Detail

Collection Rosenberg Films

Summary

A collection of films made by Lewis Rosenberg in the 1930s and 1950s, capturing surfing holidays, communist youth summer schools and trips abroad along with film of the Battle of Cable Street.

Collection ID	868	Reference code	BH 060325
Title	Rosenberg Films
Dates	1930s and 1950s
Production	Lewis Rosenberg (father of depositor)
Materials	FILM 9.5mm
Access status	Copyright and access restrictions apply, contact Screen Archive South East for details

Description

Lewis Rosenberg was born in London in 1906. His parents were working class Polish Jewish immigrants who settled in London’s East End and he was the youngest of six children. He was in his twenties when he bought his first cine camera and, despite a lack of formal training, took it with him when he went on holiday with his friends. Every week they each saved 2 shillings and were thus able to afford annual camping holidays in the years running up to the Second World War. They camped in home made tents, mostly in Cornwall and Guernsey. They also made their own surf-boards and, consequently, surfing features in many of Rosenberg’s films. He also made a waterproof housing for his camera enabling him to capture some unique shots showing the surfer’s point of view. Rosenberg and his friends also attended a Communist summer school and camp in Swanage along with holidays organised by Socialist and Communist youth groups which attracted large numbers of supporters amongst the Jewish community in London's East End. The collection also features a trip to Catalonia, Northern France and film captured at the Battle of Cable Street in the 1930s.

Films in this collection:

Showing 10 results.

Guernsey Again; Trying Our Hand at Farming

Date	[ca. 1930s]	ID	6217

This film from Lewis Rosenberg shows holiday scenes on Guernsey during the late 1930s, starting with the friends helping out on a farm, playing on the beach and competing with each other at various sports. When the holiday ends the group takes the ferry back to the mainland.

[Beach Scenes]

Date	[ca. 1930s]	ID	6219

Lewis Rosenberg's film shows a group of adults and around a dozen young girls at a campsite in Cornwall. The film captures relaxed moments at the camp; surfers bodyboarding; and rural farming scenes.

[The Big House; Camp]

Date	[ca. 1930s]	ID	6220

Group of Jewish delegates attend a summer school at Oldfeld School (since re-named Harrow House), Swanage

[Dinard]

Date	[ca. 1930s]	ID	6222

A group of Jewish friends visit Dinard and Mont St. Michel in Brittany. They play and dance on the beach and climb rocky coastal paths.

[The Big Board at Newquay]

Date	[ca. 1930s]	ID	6223

This film shows a group of Jewish friends on a camping and surfing holiday in Newquay. The group film themselves at the campsite, surfing, horse riding and playing at the beach.

[Surfing Scenes]

Date	[ca. 1930s]	ID	6224

A group of men go on a camping holiday in Guernsey, taking their bodyboards to the beach to catch waves, along with sightseeing on Guernsey and Sark.

[Cornwall]

Date	[ca. 1930s]	ID	6225

A group of friends enjoy a holiday around Newquay, Cornwall, playing games, tennis and horse-riding.

Camping in Guernsey 1932

Date	1932 - 1934	ID	6221

A group of young friends go on a camping holiday on Guernsey. They take a train, ship and a flight in a small plane. The group of men set up camp and go surfing in a small cove.

[The Battle of Cable Street]

Date	1936	ID	6226

Amateur film by Lewis Rosenberg showing large crowds during the clash of demonstrators and protesters amid a heavy police presence in Cable Street, London. The film then shows Besque refugee children at a fund raising event, and young communists at a summer camp in Kent.

[Holiday in Catalonia and beach scenes]

Date	[ca. 1950s]	ID	6218

A group of holidaymakers visit Spain and film a bull run. At a beach, a group of men go skinny dipping and play on the beach in the nude. A woman leaves hospital with her new born baby. Returning to Barcelona and Catalonia there are extended scenes of a bull fight and scenes filmed on holiday around Spain.

Showing 10 results.