This film is part of Free
World's Cheeriest Charity
Soccer silliness at West Ham courtesy of the 'Ancient Order of Froth Blowers' and pals - including music hall stars and the world's tallest woman.
Overview
With a host of music hall stars, the world's tallest woman and a ball the size of an elephant, this is football but not as we know it. This silly soccer match was the brainwave of bonkers charity organisation the Ancient Order of Froth Blowers (standing out from the crowd with their giant beer tankards). The Froth Blowers clearly had some clout. The line-up boasts 'The Master' of English cricket Jack Hobbs, surgeon-to-the-King Sir Alfred Fripp and famous male impersonator Hetty King among other do-gooding celebrities.
The film's title echoes the nickname of the Ancient Order of Froth Blowers - the 'Cheeriest Order in the World'. This spoof Order was a philanthropic membership club, founded by ex-soldier Bert Temple and eminent surgeon Sir Alfred Fripp, in order to raise funds (through membership fees and events like this footie match) for children's charities. The comic capers seen here - including a ladies team pushing a giant football around the muddy pitch - were ideal fodder for newsreel Topical Budget, which typically sought out high-profile sporting contests, sportswomen, charity antics and general cheeriness.
Related
George Best at 21 George Best at 21
News 1968 7 mins Location: Belfast
Flush on wages of £160 per week, George Best ponders money in the game, the pressures of fame and his footballing future.
Don of Elland Road Don of Elland Road
Documentary 1974 26 mins Location: Leeds
Don Revie sits in bed talking to the Sunday papers, barks out instructions in a game at Liverpool, calls out the bingo numbers, and Terry Yorath collects his weekly pay packet.
Derby County and Brian Clough Derby County and Brian Clough
News 1968 4 mins Location: Derby
"The way we're playing I don't want to see an awful lot of them". Typically blunt words from Brian Clough as his team prepare for a visit by Leeds United.
Saturday Fever Saturday Fever
Cinemagazine 1961 9 mins Location: Tottenham
A snapshot of Saturday afternoon football watched by thousands of adoring fans, plus contrasting scenes of Southport and Spurs players in training.
Football Football
Sport 1967 28 mins Silent
Clement Freud explores the importance of football to the people of Liverpool - be they backing Liverpool or Everton in the FA Cup.
Target - Geoff Hurst Target - Geoff Hurst
Advert 1968 1 mins
England's 1966 hat-trick hero doesn't sweat the small stuff - or at all, according to this deodorant commercial.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.