Waverley Steps

Synopsis

An unusual official film, made with the co-operation of the people of Edinburgh, with something of the feel of the old German films of the twenties. It captures the bold outlines of the grey-stoned city and the strong lights and shadows of its back streets. The film is built around half a dozen minor incidents: a Danish sailor visits the Castle, and then has too much to drink in one of the dingier local pubs; a railway fireman has a night off; a coalman has his horses shoed and lays a bet at a street corner; a bigamist gets a three-year jail sentence. There is a sense of humanity throughout, set against a cold, hard background that seems to give the lie to Edinburgh’s intellectual reputation as ‘the Athens of the North’.

The Panamint release also includes EDINBURGH (1966), a Technicolor film by Edinburgh filmmakers Campbell Harper and directed by Henry Cooper.

Jean L. Gray’s film NORTHERN CAPITAL (1937) ventures beyond the city’s more obvious and picturesque landmarks to show ordinary people going about their daily lives in some of the poorer parts of Edinburgh. Originally silent, it is presented with music composed and performed by Graham Speedie.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. b&w. 30 min.

Year of production

1949

Availability

Sale

Notes

Archive copy at Film Images.

Subjects

Film studies; History

Keywords

documentary films; Edinburgh; local history; Scotland; Travelogue films

Credits

Director

John Eldridge

Producer

Paul Fletcher

Writer

John Summerfield

Contributor

Michael Curtis

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Format

Region 0 PAL

Price

£20.41

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

72 minutes

Year

2013

Production Company

Name

Greenpark Productions

Sponsor

Name

Central Office of Information

Phone

020 7928 2345

Fax

020 7928 5037

Address

Hercules Road
LONDON
SE1 7DU

Notes

Contact: Vince Sannessee

Name

Film Producers Guild

Name

Scottish Home Department

Distributor

Name

Panamint Cinema

Email

cinema@panamint.co.uk

Web

http://www.panamint.co.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

01505 834936

Address

Abercorn Schoolhouse
Whitequarries
Broxburn
West Lothian, Scotland
EH52 6PZ