Music and Magic and Movies

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.

Music and Magic and Movies


From music (a girl band in amazing matching outfits) to the magic (literally!) of home movies, shot by a film-maker and magician from Blaenau.

Dennis Hughes, from Blaenau Ffestiniog, loved magic and home-movie-making. He combines both here (after shots of a girl band wearing striking, matching outfits) with footage of himself and a friend, Ernest Williams, enacting the learning and performance of several tricks. They would do regular magic shows for the elderly and the pair are also seen preparing to show a film to Dennis' wife Ann and son Gwyn (daughter Linda having said her prayers and gone to bed).

The girl band was probably filmed in the ‘Caban' (a small meeting room/hall) situated behind the Manod Hotel in Blaenau Ffestiniog. Dennis acted as the Caban's unofficial caretaker. He worked as a quarryman until an accident ended such employment and he moved with his family to Llandudno. He made no more films.


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