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
Seaside Holidays
A gallivant around some English coastal resorts with a bunch of 1930s cine clubbers from the North East.
From the collection of:
Overview
Some carefree cine clubbers indulge in a spot of hedonistic fun in this gad about film of holidays at a few English seaside towns. In Saltburn the group enjoy a stroll in the Italian Gardens and football on the beach beside the iconic pier, now the most northerly in England. The resort’s Pierrot troupe, Bert Grapho’s Jovial Jollies, entertain an al fresco crowd at their pitch on the sands, with Tony Soors on piano and the four unsynchronised dancers including Jean Atkinson.
John Middleton is credited with presenting the first Pierrot troupe on the sands at Saltburn, but he soon sold out to Bert Grapho. The Jovial Jollies held their first variety show in 1899, entertaining Saltburn crowds for the next 40 years of summer seasons with a changing group of versatile performers. Jean Atkinson was with them when their final performance in September 1939 was interrupted by an air raid siren, a few days after WWII was declared. Our roving filmmaker was an early member of the Newcastle & District Amateur Cinematographers Association, first formed in 1927. We have been unable to identify some stretches of coast visited on film but believe locations may be in Southern England.
Related
Watch for free
12 June 1969: Saltburn Ha'penny Bridge 12 June 1969: Saltburn Ha'penny Bridge
News 1969 2 mins Location: Saltburn-By-The-Sea
Time takes its toll on the handsome Ha’Penny Bridge across the Skelton Beck in Saltburn-by-the-Sea.
Watch for free
Yorkshire Riviera Yorkshire Riviera
Amateur film 1958 19 mins Silent Location: Redcar
A nostalgic dip and drive around the North Yorkshire coast in the sun-kissed 50s.
Watch for free
Hidden Treasure! Hidden Treasure!
Amateur film 1954 5 mins Silent Location: Saltburn-By-The-Sea
X marks the spot! Or so Leonard thinks when his daughter discovers a pirate treasure map buried on a beach.
Watch for free
Move North Move North
Industry sponsored film 1966 20 mins Location: Middlesbrough
A serious sales pitch for the North East by a battling former Labour MP.
Watch for free
End of the Pier End of the Pier
Documentary 1986 26 mins Location: Saltburn-By-The-Sea
In the dark days of the 1980s a lyrical documentary captures the poignancy of piers and changing fortunes in Saltburn-by-the-Sea.
Watch for free
Cleveland Conservation Cleveland Conservation
Open access programme 1976 15 mins Location: Middlesbrough
A local history teacher takes full advantage of an opportunity to highlight the decline of parts of Cleveland, and present a highly engaging case for preserving its heritage.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.
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.