Ralph Staley's films date from the late 1910s to the mid 1930s, and show his family in their home town of Bognor Regis.

Ralph Staley was born in Bognor Regis and, with his wife Ellen, who was always known as Nellie, ran a drapers shop on the High Street in Bognor Regis until his retirement and the sale of the business in 1953. The business was first established by his father George Whittle Staley in the 1880s, and it expanded over a number of premises during the early part of the 20th Century.

The majority of Ralph Staley's films date from the late 1910s to the mid 1930s. Many focus on his family life in Bognor Regis, with particular emphasis on the activities of his daughter Pam. Staley also took his camera with him on family outings, recording foreign cruises and a holiday in Wales, as well as picnics in the countryside, boat trips, and outings to Surrey.

The Staley family films represent fairly early examples of home movies. Film-making equipment for 'domestic' only became available to the general public in the early 1920s. Ralph Staley’s was keen to experiment with film techniques, trying reverse action and slow motion filming as well as briefly using Dufaycolor, an early form of colour film available in the 1930s. Mr Staley's skill in handing the camera is evident in throughout the films which represent appealing examples of family life in this era.