A chronology of Manchester's Film History compiled by CP Lee. Comments and/or additional material welcome - CONTACT
(This page updated 26-Oct-2011)

1926 - 1927

SILENT MUSICALS! ...

1926 - John E Blakeley set up Song Films Ltd at 76 Victoria Street, Manchester. Ronald Gow makes People of the Axe. (NWFA link).
Screenwriter Jim Allen born 7 October, Miles Platting (died 24 June 1999).

1927 - John E produced his series of "Silent Operas" and "Song Scenas" (click for list). Audiences throughout the North of England would be enthralled while watching films of famous operas such as Carmen and La Traviata (below right) whilst listening to singers (The Four Melody Makers) who were hired to cinemas by John E to perform them in synch with the movies. (youtube link: Laughter and Tears). Ronald Gow makes People of the Lake - A Tale of the Bronze Age. (NWFA link).

As the popularity of Film grew so did the industry providing it. The average rental price for a film was 6d a foot and an average film was 60.5 feet per minute, lasting approximately three minutes. Haggar sold 480 copies of A Desperate Poaching Affray at £5-10s-0d each.

BIRTHS:
1926 - Screenwriter Jim Allen born in Miles Platting on 7 October (d. 24 Jun 1999).
1926 - Actor Frank Finlay born 6 August in Farnworth.
1926 - Actor Robert Shaw born 9 August in Westhoughton (d. 28 August 1978).

- or visit another place of interest for Manchester Film fans - www.itsahotun.com

MANCHESTER FILM HISTORY established 2011.