National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales preserves and celebrates the sound and moving image heritage of Wales, making it accessible to a wide range of users for enjoyment and learning. Its film collection reflects every aspect of the nation’s social, cultural and working life across the 20th century, giving a fascinating insight into Welsh filmmaking, both amateur and professional.
This film is part of Free
Cardiff - the capital of Wales
The Holley brothers, pharmacists George and Maurice, record the city when horse-drawn vehicles were still traversing its streets and policemen helped people to cross the road.
From the collection of:
Overview
An inter-titled tribute to Cardiff, filmed by two brothers, George and Maurice Holley, both pharmacists, who moved to the city from their home-town of Pontypridd. Using the device of a motorcyclist taking a friend - William - on an extensive tour of the city, the film show its amenities and services, its industries and its opportunities for leisure. William concludes, in a note to his wife, that "This is just the place we have been looking for and we must settle down here."
Related
Family Album Family Album
Amateur film 1947 5 mins Silent Location: Cathays
When cars were not so common, roads could be used as playgrounds, particularly when snow fell, as seen here in Cardiff.
Peace comes to Rhigos Gardens Peace comes to Rhigos Gardens
Home movie 1945 4 mins Silent Location: Cathays
How best to celebrate the end of a world war?
Cardiff - the capital city Cardiff - the capital city
Promotional 1976 16 mins Location: Cathays
A clarion call to potential investors: shots of all the city has to offer are rounded off with a direct appeal to the pocket by Labour Prime Minister and Cardiff MP, James Callaghan.
Weddings - Cathedral Road Synagogue, Cardiff Weddings - Cathedral Road Synagogue, Cardiff
Amateur film 1938 9 mins Silent Location: Cathays
Summer 1938 must have been an exciting time for Marie Cohen and Nettie Morris as they planned their weddings at the synagogue on 25/8 and 6/9, and receptions at the Connaught Rooms.
Lord Mayor's Speech Lord Mayor's Speech
Non-Fiction 1943 3 mins Location: Cardiff Bay
The Lord Mayor of Cardiff speaks to camera, exhorting all good citizens to support the war-time Wings for Victory Week by saving and thereby lending money to the government.
"V.E." Celebrations "V.E." Celebrations
Amateur film 1945 11 mins Silent Location: Whitchurch
The war is over at last and Victory in Europe Day is celebrated on 8/5/1945 at the Iles home in Heathwood Road, Cardiff, and with parties in Heathway and Albert Street.
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.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.