Pink Shirts

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.

Pink Shirts

Archif Sgrin a Sain Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / National Library of Wales Screen and Sound Archive
Plas Newydd
1936-01-01
Silent
15m

Catapult-wielding democrats take on wader-wearing fascists in this ‘Plas Newydd' drama filmed by the Marquis of Anglesey.

A ‘Plas Newydd' drama with a (tenous) 007 connection - it was scripted by travel writer Peter Fleming, brother of James Bond creator Ian Fleming! A detective posing as a footman infiltrates the ‘Pink Shirts' (satirising Britain's Blackshirts) and plots their downfall. They must have had a ball, the family, friends and staff of the 6th Marquis of Anglesey, pretending to be fascists (waders came in useful here) or defenders of democracy armed with a catapult and drawing pins.

‘Plas Newydd's gardens and outhouses offered excellent locations for the various cinematic dramas which the Marquis, and his eldest daughter Caroline, produced over a period of years. ‘Pink Shirts' – which Peter Fleming scripted and also took part in – satirises Britain's fascist Blackshirts, a colloquial name for the stewards Oswald Mosely (founder of the New Party and the British Union of Fascists) employed to police marches and rallies. Others taking part included Angus Menzies (family friend, playing ‘The Times' reading footman), the Earl and Countess of Pembroke (i.e. Sir Reginald Herbert and his wife Beatrice Eleanor Herbert, sister of the Marquis) and sons, and the Marquis and his children.

Amateur Auteurs

Ever dreamed of shooting your own movie? These pre-digital cine-enthusiasts did - with all the passion and devotion of the true auteur.

These low- (or no-) budget creations reach beyond simple point-and-shoot, back-garden efforts towards something more ambitious and skilful, revealing their authors' passion for film and their often astonishing ingenuity with limited resources. No desktop editing software or digital special effects for these amateur auteurs. The films include fiction and documentary, competition prizewinners and private labours of love. They may be the work of cine-clubbers or individual enthusiasts. But they all show a devotion to filmmaking that far transcends hobbyism. So look out for the delightful handmade intertitles, table-top special effects and library soundtracks which decorate many of the quirky stories, ultra-local documentaries and painstakingly composed home movies featured here.