United Kingdom
English
00:14:23
345 ft
16mm
B&W and Colour
Silent
"This film shows a selection of eight sequences showing events in Southend-On-Sea during 1938" (EAFA Database).
East Anglian Film Archive
"The first sequences shows HRH Princess Marina arriving by car at a hospital. The hospital looks to be under construction. HRH meets local dignitaries, including the Mayor, and staff. She is filmed holding a baby. Princess Marina inspects a parade of nurses and then leaves by car. The second sequence begins by showing a static shot of a poster requiring all residents to report to their nearest Elementary School to be fitted with gas masks. A group of residents are filmed with their gas masks outside Chalkwell School. A poster reminds people to carry their gas masks by the canister, not by the strap. The third sequence begins by showing a parked car with an ARP notice in the window. A group of men, with a mechanical digger, are filmed digging trenches, probably for air raid shelters. Many shots of the trench and the surrounding area follow. The fourth sequence shows exterior views of an ARP recruiting office. The fifth sequence shows scenes of snow-covered streets and gardens. People are seen walking in the snow and there is a snowball fight on the sea front. Snow covered boats and caravans can be seen. There are scenes of sledging on snow covered streets. Cars pass by on streets now covered in slush. The sixth sequence is the shorter of two sequences showing the Mayor's Garden Party in Priory Park, Prittlewell. Guests are greeted by the Mayor and Mayoress, Herbert Arthur Dowsett JP and Mrs Dowsett. There are general views of the event. Scene seven shows Isadora Duncan style dancing behind a lake in a formal garden. This sequence is in faded colour and may be part of the Mayor's garden party. The eighth sequence is a lengthy sequence, also in faded colour, showing further scenes of the Mayor's garden party. The final sequence shows the sea pounding against the sea wall and a beached barge" (EAFA Database).