Title:CENTRAL OFFICE OF INFORMATION FILM TECHNICIANS' OUTING [Allocated Title]
Film Number:MGH 6640
Other titles:AMATEUR FILM BY CROWN FILM UNIT CAMERAMAN [Alternative Title]
Summary:Amateur film, mute and black and white, presumably shot by a member of the British Central Office of Information (successor to the wartime Ministry of Information) in the summer of 1947. It records members of the unit, including Churchill's wartime projectionist Mr Hill, on a coach outing to Brighton and visiting the Palace Pier on the seafront.
Description:The film appears slightly out of order, starting with shots presumed to be from later on in the day, as a group of men return to the bus from woodland. A well-dressed group forms beside the bus, and one man appears to be taking a photograph. The first stop is at the pub, the Black Swan in Pease Pottage on the Old Brighton Road, where a crowd of men and women are seen milling around outside in wide shot, particularly congregating around the outside hut selling teas, cigarettes and other provisions. Several individuals are then seen in mid-close up, smiling at the camera. The scene changes to an interior setting, where a group are seen at a bar, believed to be in the (old) Albemarle Hotel in Brighton. A group is then shown standing outside the doorway of the same hotel, where the menu can be seen hanging on the wall. Shots of the group leaving a seemingly different doorway, with the sign 'Saloon' just visible above. Panning shot across the seaside town, showing buildings, parked buses, crowds and the beach. A speed boat is seen from a distance, cutting through the water just coming towards the pier. Filming from the pier, a sign announces 'Palace Pier. Brighton Greets You'. Crowds are seen walking along the pier and seated on deck chairs. A man and woman, presumably from the group, are shown enjoying a bumper car ride together, smiling. Further panning shots of the pier, the seascape and the beach, with fishing boats. The group take in the view from the pier, looking down at the cameraman. A group pose in front of the bus, with the driver, as if for a photograph. A poster for Bass pale ale is shown. The last of the group boards the bus before it leaves, with some of those on board waving back at the camera. Very brief shots of the group filmed in a matter suggesting they have had to hop off the bus in order to relieve themselves (away from the camera, not seen) in woodland, presumably after a day consuming multiple cups of tea and pale ale. These latter shots seem to link with the very first shots seen.
Alternative Title:AMATEUR FILM BY CROWN FILM UNIT CAMERAMAN [Alternative Title]
