Film Number

8364

Title

[JOHN THIS IS YOUR LIFE - 7 TO 15]

Producer

Percy Hughes

Date

1943-51

Gauge

std8mm

Colour

b/w & colour

Sound

silent

Running Time

31 mins 13 secs

Description

Compilation reel begins with John looking at all the birthday cards he received for his seventh birthday. Later, he runs and plays in a field dressed in a Native American costume and pretends to hit his mother with a tomahawk. In December, John counts down the days to Christmas Day and writes his letter to Santa Claus and puts the letter in the fireplace. On Christmas Eve, John hangs up his Christmas stocking and reminds his mother to not forget the party. Through the use of trick photography, presents, decorations and food 'magically' appear on the table. John decides it's time for him to go to bed. While he sleeps, Santa brings his toys to life. The next day, friends and family gather around the table for Christmas dinner. They light candles on a cake and John blows them out. Shots of friends and family (some wearing military uniform) drinking tea and generally fooling around. A woman and her husband (who is wearing a military uniform) pose for the camera with their young baby. John holds a calendar up to the camera, the 8th of July is marked for John's birthday. In the newspaper we see an article for the 1944 Holidays At Home. As well as a leaflet for Poole's Caucasian Circus. At the circus grounds, John goes on some of the rides such as the merry-go-round and waltzers. The film cuts to scenes of young boys playing football. The family stop at Mersey View, Frodsham to visit some friends, we see views of the helter-skelter. On Porth Wen beach they go swimming in the sea while others sit in the sun. The film cuts to a mother and her baby waiting for her child to come out of Warrington Grammar school. Back at home, family and friends sit around the table for tea and birthday cake. John can be seen blowing out the candles and cutting the cake. At an outdoor swimming pool, some adults watch as others dive from the diving board. Includes some slow motion shots of diving. Afterwards, they all enjoy a picnic together. The film ends with scenes of Grappenhall youth football team competing in the 1951 semi-final.