The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Here Comes the Bride
A wonderfully sophisticated take on the wedding film crafted by a Tyneside musician for his brother and a stylish bride.
From the collection of:
Overview
On Saturday 26 June 1948, the wedding of Robert Lawson and Mary Elsie Beeby takes place at St John’s Church in Hebburn on South Tyneside. The groom’s musician brother crafts a sophisticated wedding scrapbook for the happy post-war lovers, from the elegant modelling of the future bride’s trousseau to the shared romantic moments with cigarettes as man and (perfectly groomed) wife.
The filmmaker Thomas Lawson was a cinema pianist in Derby from the late 1920s, and later worked as a dance hall and concert musician on Tyneside. From an early age, he was a keen cine enthusiast, beautifully illustrated by the two wedding films he produced in the 40s. His brother’s wedding features staged sequences, elaborate dissolves and a circular narrative that emphasises the continuing tradition of marriage, despite the post-war generation’s new aspirations. The focus on fashion is a particular joy in this film, the bride favouring skirt suits and dress prints reminiscent of the “sharp, cold and bold” wartime CC41 Utility clothing designed by Norman Hartnell, Hardy Amies and other fashion experts.
Related
Watch for free
Princess Di Wedding and Winter Snow Princess Di Wedding and Winter Snow
Amateur film 1982 4 mins Location: Harrow
Everyone's home in Harrow to witness Lady Di's debut as a Royal and a record-breaking winter causes chaos in 1981.
Watch for free
The Best Man The Best Man
Comedy 1986 83 mins Location: Derry / Londonderry
The bar flies prepare for the big day with betting, boozing and banter. But will best man Billy break more than his ma’s heart before the wedding?
Watch for free
Wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten Wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten
1947 1 mins Silent
Royal nuptials at Westminster Abbey, attended by the great and good including King George VI and Winston Churchill
Watch for free
The Royal Wedding The Royal Wedding
Non-Fiction 1923 5 mins Silent
The wedding of Queen Elizabeth II's future parents, as later incarnated by Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter in 'The King's Speech'.
Watch for free
Princess Mary Wedded to Viscount Lascelles at Westminster Abbey Princess Mary Wedded to Viscount Lascelles at Westminster Abbey
Non-Fiction 1922 8 mins Silent
Newsreel of the lavish royal marriage, which was probably the biggest British newsreel story of the decade.
Watch for free
Princess Mary's Thought Princess Mary's Thought
Non-Fiction 1922 1 mins Silent
The sartorial build up to the lavish nuptials of Princess Mary and Viscount Lascelles in 1922.
Watch for free
Guinness - Shipwright Version 1 Guinness - Shipwright Version 1
Advert 1960 1 mins Location: Hebburn
Stout Geordie shipwright Martin Welsh opts for stout after work in this regional TV spot.
Watch for free
Launch of the MV Innesmoor Launch of the MV Innesmoor
Amateur film 1954 16 mins Silent Location: Hebburn
Explore the gleaming new interiors of the Tyne-built cargo ship Innesmoor.
Watch for free
Launch of M.S. Joseph R. Smallwood 11th July 1972 Launch of M.S. Joseph R. Smallwood 11th July 1972
Industry sponsored film 1972 9 mins Silent Location: Hebburn
The Swan Hunter shipyard celebrates the launch of a tanker built to serve the Come By Chance oil refinery in Newfoundland.
Watch for free
Hebburn Clegwell Boys Modern School Hebburn Clegwell Boys Modern School
Amateur film 1952 13 mins Silent Location: Hebburn
A class act on the stage as school boys in drag tackle Gilbert and Sullivan’s swashbuckling opera.
Watch for free
Opening of the St. Aloysius Infant School, Hebburn Opening of the St. Aloysius Infant School, Hebburn
Non-Fiction 1928 7 mins Silent Location: Hebburn
A vivid portrait of a tough working Tyneside community in Hebburn at the opening of a Roman Catholic infant school.
Watch for free
Northern Star Northern Star
Industry sponsored film 1963 31 mins Location: Hebburn
A spectacular send off for migrants on board the Northern Star, a new ocean liner built and launched on Tyneside.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.