Scenes from Clacton-On-Sea Pier in 1930.
Genre:
Newsreel
The film opens with a high angle shot of a crowd on the pier waving at the camera. There is an amateur dramatic scene on the Pier. The stage is prepared and successive trios perform a short scene in which a man is embracing a woman and is discovered by her husband. A director in the background waves and offers instructions. The audience in the background varies. This was a part of a concert party act where people from the audience could act out one of the scenes from the play, with advice from a professional actor.
The following sequences all show the pier during storms. Firstly there is a brief shot of deck chairs being blown around the Pier. The paddle steamer is seen apparently departing from the end of the Pier. The next scene shows the Steamer arriving, but being unable to dock because of the rough seas. In fact, this is the same steamer. Being unable to dock the first time it had turned around and tried again, without success.
The final scenes show the sea buffeting the sea wall and breaking over the promenade. This is filmed from several different angles, including some scenes that are filmed at sea, looking back to shore. A young person is seen running away from the waves and there are one or two people walking along the promenade.
Background Information:
This film was discovered when the Palace Theatre on Marine Parade West was demolished in 1979. It is believed that this film and the Archive's film Clacton On Sea Sports Meeting: July 27th, 1929 were filmed as local newsreel items for this Cinema.
Featured Buildings:
Clacton Pier