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
Video Player is loading.
Sam Presents Scramble and Rally
Iconic scooters and loony races at an international rally in the seaside town of Whitley Bay.
From the collection of:
Overview
From ‘The Tykes’ Vespa Club in Leeds to riders from Recklinghausen in Germany, dedicated scooter fans from around the world take a spin to Langley Park in Whitley Bay. At this international rally organised by the Lambretta Club of Northumbria, it’s a sign of the pre-feminist times that only women competitors in the obstacle race trials have to peel a potato and cast on 20 stitches of knitting in addition to testing their riding skills.
Stylish and affordable, Enrico Piaggi’s Vespa scooter – nicknamed “wasp” because of its sound and shape – was the sleek, utilitarian icon on which Audrey Hepburn rode in Roman Holiday (1953) and the paparazzi’s chase vehicle of choice in La Dolce Vita (1960). The original design was inspired by the Cushman scooter, which was used in Italy by the US during WWII, handy for both men and women to negotiate difficult terrain. After the war, Vespa clubs popped up throughout Europe, and by 1952, worldwide club membership had surpassed 50,000. In the late 1950s, a few years after this film was made, fashion-conscious Mods adopted Vespa and Lambretta scooters as a symbol of their modernity and anti-conformism.
Related
Watch for free
Presentation and Launching Ceremony of the New Whitley Lifeboat Presentation and Launching Ceremony of the New Whitley Lifeboat
Non-Fiction 1912 6 mins Silent Location: Whitley Bay
A flash mob of local swimmers crash the grand christening and launch of a new lifeboat for Whitley Bay.
Watch for free
Whitley Bay (Northumberland Coast) Whitley Bay (Northumberland Coast)
Promotional 1926 16 mins Silent Location: Whitley Bay
Pack your swimming trunks and a time machine - Whitley Bay in the 1920s is the next hot holiday destination.
Watch for free
SAM Presents "Scooter Weekend" SAM Presents "Scooter Weekend"
Amateur film 1957 12 mins Location: Whitley Bay
Fleets of Italian scooters descend on Whitley Bay for a Whitsun weekend rally and carnival parade in the pre-Mod era.
Watch for free
Holiday: Whitley Bay 1935 Holiday: Whitley Bay 1935
Amateur film 1935 11 mins Silent Location: Whitley Bay
All set for a Spanish City stroll with hordes of fun-loving holiday makers at Whitley Bay in the 1930s.
Watch for free
Whitley Bay Whitley Bay
Amateur film 1950 10 mins Silent Location: Whitley Bay
A Mecca for fun – Whitley Bay still thrills the holiday crowds in the 50s
Watch for free
Queen's Silver Jubilee, Whitley Bay Queen's Silver Jubilee, Whitley Bay
Home movie 1977 3 mins Silent Location: Whitley Bay
Children of Ocean View in Whitley Bay gather for a feast at a patriotic street party for the Queen's Silver Jubilee.
Watch for free
Wrong Bathroom Wrong Bathroom
Drama 2024 9 mins
A trans high-schooler is tempted by toxic masculinity in the boys’ bathroom.
Watch for free
We’ll Go Down in History We’ll Go Down in History
Documentary 2025 25 mins
Two years in the life of TRUK United FC, a beacon for positive change and trans inclusivity in football.
Watch for free
If I Make It To The Morning If I Make It To The Morning
Drama 2024 9 mins
A Chinese teenager dreams of living with her cool aunt in New York, until tensions boil over during a crab dinner.
Watch for free
Dragfox Dragfox
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 8 mins
A child struggling with their identity and a charismatic fox (voiced by Sir Ian McKellen) learn to embrace their differences in this heart warming stop-motion animation.
Watch for free
Wait, Wait, Now! Wait, Wait, Now!
Drama 2024 13 mins
A Maori and a Kiwi teen buddy up to raid their mum’s wardrobe and pucker their lips with red.
Watch for free
NGGAK!!! NGGAK!!!
Drama 2024 8 mins
‘I pronounce you wife and wife.’ A young couple design their perfect wedding online, but then mum dials in.