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

1928 - 1932

THE LAST SILENTS ...

1928 - John E Blakeley produces his first feature film Two Little Drummer Boys, starring Wee Georgie Wood (left). Ronald Gow, writes and directs The Man Who Changed His Mind (right) filmed in Altrincham and district. (NWFA link).

1929 - The Glittering Sword is Ronald Gow's commercial feature film produced (for educational purposes) by Altrincham County High School. (NWFA link).

With the advent of sound on film through the early 1930s, Manchester film making went into decline and John E Blakeley survived this period by continuing his rental and distribution business. Gerald Somers' Lancashire Film Company folded and he and his team became freelance camera crews for national news agencies.

BIRTHS:

1928 - Actor Bernard Cribbins, OBE, born on 29 December in Oldham.
1929 - Actor Vivien Merchant born 22 July in Manchester (born Ada Thompson) (d. 3 Oct 1982).
1930 - Actor Ronald Fraser born 11 April in Ashton-under-Lyne (d. 13 March 1997).
1930 - Actor Burt Kwouk born in Manchester on 18 July.
1930 - Actor Dorothy Bromiley born 18 September in Manchester.
1931 - Screenwriter Jack Rosenthal born 8 September in Cheetham Hill, Manchester.
1932 - Actor Jack Smethurst born 9 April in Collyhurst.

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

MANCHESTER FILM HISTORY established 2011.