Detail

Collection Albany Cine Club

Summary

Films in the Albany Cine Club Collection span five decades, dating from the 1920s to the 1990s. Many of the films in the collection are sketch-based offering a comedic take on domestic relationships and working life.

Collection ID	913	Reference code	WS 060914
Title	Albany Cine Club
Dates	1960s - 1990s
Production	Albany Cine Club
Materials	FILM 16mm Super 8mm Audio Standard 8mm
Access status	Contact Screen Archive South East for details

Description

Several personal collections make up Screen Archive South East’s Albany Cine Club Collection. Previously called Albany Productions Film Unit, the club, active between around 1951 and 1995, was based in Southwick. Chairmen included Sid Mitchell and Eddie Ovenden, who has since been a member of Mid Sussex Camcorder Club and has donated over 50 films, produced during his time as a member of Albany Cine Club, to Screen Archive South East. Films in the Albany Cine Club Collection span all five decades of the club’s collaborative practice.

Many of the films in the collection are sketch-based, offering a comedic take on domestic relationships and working life. A man invites his friends round for cards and drinks when his wife has gone out in '…And the Mice will Play' (1977), another escapes out of his marital bedroom without his trousers to return to the pub in 'Where There’s a Will There’s a Way' (1976). Club members participated in Albany Trophy Inter-Club Film Competitions, presented by Haywards Heath Cine and Video Society, and Short Film Team Contests. For this reason, some items are made up of several short sketches with a single theme; such as ‘Business as Usual’, ‘The Hotel Room’, or ‘Help’.

Complex and dark narratives weave through many of the films: a palmist predicts the demise of a customer in 'Hands' (1966), a studious bookworm traps his tormentor in an impossible duel in 'The Bully and the Bookworm' (1990). Others still take local towns as their subject, such as 'Sunday Morning' (1976), which follows a group of cine club members as they tour Brighton between 7am and midday (time for a pint), or 'Shoreham Unlocked '(1993), filmed at Shoreham Harbour and airport.

The earliest film in the collection produced by Albany Cine Club members, then named Albany Productions Film Unit, is 'Local News' (1951), which includes footage of members at work and footage of Brighton, Shoreham, Hove and Southwick during events held in the year of the Festival of Britain. Earlier films belonging to club member Gilbert Denman, produced in the 1930s before the club was formed, are also part of the archive collection. Denman is named as a cameraman for 'Youth in Danger' (1950s), a morality tale for the youth of Southwick who get into trouble on their nights out in Brighton; the youth club is more fun than you think, there is tea and cake and records playing.

Further Albany Cine Club members included:
Dave Carstairs, Chris Green, Harry Greenwell, Robina Greenyer. Ronald Paxton, Geoff Wackford, Vernon Williams, Trevor Wimble and Mavis Wixler.
See also the Greenyer Family film collection CID: 273

Films in this collection:

Showing 15 results.

Yes Dear

Date	[ca. 1960s]	ID	6587

This short amateur drama tells the story of a man, who replies 'yes dear' to all his wife's demands. He is forced to take matters into his own hands when a burglar enters their house. An Albany Cine Club production, made by members in the mid 1960s.

[Hard Lines]

Date	1964	ID	6593

This silent film drama made by Albany Cine Club members that passes comment on changes to the UK railways made by Dr Richard Beeching in the 1960s. This 1964 production entitled: "Hard Lines" outlines the plan of two criminals to abduct a woman and kill her. The plan is ruined when another train line is closed and they are unable to get rid of the body.

Hands

Date	1966	ID	6601

A palmist sees disaster looming for a customer, but even an alternative turn of events ends in tragedy. An Albany Cine Club fiction film, produced in 1966, winning the Albany Shield for best theme film at the first Albany Trophy Inter-Club Film Competition. The club also won the title in 1981 and 1985.

Sleezy Sheriff

Date	1974	ID	6594

Everyone in the "Sleezy Saloon" winds up dead after a series of men try to bring in a wanted man. A western comedy by Albany Cine Club filmed in Southwick Scout Hut, produced in 1974 and directed by Sid Mitchell, the club's chairman. The film has a piano accompaniment through most of the film.

Sunday Morning

Date	18 July 1976	ID	6590

A portrait of Brighton Seafront on a Sunday morning, between 7 am when the shops are shut and the streets deserted, to midday, when the film-makers settle outside a seafront pub to have a drink. An Albany Cine Club production, filmed by members of the group on 18th July 1976.

The Old Violin

Date	1976	ID	6595

An Albany Cine Club fiction film of 1976. A man tells the story of a magic violin, which once saved a pub from a disastrous fate and still hangs on the wall in the pub, just in case the same fate should strike again.

[Brighton Carnival]

Date	1978	ID	6588

Brighton Carnival scenes filmed in 1978 by E. W. Ovenden, a member of the Albany Cine Club. Participating organisations include Co-Op, Brighton Young Conservatives, Brighton & Hove Camera Club, Brighton Insurance Social Club Smurf Section, Brighton Theatre Group, Brighton Theatrical Costumiers, and marching bands.

I.Q.

Date	1980	ID	6589

A comedy fiction film following a group of (stereotyped) residents as they gather at a bus stop in Southwick, which has been placed on a residential road by a cunning man. Produced by Albany Cine Club and featuring The Barnstormers Company, the film's dated sense of humour may be considered offensive [a section has been blurred for online].

All for a Ruby

Date	1981	ID	6591

A thief (Snider) is tricked into a cruel scheme to steal precious jewellery from an elderly woman by Mr Williams. Something goes wrong with the heist, and Snyder is caught and sent to prison. Mr Williams who has the ring, gives it to Snyders wife, with whom he is having an affair. An Albany Cine Club production from 1981.

Caught in the Act

Date	1983	ID	6596

When an old man books into a hotel and finds a door that 'should not be used', he prepares himself for a night of passion... but gets a surprise when he opens the door. An Albany Cine Club film made in 1983 at The Beach Hotel in Littlehampton and directed, written and starring Sid Mitchell, the club's chairman. [sound removed from online clip for copyright reasons]

Roundabout

Date	1984	ID	6597

A car is passed between drivers as a couple eat a three course meal at a restaurant. The car finds its way back to where they left it, but they are shocked at what they find in the back seat. A fiction film produced by Albany Cine Club in 1984.

Where There’s A Will

Date	1986	ID	6598

A drama in which a son's plot to get his hands on his father's money is foiled. The old man wises up, leaving his money to a young nurse instead. An Albany Cine Club production, filmed in Southwick by members in 1986. [This film has been made mute for online use].

The Bully and the Bookworm

Date	1990	ID	6599

A bullied man challenges his tormentor to a duel, on his own terms. A fiction film produced by Albany Cine Club members in 1990.

Shoreham Unlocked

Date	1993	ID	6592

Views of Shoreham Lady Bee Marina and Commercial Estate, beach, local pubs and Shoreham Airport, taken and edited with narrative commentary and music by members of the Albany Cine Club in 1993.

Your Very Good Health

Date	1993	ID	6600

In this Albany Cine Club drama, the Professor's plan to help a struggling snooker player does not go to plan but he clears the table anyway,

Showing 15 results.