The North East Film Archive is back with Middlesbrough on Film – Take 2

The North East Film Archive (NEFA) have teamed up with the Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation to bring to the Town Hall big screen another evening celebrating Middlesbrough’s rich film heritage.
Middlesbrough on Film Take 2 is a completely new screening of archive film from the NEFA collections and will be the opening event of the Discover Middlesbrough Festival 2014 on Thursday 16th October at 7pm.
The archive clips have been specially selected and curated to give a window onto Middlesbrough and Teesside of old, reflecting the town and its people from the 1930s through to the 1970s. The new screening will feature an early local Cleveland Cine Club production, 1935 Silver Jubilee celebrations, 1960s Tyne Tees News items, and a number of films exploring the local industries of Smith’s Dock and the Lackenby works of Dorman Long, plus the social activities of the ICI Billingham employees. Throw in some 1950s holidays at Redcar and Saltburn, footage of the river Tees and the iconic Transporter Bridge and its set to be another nostalgic evening at Middlesbrough Town Hall.
NEFA Manager Graham Relton said “We’d love to emulate last year’s event which packed out the Town Hall and if you came to that screening I’m pleased to say the content this time round is very different. In contrast to the river and industrial focus of the 2013 show this time we have unearthed previously unseen material that will bring to life not only the working life of the area but also reflect how people lived, went to school and spent their much earned leisure time.”
The audience will see many new unseen films including an 8mm amateur film donated to the North East Film Archive by a lady who came to the 2013 Middlesbrough on Film screening. The film, found in drawer at home, was made in 1964 by teacher training students and shows everything from dilapidated streets still supporting thriving communities to unique footage ‘over the border’ with the then recently built flats near the old town hall.
The archive have also partnered up with the Teesmouth Field Centre, who have recently donated their cine film collection. Extracts from a 1966 ‘Birds of Teesmouth’ film produced by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Film Unit, shot by local filmmaker James Monro will show the wealth of bird life and other wildlife living in close proximity to some of the largest chemical and heavy engineering industrial sites in Europe around the mouth of the River Tees.
NEFA are also delighted to present some classic Jack Clarke Tyne Tees News reports including a School Strike in May 1964 at St Anthony’s Catholic School, where pupils, led by tearaway Jimmy Dover, go on strike over harsh discipline and strict rules.
Thanks to support from Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation the North East Film Archive have digitised rare footage of Marton Hall in Stewart Park. Once a monument to Middlesbrough’s industrial revolution, the film shows the poignant footage as Marton Hall is demolished in 1960. To coincide with the screening the Marton Hall Demolition film will be available on NEFA’s website at www.northeastfilmarchive.com
Nigel Willis, managing director of Redcar’s First Choice Labels, who are patrons of the Philanthropic Foundation, said: “The North East Film Archive are bringing our history back to life through their brilliant work – and it’s fantastic that they are then sharing the footage with the public in this way.
“I’m sure I can speak for all the patrons when I say that the Foundation is proud to be involved in such a wonderful project.”
Middlesbrough on Film Take 2 takes place on Thursday 16th October at 7pm with tickets available from Middlesbrough Town Hall. £2.50 plus booking fee, to book call 01642 729 729 or visit the Middlesbrough Town Hall website
A trailer of the film can be seen on the North East Film Archive website at www.northeastfilmarchive.com/news/middlesbrough-on-film-take-2/