This documentary film made in 1955 will be of interest to some of you. It has songs by some of the people listed in the Performer List above. It also has some stepdancing Here's A Health To The Barley Mow Running time17:43 Black & White Sound 1955 Blaxhall, Suffolk http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/5 The film opens with shots of Ipswich docks and the approach to the pub. The rest of the film takes place inside the Ship Inn, Blaxhall giving a good illustration of the interior of a rural public house in the mid 1950s. There are some women present, although they don't feature in the solo singing. There are pewter tankards hanging above the bar; a man is smoking a small clay pipe and as well as singing and step dancing; some men are playing darts. The singing and dancing is the main feature of the film. During these there are frequent cut-away shots to the general pub scene. The chairman for the evening is Wicketts Richardson, who also sings `Fagan the Cobbler', whilst miming the actions. Other songs featured are; 'The Barley Mow' (Arthur Smith), 'The Nutting Girl' (Cyril Poacher) and 'Brave General Wolfe' (Bob Scarce). The melodeon players who feature are Fred Pearce and Bob Roberts. The film shows scenes of step dancing, which includes two women taking part. One of these women, in a suit and court shoes, is Lilly Durrant. She is dancing with Eli Durrant. Any relationship is not known. The film finishes with all singing 'God Save The Queen'.
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