British Pathé

The complex relationship between royal brothers Edward VIII and George VI, who were both at the heart of the infamous abdication crisis of 1936, is the subject of this excellent documentary. From British Pathé TV's Royalty Collection.

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) wins a cricket match over South Australia by 105 runs.

Various shots of the Coronation procession for King George V.

Little film showing a few tips on how to present food graciously. The famous husband and wife cooking team, Fanny and John Cradock, are showing some of the ways to serve savouries. The presentation of the food is as important as the food itself.

An account of the state visit to Britain by the President of India, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, in June 1963. In London he accompanied the Queen on a State drive, visited the Commonwealth Institute, attended a Guildhall luncheon and visited the country.

A newsreel shows General Harrington receives Ismet Pasha at Istanbul.

A documentary short celebrating the life of Louis Braille, his invention of the writing system named after him, and the legacy he has left behind.

Actuality film documenting the funeral of Queen Victoria in February 1901. The footage captures the solemn processions and ceremonies that marked the end of her long reign, offering a rare moving-image record of a major state occasion. Widely circulated internationally, the film reflects both the global reach of British newsreel subjects and the early power of cinema to record historic events.

The President had been due to visit twice before, but on both occasions the trip had to be cancelled. The first time was in 1963, the same year as the Commonwealth visit by the President of India. The second cancellation occurred in 1965 when a longstanding dispute between India and Pakistan over the sovereignty of Kashmir boiled over into full-scale war in September of that year. However, as one might expect from a film made for international diplomacy purposes no reference is made to ongoing political problems either at home or abroad. Like the Indian presidential visit of 1963, the film was for screening to domestic audiences (both in the UK and in Pakistan) whose main interest would be in the pomp and ceremony of the visit, and the reception and status afforded to the President by the Queen and royal family.

Actuality newsreel of Kaiser Wilhelm II’s visit to London during the 1910 Royal Naval & Military Tournament at Olympia. The film shows the Kaiser’s arrival and attendance at the pageant alongside British royalty, offering a contemporaneous record of imperial ceremony on the eve of the First World War.

The death of Joseph Stalin leaves the Soviet Union without a leader. Who will take control and seize power?

British Pathé bringing the news of King Alexander's death.

A little travelogue feature presenting Torbay - new resort along the 20 mile stretch of South Devon coast.

Peter Alexander, interviewed in Sydney, born and brought up as Mavis Higgins in New Zealand, speaks of his sex change from female to male. He discusses the aspects of his personality when younger which influenced his decision, his view of women in society and his plans for the future. Although Peter talks about shaving it is not clear if any medical intervention had assisted his sex change. The predominant voice in this clip is that of Alexander, dressed in jacket and tie, talking cheerily about his interest in sport, his awareness that his "male side and personality" were always dominant, his desire to marry and continue with his musical career. The story was sensationalised in the tabloid newspaper of the day "The Truth".

A documentary film showing the ruins of the town of Ypres after the famous First World War battle. Extended version of a 1916 original.

“When I was six I had a chicken that walked backward and was in the Pathé News. I was in it too with the chicken. I was just there to assist the chicken but it was the high point in my life. Everything since has been anticlimax.” ― Flannery O'Connor

Various glamorous fashions are modeled by two "friends" including hat with large feather trim.

Pathé visits the hairdressers in Wokingham, Berkshire an establishment owned by Alec Pountney

Hats are modelled, then lingerie.

How to prepare the perfect picnic for the warm days that you spent outside. Learn here how to make your side dishes look and taste amazing.