This film is part of Free
Morecambe Parade
Seaside festivities captured by one of the world’s earliest amateur filmmakers.
Overview
This record of festivities at the Lancashire resort can reasonably be described as one of the world’s earlier amateur films. It was shot by William Henry Youdale of Cockermouth, Cumberland. A draper by trade, he was also a magic lantern operator who, off his own bat, made several forays into film – the new media of its day.
The distinction, in this early period, between the films of such ‘amateurs’ and the budding ‘professional’ industry is not a hard and fast one. But this film does anticipate something of the hobby filmmaking to come in decades ahead - parades, carnivals and similar special occasions would continue to be favourite subjects for generations of amateur filmmakers.
Related
Comical Chris Comical Chris
Amateur film 1898 1 mins Silent Location: Morecambe
Victorian revelry on Morecambe Seafront.
Glengarry Topical Film No. 20 Glengarry Topical Film No. 20
Amateur film 1933 18 mins Silent Location: Winsford
Floral delights and more from around the North West.
The King's Highway The King's Highway
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Morecambe
Crowds applaud as Lord Derby opens construction on a new road to the North
West Lancashire West Lancashire
Amateur film 1930 4 mins Silent Location: Blackpool
Come rain or shine, we're off to the seaside - a trip along the Fylde Coast in all kinds of weather.
Helliwell Family Trip with Violet and Jack Helliwell Family Trip with Violet and Jack
Amateur film 1964 21 mins Silent Location: Heysham
Colourful amateur film showing family outings around Lancashire and a trip to Southampton to meet travellers from America
West End Pier, Morecambe West End Pier, Morecambe
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: Morecambe
A stunning seaside snapshot of Edwardian high-fashion on Morecambe's West End Pier.
Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
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
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.