Mitchell & Kenyon. 541, Buxton well dressing (1904) [electronic resource] / [filmed by James Kenyon and Sagar Mitchell].

Other records:

Select one... FRANKLIN_9963115293503681 FRANKLIN_9977141045603681 FRANKLIN_9977389625203681 (currently shown)

Other Title:

Buxton well dressing
Buxton well dressing (1904)

Publication:

London, England : British Film Institute, 1904.

Format/Description:

Video
1 online resource (3 minutes) : silent

Subjects:

Well-dressing -- England -- Buxton (Derbyshire)
Dance -- England -- Buxton (Derbyshire).
Maypoles -- England -- Buxton (Derbyshire).

Form/Genre:

Actualities (Motion pictures)

Language:

Silent.

System Details:

video file

Summary:

The Buxton tradition of decorating a well or a pump dates only from 1840 and was revived in 1904, thanks in part to the efforts of showman 'President' George Kemp, who both paid for the event and filmed it. Maypole dancing, initially in front of Kemp's Cinematograph, is succeeded by shots of two wells, one lavishly decorated. Kemp himself can be glimpsed in a white jacket and shoes. President George Kemp was a colourful character, presenting freak shows and novelty acts with performing seals, tattooed ladies and midgets. He toured America and Canada, earning the title 'the Midget King' and 'President' for having exhibited before President McKinley. His travelling bioscope shows had a reputation for extravagance that is borne out by what we can see here.

Notes:

Title from resource description page (viewed July 17, 2018).

Contributor:

Kenyon, James, 1850-1925, filmmaker.
Mitchell, Sagar, 1866-1952, filmmaker.
Mitchell and Kenyon, production company.
British Film Institute, publisher.

OCLC:

881551001

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.

Online:

Connect to streaming video
http://hdl.library.upenn.edu/1017.12/1336811

Connect to streaming video
http://hdl.library.upenn.edu/1017.12/1913662

Connect to streaming video
http://hdl.library.upenn.edu/1017.12/2275175