Videoteca

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The Hand of Night 1968 star_border 5.1
A tourist travelling through Morocco discovers an ancient curse and must choose between light and dark.

The Ghost Goes Gear 1966 star_border 5
Unbeknownst to the Spencer Davis Group, their manager is upper class, grew up in a haunted manor, and is called Algernon. When they visit his home, they find out that the family is broke, they don't have the money to pay the servants, and their home is going to ruin. Spencer suggests that they advertise the home (and the ghost) and charge admission.

Death Is a Woman 1966 star_border 3.5
Narcotics agent Dennis goes undercover in the Mediterranean Islands to investigate a smuggling operation, and gains the confidence of a woman who works for the ringleader. But Dennis ends up arrested for murder when the crime boss turns up dead.

Pop Gear 1965 star_border 7.5
A compilation of proto-music videos featuring leading British rock bands of the 60s, including The Animals, The Spencer Davis Group, and Herman's Hermits.

Design for Today 1965 star_border 3.5
A musical celebration of British innovations within a typical home. Part of BFI collection "Design for Today."

Date With History: Hiroshima 1965
A reconstruction using archive film of the bombing of Hiroshima, followed by a discussion of the main issues by Ludovic Kennedy and Group-Captain Cheshire.

Stop-over Forever 1964 star_border 3.7
The flight attendant Sue Chambers becomes frightened for her life when she discovers that one of her coworkers was killed because the murderer thought he was killing her. Her fear does not prevent Sue from looking into the matter and trying to learn the killer's identity.

Royal Children 1961
Even the most devout monarchist may feel uncomfortable watching this film - hindsight makes this a rather poignant experience. Although clearly intended as a hymn to royal life, with a panting narration describing the bliss Charles, Anne and Andrew are experiencing (the film was made three years before the birth of Edward), the images tell a different story - only a couple of shots feature the children smiling, while the first glimpse of Andrew as a baby, a spotlight shining on his face as photographers snap away, is a faintly sinister symbol of the royals’ lack of privacy from birth. The knowledge that a future of divorce and tabloid scandal would tarnish these children's adult lives adds irony to this snapshot of supposed utopia.

Life of a Queen 1960
This film is a compilation of footage shot by Associated British Pathe, which covered royal events for its newsreels, and the company would have been ideally placed to use their footage to make short films for the COI. The varied life of the Queen depicted in the film encompasses duties such as making the first telephone trunk call in 1958, from Bristol.

Election in Britain 1960
The working of the British electoral and party system as illustrated in the course of a General Election.

British Sporting Personalities 1959
A docu-almanac about British sports personalities.

Girls at Sea 1958 star_border 6
When HMS Scotia pays a visit to the French Riviera, the officers throw a lavish party to celebrate the engagement of Captain Robert Randall to Jill Eaton, a charming American girl; among the guests are Mary Carlton, Jill's American friend, and Antoinette, a vivacious redhead. However, when the last shore-boat is deemed unseaworthy, the girls are obliged to spend the night on ship. A series of hilarious complications ensue, as the officers attempt to keep the girls away from the beady eyes of Admiral Hewitt – who chooses this very night to board the Scotia.

Dearth of a Salesman 1957
Comedy short starring Peter Sellers. Previously thought lost, but discovered in a skip outside Park Lane Films.

World of Brilliance 1956

Clowns Club 1955
Painter Mr Stan Bult records the face make-up of clowns on eggshells, in order to ensure every clown is distinct: to safeguard the unwritten law that clowns do not copy the make-up of another clown.

Tonight in Britain 1954
A short survey of British entertainment and London attractions photographed at Edinburgh, Stratford and in London.

A Royal Life: Mary of Teck, Queen & Mother 1953
A Royal Life: Mary of Teck, Queen & Mother

The Good Beginning 1953
After their honeymoon, Johnny Lipton and his wife Kit move into their small apartment. Kit runs the flat on a tight budget, for she hopes that one day with her support her husband will eventually run his own business. A lack of understanding of each other s character and aspirations, however, leads to many problems before Johnny and Kit are able to attempt a 'good beginning' to their marriage.

Valley of Song 1953
A little Welsh village is sundered by rival factions when a coveted contralto role in the "Messiah" is given to Mrs. Davies instead of Mrs. Lloyd. Based on a stage play "Choir Practice".

Elizabeth Is Queen 1953 star_border 7
This spectacular 1953 documentary, released in cinemas, records the events of Elizabeth II's coronation day in glorious colour.

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