|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
This film produced by the Gateshead Metropolitan Police promotes the Government initiative to encourage people to 'holiday at home' during the Second World War, to take pressure off the nation's rail network following preparations for the D-Day invasion. The film is unusual, for its length, the detail that it offers and for being in colour. Colour film was not generally available to the public during the war, and McHugh may have obtained it through his police connections. This exceptional piece of film provides a very atmospheric picture of a community at leisure despite the war-time restrictions. The film shows the many pursuits taking place at Saltwell Park in Gateshead including American servicemen and English women in uniform dancing on the green. The atmospheric scenes show a conspicuous lack of fighting age men apart from the American GIs and many of the women are dancing with each other. Other scenes in the film show people taking part in simple leisure activities such as a Punch and Judy show, netball, bowling matches, races and pony riding. There are a number of other films in the Northern Region Film and Television Archive that reflect wartime in the Northern region. A training film produced by the Home Guard, 'Kendal Home Guard Third Anniversary' from 1944, also provides rare colour footage, showing activities including bayonet practice, night patrols and urban fighting. |
|
