There’s every chance the young fellow in the cap is still with us. Any ideas? Image from ‘Hope Springs Eternal’ filmed by Edgar Pritchard and shared with the blog by Reg ‘Aer Reg’ Fullelove.
Here’s something I’ve been planning to share with you readers for a very long time, but I had to choose my moment; I needed time to prepare the video for the web and I thought this would fly best on a wet, grey Sunday evening.
Today seems perfect. Ahem. [Tips rainwater out of hat]
I present here, at the foot of this post, ‘Hope Springs Eternal’ a lighthearted 1930s film made by Brownhills chap Edgar Pritchard, brother of Sid (whose diaries, transcribed by Bill Mayo and David Evans are currently selling out their second print run at Brownhills Library – if you haven’t got your copy get in quick). It’s about eight minutes long, and tells the story of a man doing the football pools, a practice that seems to have died out since the advent of the National Lottery.
Edgar also created the 1934 Brownhills Carnival film that has proven so popular. He was clearly some photographer and filmmaker, and obviously a bit of a geek in his own time. We’d all love to know more about him.
The film is part of the wonderful tranche of material Reg ‘Aer Reg’ Fullelove has donated to the blog, and once again I thank him most profusely for his felicity, generosity and wonderful spirit. Reg, you remain an inspiration.
David Evans has spoken to Reg at some length about Hope Springs Eternal, and had this to say:
Hi Bob
This amazing silent black and white film, Hope Springs Eternal, was made by a local Brownhills man and award-winning filmmaker and photographer, Mr Edgar Pritchard, who lived with his brother Sid in their house in Brickiln Street many years ago.
He made the Brownhills Carnival film which has been featured on your blog. This film is quite amazing, and has been offered by our own Mr Reg Fullelove BEM. One of the characters in the film is Edgar’s gardener, Reg’ s father David, and we see Edgar’s own sports car, a BSA Scout. There is a shot of Great Charles Street and Ogley Road.
I am sure that your readers will identify some other shots, and a certain sporting occasion!
This film features some advanced camera techniques for the day… late 1930s, I believe.
Sadly, the vast store of still photos that Edgar Pritchard took during his lifetime seems to have been lost. This is one of three of Edgars films that are known to still be in existence.
I would like to thank our own Reg Fullelove for his part in rescuing this film, and for his kindness in offering it for your many blog readers to enjoy…We may even identify the two mani characters in this film!
Kind regards
David