British Pathe

Colour.

Note: the soundtrack is missing. This is an alternative version of 3255.03. There was two versions of this documentary - an "Austin Version "and a "Morris Version" - not sure which is which. Some shots are shared or similar.

BREAKTHROUGH

British Motor Corporation Logo...

Colour.

Note: the soundtrack is missing. This is an alternative version of 3255.03. There was two versions of this documentary - an "Austin Version "and a "Morris Version" - not sure which is which. Some shots are shared or similar.

BREAKTHROUGH

British Motor Corporation Logo (B.M.C. BMC). Film starring Fred Emney (comedian) and Terence Alexander.

Aerial view: City of London street with buses. Our hero gets out of taxi and enters an office. WS. The office interior. He speaks to his secretary and meets with his boss. CU a brochure "The big breakthrough in suspension". I think "our hero" Terence is supposed to be a journalist covering a story about the new BMC suspension system.

The journalist speaks to a man on board a cargo ship then we see the Austin 1100 car being driven through urban streets. The driver opens the boot to reveal boxes labelled 'Fropax', he walks into a shop with Fropax signs in the window. A family are seen having a riverside picnic with the car in the background. Morris car is driven by a rather large man smoking a cigar (Fred Emney?). He is interviewed by the journalist and seems to be saying that the car is roomy enough for him. Various shots of the car being driven through London streets. Car arrives outside a London night club (Murray's Cabaret Club). Four glamourous ladies emerge from the back seat!

WS Four glamorous cabaret girls on stage in outrageous skimpy bikinis. The lead girl who has a small costume made only of flowers dances with an umbrella frame. CU the audience. Four more cabaret girls in satin 'Bunny girl'-esque costumes perform on stage. MS the theatre curtains pull back to reveal Fred Emney playing at the piano. Two girls in silver top hats and short red cloaks pose next to him on stage.

Air to air shot of small aircraft. Terence Alexander is seen inside cockpit with pilot. Air to air shot of another aircraft. A passenger inside the first plane gives the thumbs up. Not sure what is going on here.

A man leaves for work, kissing his wife and walking to his car holding a briefcase. His wife waves him off and we see him arriving at work - the Handley Page Ltd factory. Various shots of aircraft being worked on. Two men climb into an aircraft. Other men wearing strange lifejackets climb into an Austin 1100. They then drive at speed towards aircraft on the runway.

A woman is seen at home talking to Terence Alexander. Her daughter is playing the piano. Perhaps the woman is a piano teacher? Woman is then seen climbing out of an Austin 1100 - she wears a motor racing outfit and carries a crash helmet. She opens her boot - wow - fabulous set of matching luggage! She takes out a suitcase and leaves it with an older woman who is sitting in the back of a van. She then speaks to someone who is working under the bonnet of a mini. The woman gets into the mini wearing her crash helmet and drives off. Various shots of a car race. Lots of different cars but several minis.

Terence Alexander is seen talking to a sheep farmer. He has a red Austin 1100. We see him driving around the farm.

C/U of the front of a plice car. Panning shot across a line of cars (presumably all Austin 1100s) Terence Alexander interviews a policeman about the cars. Police drive an Austin 1100 on a wet road demonstrating its road holding capabilities. High angle shot of a policewoman escorting a rather glamorous woman up the steps of a courthouse.

Ambulance. A man who has had a car accident is lifted from his car on to a stretcher. A crowd of poeple look on. Terence Alexander chats to a man whilst sitting on the boot of an MG. It looks like they are at some kind of car rally. Vairous shots of cars setting off on the rally - including a lovely shiny red Austin 1100. Various shots of the race. The rally is taking place somewhere in Buckinghamshire - a sign points towards Slough, Langley and Iver (near Pathe's spiritual home of Pinewood Studios!).

High angle shot of a pub with a horse drawn cart outside. Inside the pub Terence makes a phone call to his editor. They have a conversation, Terence drinks a glass of wine. Editor makes another call.

Alpine landscape - two holidaymakers sit at an outside table at an alpine cafe. They walk towards an airport. An Austin 1100 is driven out of the nose of a British United aircraft and lowered down on a platform. The holidaymakers seen earlier get into the car.

High angle shot of holiday destination (not recognised by this cataloguer). Various shots of the car being driven around picturesque streets. Terence drives an Austin 1100 in front of a Swissair aircraft. Baggage is seen coming down a conveyor belt from the aircraft. High angle shots and travelling shots of an Austin 1100 being driven along Swiss (?) road - very scenic.

Two men chat about the Austin 1100 then one is seen driving at speed along an open road. This seems to be part one of a longer documentary. Part two is missing.