Detail
Collection Kent Publicity Films
Summary
The archive holds a range of films advertising the county of Kent and its seaside resorts, dating from the 1930s to the early 1980s.
| Collection ID | 262 | Reference code | K 950428 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Title | Kent Publicity Films | ||
| Dates | 1930s - 1980s | ||
| Production | Harold Baim (Belle of Kent) Golden Films and Travelling Films Chess Valley Films Ltd Armada Productions C.E.G.S. Production Denis Castle. Borough Councils of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate - now the Thanet District Council. | ||
| Materials | 16mm FILM | ||
| Access status | Contact Screen Archive South East for details | ||
Description
The archive holds a range of films advertising Kent and its seaside resorts of Margate, Ramsgate, and Broadstairs. Dating from the 1930s to the early 1980s, all the films follow similar formulas; advertising the good transport links to Kent; promoting the entertainment facilities to be found in the resorts; and emphasising the sunny weather to be enjoyed at the seaside. The earliest seaside publicity film in the archive, Magical Margate dates from 1925 and promotes Margate as a fashionable destination for finding entertainment such as tea dances but also emphasises the resort's health-restoring qualities.
Films in the collection from the 1950s and 60s portray the resorts as offering holiday for all the family. The films contrast the children's entertainment to be found on the beaches and at the funfair, and relaxing gardens and deckchairs for the older generation, whilst illustrating the vibrant nightlife on offer to visitors. The films suggest glamorous entertainment such as beauty contests and celebrity lead variety shows.
One of the latest films in this collection, All Go Margate from 1970, contrasts well with the way the resort is portrayed in the 1920s, offering a colourful and fast-paced portrait of the town in a television dominated era. However the film stays founded on the original promotional formula; listing the major entertainment facilities and emphasising the resort's key attraction - the golden sandy beaches.
Several of these publicity films for the Kent seaside also had versions dubbed into European languages, intended to attract foreign visitors to the resorts. However, by the mid 1970s the UK's seaside resorts were falling under increasing competition from cheaper flights from the UK to European destinations, increasing the accessibility of beach holidays abroad for British families. With this shift in popularity, and the growth in television and other advertising avenues, the seaside publicity films faded out as a tool for promoting these one time family institutions.
The films were deposited by: Margate Museum and The East Kent Maritime Trust Ltd.
Films in this collection:
Showing 10 results.
“Lest We Forget” Disabled Soldiers Day Out At Margate
| Date | 1934 | ID | 1046 |
|---|
A profesionally-made film which records a trip to Margate by disabled veterans of the First World War. The men are guests-of-honour at a lunch hosted by the town's Mayor and Mayoress at the St George's Hotel, Cliftonville. This was the inaugral outing hosted by Margate's Lest We Forget Committee.
The Church in Action in the Hop Gardens of East Kent
| Date | 1952 | ID | 1044 |
|---|
This intertitled silent film, produced by the Church of England Temperance Society, shows the society's work amongst the annual hop-picking communities of East Kent. The film highlights the day-to-day activities of the hop-pickers and the church's mission activities.
A Holiday to Jump At
| Date | 1954 | ID | 1048 |
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A publicity film promoting family-friendly holidays in Ramsgate. The film is narrated by star of children’s radio and television McDonald Hobley ‘Uncle Mac’.
At the Sign of the Ram and Gate
| Date | 1957 | ID | 1049 |
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A fictional account of a how a Fleet Street journalist was sent to the Kent Coast to convalesce and was pleasantly surprised by his experience.
The Belle of Kent
| Date | 28 July 1959 | ID | 1045 |
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A seaside publicity film advertising the attractions of the Kent resort of Margate. Narrated by Kenneth Macleod, the film promotes the seaside facilities and suggests a variety excursions that can be taken from there.
Broadstairs... Of Course!
| Date | [ca. 1965?] | ID | 1042 |
|---|
A promotional film advertising the Kent seaside resort of Broadstairs as "a place where history meets the sunny sands". Alongside the standard seaside activities, the film draws attention to the resort's unique attractions: its seven sandy bays, the town's annual Water Gala, and Dickens Festival.
A Date with the Sun
| Date | [1965] | ID | 1040 |
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A seaside publicity film advertising the attractions of the Kent resort of Margate. Narrated by Kenneth Horne, the film promotes Margate's seaside based facilities and activities.
This is Broadstairs
| Date | [1970?] | ID | 1050 |
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A seaside publicity film advertising the attractions of the Kent resort of Broadstairs. An update of the 1965 film ~"Broadstairs...Of Course!"~ the film promotes Broadstairs' main attractions of the sandy bays, leisure activities and local events including the Dickens festival, beauty contest, water gala and folk festival.
All Go Margate
| Date | 1970 | ID | 1052 |
|---|
Television personality Michael Aspel introduces this publicity film entitled 'All Go Margate', promoting Margate as a 'favourite family resort'.
Ramsgate: A Picture to Remember
| Date | 1971 | ID | 1041 |
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A publicity film for the Kent resort of Ramsgate. The film advertises Ramsgate as a popular seaside resort with a variety of activities to tempt visitors.
Showing 10 results.