British Pathe

Haslingden, Lancashire

This is a Pathe News special about the Haslingden Carnival of 9th September 1950. This was probably only shown at the local cinema. Sound not found -may have originally been mute.

Night shots of people walking through the streets holding burning branches or flares....

Haslingden, Lancashire

This is a Pathe News special about the Haslingden Carnival of 9th September 1950. This was probably only shown at the local cinema. Sound not found -may have originally been mute.

Night shots of people walking through the streets holding burning branches or flares. Various shots of people walking through Haslingden holding their flares. The flares are thrown on to a bonfire. L/S of a large bonfire. Daytime. Man mows the lawn in front of quite a large house. A man and woman come out of the house. Panning shot of the town from a high hill. Looking down on a church. Panning shot of Commercial Hotel pan across to show the village street with bunting criss crossing across. Group of people stand outside a cinema or theatre (?) which is showing "The Barclays of Broadway". It may be the cast of the musical about to launch into a number. Motorcycle precedes four uniformed police officers on horseback. They are followed by the Mayor in his car. M/S of a carriage from which step two men dressed as Elizabethans (one in drag). There is also a man dressed as a jester. They shake hands with the Mayor and drink a glass of beer. A group of people sit by a stone building and wave flags. The people in Elizabethan dress laugh and drink beer. Panning shot of people lined up to watch the carnival. They wave. M/S of the horse and cart passing the camera. High angle shot of a young girl waving a flag. Procession through the main street. Marching band play as they walk through the street. Floats move through the street. Vaious decorated floats pass the camera. Crowds of people watch the procession - some wave. The outfits include a skeleton, two men in a bull costume, men in drag, the "Haslingden Wanderers", majorettes, schoolgirls, naughty schoolboys etc. People lean out of an upstairs window to watch the parade. A group of schoolgirls sit on a float and wave at the camera. C/U of an elderly man smoking a pipe. The float with the Carnival Princesses aboard passes the camera. More shots of floats and spectators including one with a turning model of the world.

Note: according to paper records this film was shot at the request of Mr S.W. Hoyle of the Empire Cinema, Halsingden - near Rochdale, Greater Manchester. Can of cuts exists - uncatalogued.

Cataloguers Note:: Beautifuly shot and a thoroughly charming, typically English scenario.