Charles Scott amateur film maker
01 November 2011
By EAFA
Born in 1900 and living in Norwich, Charles Scott bought a cine camera in 1933 and besides filming his family and friends, he began recording the celebrations, parades and annual traditions of Norwich life in a series of amateur newsreels called ‘It Happened In Norwich’. These mirror closely the kind of stories covered by the local newspaper which supported the sense of heritage and distinct local identity; but these include local celebration of national events which were shared across the country.
After army service in India, Charles was employed for over 40 years by Jacobs biscuits as a driver and depot manager. Based in King’s Lynn during the Second World War he made a detailed film of the Home Guard. After the war he continued to capture scenes of the rapidly changing city as well as family events and holidays into the 1970s.
Charles Scott used the same camera until the film spool became obsolete in the 1980s. He chose 16mm rather than 9.5mm for its quality, and this was an expensive hobby for a family with not much money, but filming was an essential part of their family life. Charles continued his film making and took on more projects in retirement, and was delighted when his films reached a wider audience through television and the film archive. His film making began in an era before television when it was a rare experience to watch scenes of a local event captured on film. By 1946 local people were already recognising the historical value of Charles Scott’s collection and requesting film shows.
Charles in his distinctive glasses appears in front of the camera in several films, often being comical, and it is most likely that his wife Ethel was filming at the time.
His film making began in an era before television when it was a rare experience to watch scenes of a local event captured on film.
highlights
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It Happened In Norwich: 1933-1946
1933 - 1946, Norwich (Norfolk)
The first in Charles Scott’s series of local newsreels, this records Norwich before and just after the Second World War. He filmed the 1935 jubilee and 1937 coronation celebrations, as well as carnivals, official city events and ominous scenes of air raid precautions.
Cat no. 114
0:18:54
Black and White, silent
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Home Front Home Movies
1939 - 1944
In the week leading up to the German invasion of Poland, Charles Scott and his family were on holiday with their friends Mr and Mrs Barrett of Wisbech. This family film also captures their brief holidays and family gatherings during the war.
Cat no. 6200
0:12:13
Black and White, silent
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Home Guard
1940 - 1945, King's Lynn (Norfolk)
For this detailed half-hour record, Charles Scott re-enacted scenes of the radio announcement of the formation of the Local Defence Volunteers and volunteers arriving at King’s Lynn Town Hall to enlist in what would become the Home Guard. The training, parades and exercises throughout the wartime years were filmed as a permanent record.
Cat no. 419
0:31:29
Black and White, silent
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King's Lynn Town Scenes
1944, King's Lynn (Norfolk)
In scarce colour film Charles Scott records the fishing boats and scenes around the shops and streets of King’s Lynn, including the Pilot Cinema, and British and American servicemen.
Cat no. 420
0:10:33
colour, silent
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It Happened In Norwich: Operation Prefab
1947, Norwich (Norfolk)
From ‘It Happened in Norwich’ 1947 – 1949, scenes of the arrival of factory-built homes popularly known as prefabs. They were assembled in a day, providing a short term solution to the housing crisis and continued to be homes decades longer than intended.
Cat no. 118
0:01:32
Black and White, silent
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The Hollow Tooth
c. 1948
Charles joined Norwich Amateur Cine Club and even tried drama with this comedy about a man desperate with toothache putting off the inevitable visit to the dentist. Dare you watch?
Cat no. 6204
0:05:56
Black and White, silent
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Our Wedding Day
1949, Norwich (Norfolk)
A carefully composed film of a wedding in Norwich, unusually including part of the ceremony, followed by a detailed record of the reception at Brundall.
Cat no. 6203
0:12:30
Black and White, silent
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Festival of Britain and Royal Norfolk Show
1951, Norwich (Norfolk)
A colourful record of the decorations and celebrations in the city and the agricultural show in Festival Year.
Cat no. 124
0:16:48
colour, silent
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It Happened In Norwich: 1954-1973
1954 - 1973, Norwich (Norfolk)
The rebuilding of the bomb damaged city centre, crowds queuing to see Norwich City footballers during their exciting 1959 season, and more pageantry and parades.
Cat no. 6193
0:35:14
Colour and Black and White, silent
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Our City
c. 1970, Norwich (Norfolk)
Leisurely colour scenes of the 1960s and 70s capturing the look of Norwich, its architecture, streets and open spaces.
Cat no. 6185
0:35:11
colour, silent