British Pathe

Mute cuts (rushes, out-takes) for a story that is currently missing (CHANNEL SWIM, CP 249). According to the paperwork this story is about the 'Butlin's Cross Channel Swimming Race': 33 men and 5 women compete for cash prizes and the Butlin Challenge Trophy. The swimmers train at the Queen's Hotel,...

Mute cuts (rushes, out-takes) for a story that is currently missing (CHANNEL SWIM, CP 249). According to the paperwork this story is about the 'Butlin's Cross Channel Swimming Race': 33 men and 5 women compete for cash prizes and the Butlin Challenge Trophy. The swimmers train at the Queen's Hotel, Margate. The race starts at Cape Griz Nez, France and finishes at Dover, Kent.

Very brief C/U of a man in a white swimming cap standing next to a swimming pool - possibly at the Queen's Hotel - signing an autograph for two young men. Low angle shot of the glass roof of the indoor pool covered with hanging vines and a fake parrot, tilt down to swimmers doing lengths. Brief M/S of a man in trunks doing a handstand at the pool side. M/S of the man signing his autograph. M/S of the pool as a swimmer reaches the side, a crowd of spectators stand at one end. Various shots of spectators watching from deck chairs. Various shots of swimmers in the pool. M/S of a man swimming with a float. Underwater shot of the man with a float swimming. Various underwater shots of people swimming. Various shots of a woman in a red swimsuit - probably Greta Anderson - exercising beside the pool.

M/S of the same woman standing with a man (her husband?) on a beach - in the background are holidaymakers on deck chairs and beach huts. C/U of the woman putting her goggles on. M/S of the man rubbing the woman's shoulders. M/S, taken from the beach, of the woman waving to camera as she walks past tourists paddling, into the sea. M/S of a man in trunks - possibly Dogan Sahin - limbering up beside an outdoor pool. Low angle C/U of the man stretching. M/S of another man standing next to the pool looking at a watch held in his hand. M/S of a helicopter flying. C/U of the tail blades of the helicopter whirring, in the background is a crowd of people and a tower block. Various M/Ss of the helicopter taking off. Aerial shot from inside the helicopter as it takes off. In the distance are chalk cliffs and (possibly) Dover castle. C/U of the pilot's hand on the helicopter controls. C/U of the pilot's face.


The location changes to the windy beach at Cape Griz Nez at 1.45 am. M/S of a bare-chested man. M/S of a woman in a fur lined hood, a man with a pencil moustache and another man in shades sheltering from the wind. Very dim M/S of spectators, including two little girls. M/S of a man in a sailor's hat taking something from a male competitor's mouth. Various shots of a bulky male competitor rubbing himself in fat. M/S of spectators paddling. Various shots of a man in a white boiler suit that is embroidered with the letter 'B' - probably Billy Butlin, the official race starter - wading into the sea. A panning shot follows a grease covered female competitor as she walks away from the spectators on the beach and into the breaking waves. Various shot of the woman in the red swimsuit laughing as she tucks her hair into her cap. M/S of Butlin holding the starting pistol and two competitors wading through the breakers. Various shots that are too dark to make out.

L/S of an airborne helicopter. L/S of a white boat sailing past white cliffs. L/S of a rowing boat beside which a competitor swims. Closer L/S of the swimmer swimming between the two boats. Aerial shot from the helicopter of a ship sailing past the cliffs. Various shots of the boats and the swimmers. Top shot of a female swimmer ploughing through the waves. Top shot of a fishing boat. Various panning shots of boats, sea and swimmers. M/S of a swimmer swimming next to a rowing boat - he waves at the camera. Various shots, getting progressively closer, of a competitor swimming next to the fishing boat. M/S of two competitors swimming next to the fishing boat. Low angle M/S of a helicopter. Low angle M/S of a Butlin's helicopter, the passenger - Billy Butlin - waves. Various M/Ss of people waving from the white boat which is moored near to docks. Very brief shot of swimmers reaching the shore. C/U of a male competitor - possibly the winner, Alfredo Camerero - being supported by another man as he comes ashore. Alfredo waves in victory. Various shots of Alfredo having his hands shaken and his back patted by a group of men and boys. C/U of Alfredo's face. M/S of a male competitor - possibly Alfredo again - walking ashore surrounded by a group of supporters.