Stockport (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 2 mins Silent Location: Stockport
An orderly exit from one of the biggest hat factories in Edwardian Stockport.
Watch for free
Workers at India Mills, Stockport (1900) Workers at India Mills, Stockport (1900)
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Silent Location: Stockport
Spinners and weavers jostle through the exit of one of Stockport’s largest textile mills.
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.