Screen Archive South East is a public sector moving image archive serving the South East of England. The archive's collections of magic lantern slides, films, videos and associated materials capture the many varied aspects of life, work and creativity from the early days of screen history to the present day and serve as a rich and invaluable historical resource.
This film is part of Free
Uncle Mack’s Minstrel Seaside Show
A seaside rarity captured by Enid Briggs in the late 1920s - featuring singing and dancing minstrels in 'blackface' make-up
From the collection of:
Overview
Enid Briggs' film captures an aspect of Bygone Britain that was once a regular feature of the seaside scene of the time. On an outdoor stage a troupe of minstrels perform their act while wearing 'blackface' make-up and Pierrot costumes. They sing and dance - individually and together while musicians play in the background. The audience watches the show sitting in deckchairs while the troupe also perform a sequence in drag - though retaining the 'blackface' make-up.
Enid Briggs filmed scenes in the area of North Foreland and Broadstairs in the 1920s and 1930s. These films are of particular interest because they were made from a woman's visual perspective. Born to a wealthy Leeds family in 1898, Enid moved with her mother and sister, to a cliff-top home in Broadstairs in 1929. It was there that she took up the relatively expensive hobby of film-making. She filmed family activities, outings and local events as well as scenes recording seaside performers like Uncle Mack’s Minstrels. Enid died in 1973 and her surviving films are now held in the Screen Archive South East collection.
Related
Watch for free
Southern Seaside Southern Seaside
Travelogue 1935 15 mins Silent Location: Bournemouth
Anyone for a trip to the seaside? From Bournemouth to Margate via Brighton and Folkestone – sunny delights in abundance.
Watch for free
Main Bay Main Bay
Amateur film 1937 11 mins Silent Location: Broadstairs
Enjoy this cavalcade of events on Broadstairs' Main Bay in Enid Briggs' marvellous home-movie from the 1930s
Watch for free
Brett family's trip to Broadstairs Brett family's trip to Broadstairs
Amateur film 1930 18 mins Silent Location: Broadstairs
Join the Brett family as they spend a day on the beach at the genteel resort of Broadstairs - with chalk cliffs, crowded beaches and a birthday
Watch for free
Broadstairs and Margate Items Broadstairs and Margate Items
Amateur film 1930 22 mins Silent Location: Broadstairs
The Thanet coast features in this film by Enid Briggs - a woman filmmaker of the 1920s and 1930s - featuring boat rides, horses and family outings.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
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.