Early Fashions on Brighton Pier
About Early Fashions on Brighton Pier
One fixed shot looks out to sea from Brighton's West Pier. Holiday crowds walk past the camera. Two children in the foreground pull faces and wave. The other walkers take no notice.
Cast & crew
More about Early Fashions on Brighton Pier
James Williamson photographed the actuality around 1898. It was long credited to George Albert Smith. Martin Sopocy later identified the two children as Williamson's sons, which is the basis for the Williamson credit. The Screen Archive South East lists it as On the West Pier. The Williamson Kinematograph Company print held by the BFI is 70 feet.
Themes
Making
Williamson set the camera in one place on the West Pier and let the crowd pass. The sons are the only people playing to the lens.
Look
James Williamson shot a single fixed view from the pier, looking out to sea, with the promenaders crossing the frame.
Preservation
The BFI holds a 70-foot Williamson Kinematograph Company print. Screenonline presents the complete film at 1 minute 16 seconds. The Screen Archive South East catalogues it as On the West Pier.
Notes
- The BFI Screenonline copy of the complete film runs 1 minute 16 seconds.
- The children gurning in front of the lens are believed to be Williamson's own sons, out with him on the pier.
- John Barnes's 1976 volume on 1898 still treated the film under the older Smith credit.
- Michael Brooke's Screenonline note says the other promenaders seem unconcerned that a camera is there.
Scenes
- Two children in the foreground gurn and wave while the rest of the pier crowd walks on.
Also available
- BFI Screenonline
