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
Beauty Parade
Focused on beauty in swimwear at the Tynemouth outdoor pool in the early 1960s.
From the collection of:
Overview
In the early 1960s, with women's lib just a twinkle on the horizon, the Tynemouth lido on the rocks is the much-loved 'show pool' backdrop for a popular spectacle of style and glamour in swimwear. This colourful snapshot of the would-be winners of the Miss Tynemouth Bathing Beauty contest, eased into high heels, parading poolside, was a joint production by two Northumbrian brothers born in Blyth.
Calling themselves Frandean Productions, the brothers worked together on amateur films and home movies made between 1934 and 1967, Frank Wilson as cameraman, and Edgar Dean Wilson as editor. During World War Two Edgar was in the Royal Air Force, based in Tynemouth, installing cameras in planes. He continued in the family firm of decorative plasterers after the war. Frank was in the army, possibly involved in the D-Day landings, and then worked in his father's pharmacy in Tideswell, Derbyshire, until taking a job with the Co-operative pharmacy, Newgate Street, Newcastle.
Related
Watch for free
Lifeboat Lifeboat
Promotional 1966 18 mins Location: Bamburgh Castle
A Perkins Engines sponsored film on the development of British lifeboats and the history of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Watch for free
Tynemouth Carnival August 1930 Tynemouth Carnival August 1930
Non-Fiction 1930 10 mins Silent Location: Tynemouth
A windfall of faces and fancy dress at Tynemouth Carnival for the cameras of cinema showman Dixon Scott.
Watch for free
ACA Goes Down River for Special Launching of Tynemouth Lifeboat ACA Goes Down River for Special Launching of Tynemouth Lifeboat
Amateur film 1947 9 mins Silent Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Downriver with a movie camera for a special launch of the Tynemouth lifeboat.
Watch for free
Tynemouth and Bamburgh Tynemouth and Bamburgh
Home movie 1959 8 mins Silent Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
A farewell at Newcastle Quayside launches a salty travelogue of sorts.
Watch for free
County of Northumberland County of Northumberland
Amateur film 1963 19 mins Silent Location: Holy Island
The toe-dipping delights and tranquillity of the Northumbrian Riviera and beyond.
Watch for free
Metro: The Way Ahead Metro: The Way Ahead
Promotional 1984 27 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
The fast track to an ambitious new Metro system that ends commuter misery on Tyneside in the 80s.
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
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
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
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.