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Hello to everyone from a new member here, and thank you for your help.
As part of a larger research and social dancing project, I am searching for the ballroom dancing films made by Josephine Bradley and Wellesley-Smith (her dancing partner and husband) for Gaumont Mirror (ca. 1927-1931). (See below postscript for references, if helpful.) They made many such films, a number of which I have identified in the Learning on Screen (The British Universities Film & Video Council) database (so I have titles and dates, etc., which I can also provide), but, alas, locating the actual films themselves has proven quite a challenge.
BFI have very limited stock of Gaumont Mirror films (as distinguished from Gaumont Graphic films and other Gaumont British newsreels, which are handled by Screenocean and thousands of which BFI stocks, Gaumont Mirror films are the much scarcer cinemagazine films), none of which seem to include the ballroom dancing films.
The experts who are advising and helping me (archivists, film historians, producers, et al.) recommended reaching out to local archives, specialist museum and archive collections, special interest collections, individuals and private collectors, and footage libraries and archives (given that sometimes footage from newsreels and cinemagazines would find their way into footage libraries -- even if not filed under Gaumont Mirror, per se, as in this case).
I would be truly grateful for any help or leads finding these films, or even any additional insight or suggestions for next steps. Perhaps other collectors with an interest in dance? Or other film collectors forums, perhaps ones especially focused on the UK, etc.? Any estate sales, archives, libraries, or collections to know about? Or any other connections or recommendations for finding these Gaumont Mirror ballroom dancing films specifically, or Gaumont Mirror films in general?
Thank you so much for your time and consideration in reading this message, and for any help and advice in this search.
Sincerely,
Justin
As mentioned, some additional details and documentation for these films:
-- In her 1947 memoirs, Dancing Through Life, on page 68, Josephine Bradley wrote that, "The Gaumont British Film Company engaged us to make all their ball-room films," when discussing her dancing partnership and marriage to Douglas Wellesley-Smith
-- On page 94, she further wrote that she "had done many films with Wellesley" (which is how he was usually called), though it is not specified if every film was with Gaumont British (there is indeed one film they guest appeared in for British Movietone -- currently the only film footage I have seen of them dancing together: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AA8GrK3fnA)
-- On page 687 of the February 1929 issue of The Dancing Times, readers are informed that "Miss Josephine Bradley and Mr. Wellesley-Smith demonstrated the valse [waltz] and foxtrot for the Gaumont Film Co. last month."
-- On page 470 of the January 1930 issue of The Dancing Times, at the conclusion of their tango article, is appended this notice to readers: "Miss Bradley and Mr. Wellesley-Smith have just completed a film of the tango for Gaumonts which will be shown shortly at all the leading cinemas."
-- On page 32 of the February 5, 1930, issue of The Bioscope, is the following review: "Another feature of the Gaumont Mirror which has enjoyed exceptional favour with the public is the occasional dance hints, ably demonstrated by Josephine Bradley and Wellesley Smith."
As part of a larger research and social dancing project, I am searching for the ballroom dancing films made by Josephine Bradley and Wellesley-Smith (her dancing partner and husband) for Gaumont Mirror (ca. 1927-1931). (See below postscript for references, if helpful.) They made many such films, a number of which I have identified in the Learning on Screen (The British Universities Film & Video Council) database (so I have titles and dates, etc., which I can also provide), but, alas, locating the actual films themselves has proven quite a challenge.
BFI have very limited stock of Gaumont Mirror films (as distinguished from Gaumont Graphic films and other Gaumont British newsreels, which are handled by Screenocean and thousands of which BFI stocks, Gaumont Mirror films are the much scarcer cinemagazine films), none of which seem to include the ballroom dancing films.
The experts who are advising and helping me (archivists, film historians, producers, et al.) recommended reaching out to local archives, specialist museum and archive collections, special interest collections, individuals and private collectors, and footage libraries and archives (given that sometimes footage from newsreels and cinemagazines would find their way into footage libraries -- even if not filed under Gaumont Mirror, per se, as in this case).
I would be truly grateful for any help or leads finding these films, or even any additional insight or suggestions for next steps. Perhaps other collectors with an interest in dance? Or other film collectors forums, perhaps ones especially focused on the UK, etc.? Any estate sales, archives, libraries, or collections to know about? Or any other connections or recommendations for finding these Gaumont Mirror ballroom dancing films specifically, or Gaumont Mirror films in general?
Thank you so much for your time and consideration in reading this message, and for any help and advice in this search.
Sincerely,
Justin
As mentioned, some additional details and documentation for these films:
-- In her 1947 memoirs, Dancing Through Life, on page 68, Josephine Bradley wrote that, "The Gaumont British Film Company engaged us to make all their ball-room films," when discussing her dancing partnership and marriage to Douglas Wellesley-Smith
-- On page 94, she further wrote that she "had done many films with Wellesley" (which is how he was usually called), though it is not specified if every film was with Gaumont British (there is indeed one film they guest appeared in for British Movietone -- currently the only film footage I have seen of them dancing together: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AA8GrK3fnA)
-- On page 687 of the February 1929 issue of The Dancing Times, readers are informed that "Miss Josephine Bradley and Mr. Wellesley-Smith demonstrated the valse [waltz] and foxtrot for the Gaumont Film Co. last month."
-- On page 470 of the January 1930 issue of The Dancing Times, at the conclusion of their tango article, is appended this notice to readers: "Miss Bradley and Mr. Wellesley-Smith have just completed a film of the tango for Gaumonts which will be shown shortly at all the leading cinemas."
-- On page 32 of the February 5, 1930, issue of The Bioscope, is the following review: "Another feature of the Gaumont Mirror which has enjoyed exceptional favour with the public is the occasional dance hints, ably demonstrated by Josephine Bradley and Wellesley Smith."
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