Elaine Morgan talks to David Parry-Jones

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.

Elaine Morgan talks to David Parry-Jones

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Doing it all - from TV dramas and series to science and evolutionary anthropology.

Elaine Morgan (1920 - 2013), was a Welsh playwright and television dramatist. Born in Hopkinstown and living for most of her life in Mountain Ash, she was also author of several books on evolutionary anthropology. She advocated the 'aquatic ape' hypothesis, aiming to correcting theories that she felt failed to properly address women's role in human evolution. Her 'The Descent of Woman' (1972), became an international bestseller.

Here, Morgan talks of growing up in Pontypridd, of the lives and traditional roles of women in the Valleys, and of class and her experiences at Oxford university. She describes how she began writing, progressing to many plays and series for television (including The Life and Times of David Lloyd George, BBC Wales, 1981); and talks about her science and anthropological output, citing her five major publications.


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From the collection

Our Valleys

What makes the Valleys tick? Video captures locals' voices from one Cwm to the next, revealing their hopes, concerns and unique take on life.
The famous South Wales Valleys (Y Cymoedd) stretch from Carmarthenshire in the west to Monmouthshire in the east, and have been subject to as many cliches as closed coal mines. The Valleys have contributed much to the UK's film and television history: early film pioneer William Haggar, actors Siân Phillips and Stanley Baker, and directors Karl Francis and Chris Monger, to name but a few notables - and that's in addition to the decades of classic films set against the backdrop of coal tips and terraced houses - How Green Was My Valley, The Corn is Green, The Citadel et al. Around 30% of the population of Wales lives here, and it's the stories, concerns and culture of these people that are given voice in this collection. From folk heroes to real-life role models, from searing social issues to inspiring and indomitable Valleys women, these films cut through the stereotypes and give voice to the region's more authentic and unvarnished stories.

17 videos in this collection

1

Tyrone O'Sullivan talks to David Parry-Jones

2

Simon Weston talks to David Parry-Jones

3

Time to Talk

4

Guto Nyth Brân

5

Mari Lwyd

6

Haiku Cwm Afan

7

Y Fari Lwyd, Llangynwyd

8

SOS Titanic

9

Troedrhiwgwair

10

Bitter Litter

11

Elderly Welfare Rights

12

Times Change, People Change - Aberfan Lads Group 16-19 Years

13

Why Men React the Way They Do? Will Hoover Close?

14

The Tredegar Health Tape

15

Elaine Morgan talks to David Parry-Jones

16

Max Boyce talks to David Parry-Jones

17

Looking to the Future

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