Improvisation on a Beat Theme

From the collection of

Archif Sgrin a Sain Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / National Library of Wales Screen and Sound Archive
Established in 2001, the National Library of Wales Screen and Sound Archive holds an unrivalled collection of films, TV and radio broadcasts, video tapes and sound recordings relating to Wales and the Welsh, from 1898 to the present day. The collection spans multiples formats and genres, both professional and amateur.

Improvisation on a Beat Theme


Cardiff's cafes and parks are the scene of a young man's pre-occupation with an elusive young woman.

Neither Cardiff's cafes and parks nor the company of friends help a young man [played by Haydn Percival] forget the young woman [Elaine Williams] he is obsessed by. This film with jazz soundtrack (recorded in one take as the musicians played live to the film) conveys the city's youth culture of the day. It was shown at Cardiff Amateur Cine Society's 13th annual film festival in 1960 and achieved a Gold Star award in Amateur Cine World's Ten Best listing of 1961.

Harley Jones (director) worked as a film editor from 1963-66 on J Grierson's weekly Scottish Television programme entitled 'This Wonderful World' (broadcast also on ITV regions e.g. Televison Wales and West). He was also the first head of Newport Film Unit at Newport College of Art and Design from 1966-82. Robin Davies Rollinson (photography) – here credited as Courtney Rollinson - worked for the BBC in production, direction and camerawork. The young woman was played by the now late Elaine Williams who appeared with the Pontcanna Children's Choir on the TWW show 'Land of Song' and went on to be a BBC radio producer (e.g. Roy Noble show). The band is the Mabon [not ‘Mabom' as credited] Abrahams Jazz Group.


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