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The Mining Review Series was a monthly newsreel cine-magazine of matters of interest about the coalmining industry and its workers. Created in 1947, it was initially made by the Crown Film Unit. After six issues it transferred to Data Film Productions, where it remained until its 15th year (1961), when it was taken over by the National Coal Board Film Unit. The series ended in 1983 and a year later the unit ceased operation. This clip, taken from Mining Review 2nd Year, No. 11, follows the visit to an Edinburgh pit of the black American singer, actor and leftwing activist, Paul Robeson. Robeson was already a hero to miners following his appearance in the coalmining drama 'The Proud Valley' (Penrose Tennyson, 1940). In the colliery canteen Robeson sings "I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night" to a rapt audience of miners. Joe Hill, a poet and union organiser for the Industrial Workers of the World, was executed in 1915 after being framed on a murder charge. |
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