Spare Time

Synopsis: Showing how workers in three industries (steel, cotton and coal) spend their spare time, this film is famous as the first intimation of Humphrey Jennings’ unique style. Jennings had been involved in mass observation, a precursor to the social sciences of today, and his approach to working people differed from that of earlier British documentarists in stressing their individuality instead of presenting them as symbols of the dignity of labour. Jennings was also a painter, and his interests in surrealism is often evident in the images he chooses. In addition, his expressive use of music as an integrating device in the film anticipates the complex style of his poetic documentaries of the war. Includes shots of the Steel, Peech and Tozer Phoenix Works Band, The Manchester Victorian Carnival Band and the Handel Male Voice Choir.
Series: Britain in the Thirties
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Video; Videocassette. VHS. b&w. 14 min.
Year of production: 1939
Availability: Sale
Subjects: Sociology
Keywords: history of the 20th century; social life and customs

Director

Humphrey Jennings

Producer

Alberto Cavalcanti

Contributor

D V Knight; H E ‘Chick’ Fowle; Y Scarlett

Cast

Laurie Lee

Name: Post Office Film & Video Library
Email: poes@edist.co.uk
Phone: 01795 426465
Fax: 01795 474871
Address: c/o Post Office Education Services
PO Box 145
Sittingbourne
Kent
ME10 1NH
Notes: Contact: Barry Wiles

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