This film is part of Free
Midland Journey
Tourist promo film extolling the delights of Birmingham and the Midlands, with a sprinkling of arch one-liners.
Overview
Majestically (and optimistically?) proclaiming in the opening credits “Distributed throughout the world” this promotional travelogue shows the sights of Birmingham and the Midlands with a sprinkling of one-liners from newsreel legend EVH Emmett. His arch commentary often takes an oblique approach to its subject and it’s unknown whether this sometimes eccentric film boosted visitor numbers to the Midlands.
This film was made for The Travel Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with a view to encouraging visitors to come to the Midlands. It was part of a series called Travelling Around - other episodes featured Ulster, the Lowlands of Scotland and London.
Related
Let's Go to Birmingham Let's Go to Birmingham
Documentary 1962 5 mins
Paddington to Birmingham in five and a half minutes! A sped up journey filmed from the front of the train.
Birmingham University Procession on Degree Day (1901) Birmingham University Procession on Degree Day (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 9 mins Silent Location: Birmingham
Female graduates and gents sporting spectacular Edwardian whiskers take part in Birmingham’s first Degree Day ceremony.
Employees Leaving Tangyes Engineering Works, Smethwick (1901) Employees Leaving Tangyes Engineering Works, Smethwick (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 3 mins Silent Location: Birmingham
Exuberant scenes of engineers and machinists at the famous Cornwall works near Birmingham.
Easter Holiday Activities Easter Holiday Activities
News 1957 6 mins Silent Location: Birmingham
Out and about across the Midlands to see what people do with their Easter Monday holiday. Spring is in the air with time for swimming, funfairs and a good honest pint.
Spaghetti Junction Story Spaghetti Junction Story
News 1972 9 mins Location: Gravelly Hill
C2963 or Gravelly Hill Interchange or Spaghetti Junction? The public's name is going to be the one that sticks as a little bit of Los Angeles arrives in Birmingham.
Birmingham Centenary Pageant 1938 Birmingham Centenary Pageant 1938
Non-Fiction 1938 7 mins Silent Location: Aston
Local news coverage of the wonderful (and very weird) parades and performances staged in Brum to celebrate 100 years since incorporation.
ECA Conference and Whipsnade Zoo ECA Conference and Whipsnade Zoo
Amateur film 1934 7 mins Silent Location: Matlock
Join Sydney Bligh and his fellow delegates as they tour Derbyshire spa towns, visit castles and cathedrals and still have time to see the animals at Whipsnade Zoo
Warwick Pageant Warwick Pageant
Non-Fiction 1906 25 mins Silent Location: Warwick
Crowds of thousands came to see a stadium-sized theatrical spectacle.
Warwick Castle and River Warwick Castle and River
Travelogue 1908 2 mins Silent Location: Warwick
A bygone Warwick with its impressive castle and idyllic River Avon shines in this charming early short.
Grand Union Canal Grand Union Canal
Documentary 1937 34 mins Silent Location: Houses of Parliament
Follow working narrow boats as they make their 60-hour trip from London to Birmingham along Britain's longest industrial waterway.
Shakespeare Land Shakespeare Land
Travelogue 1910 5 mins Silent Location: Royal Leamington Spa
Elegantly attired men and women while away a sunny afternoon on the banks of the River Avon in this idyllic Edwardian travelogue.
Fradley: Warwickshire Fradley: Warwickshire
Amateur film 1967 20 mins Silent Location: Warwick
World renowned landmarks, the country's most famous author and traditional farming culture meet in the centre of England.
If I Make It To The Morning If I Make It To The Morning
Drama 2024 9 mins
A Chinese teenager dreams of living with her cool aunt in New York, until tensions boil over during a crab dinner.
We’ll Go Down in History We’ll Go Down in History
Documentary 2025 25 mins
Two years in the life of TRUK United FC, a beacon for positive change and trans inclusivity in football.
Wrong Bathroom Wrong Bathroom
Drama 2024 9 mins
A trans high-schooler is tempted by toxic masculinity in the boys’ bathroom.
Dragfox Dragfox
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 8 mins
A child struggling with their identity and a charismatic fox (voiced by Sir Ian McKellen) learn to embrace their differences in this heart warming stop-motion animation.
Wait, Wait, Now! Wait, Wait, Now!
Drama 2024 13 mins
A Maori and a Kiwi teen buddy up to raid their mum’s wardrobe and pucker their lips with red.
NGGAK!!! NGGAK!!!
Drama 2024 8 mins
‘I pronounce you wife and wife.’ A young couple design their perfect wedding online, but then mum dials in.