This film is part of Free
Flying the Foam and Some Fancy Diving
Innovative early 'trick' film showing the popular 'flying the foam' stunt performed on - or rather off - Brighton's West Pier.
Overview
Pier-entertainer 'Professor' Reddish was a dab hand at 'flying the foam' - a popular stunt which involved riding a bicycle down a steep ramp off the end of Brighton's West Pier. James Williamson, the most inventive of Britain's film pioneers, shoots the action from all angles - and even in reverse - maximising the sheer joy of seeing a man plunge spectacularly into the sea... only to spring back out again.
This is thought to be a reissue of an earlier film shot by Williamson in 1902.
Related
Cycling Stunt Man Cycling Stunt Man
Non-Fiction 1974 3 mins Location: Gloucester
Gloucester's answer to Evel Knievel may not be able to afford a motorbike but he won't let that deter him...
Race for the Muratti Cup at Manchester Wheelers' Annual Meet (1901) Race for the Muratti Cup at Manchester Wheelers' Annual Meet (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 15 mins Silent Location: Manchester
Exciting scenes of amateur cycling's 'Race of Champions' at Manchester's Fallowfield track.
Herne Hill - Pedals & Puddles Herne Hill - Pedals & Puddles
Non-Fiction 1927 1 mins Silent Location: Herne Hill
The adrenaline rush of a race at South London's famous velodrome at the height of a cycling boom.
Riding High Riding High
Comedy 1939 mins
The sedate peace of Victorian England is disrupted by bumbling comedian Claude Dampier and that miracle of modern transport - the penny farthing...
Woman Wheelers Woman Wheelers
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Herne Hill
Women cyclists go for gold! Singer Gracie Fields presents the grand prize at South London's premier women's cycling event.
Six Days in Romandie Six Days in Romandie
Sport 1983 31 mins
Six days of punishing wheel-to-wheel action as the TI Raleigh racing team competes against the best European squads.
Playground Express Playground Express
1955 17 mins Location: Brighton
Kids face the closure of their Brighton playground but fight back to reclaim it, with a little help from the iconic Volks Railway
Southern Seaside Southern Seaside
Travelogue 1935 15 mins Silent Location: Bournemouth
Anyone for a trip to the seaside? From Bournemouth to Margate via Brighton and Folkestone – sunny delights in abundance.
Early Fashions on Brighton Pier Early Fashions on Brighton Pier
Non-Fiction 1898 1 mins Silent Location: Brighton
An accidental fashion parade as holiday promenaders pass before the camera on Brighton Pier
A Visit to Heathrow Airport A Visit to Heathrow Airport
Amateur film 1961 5 mins Silent Location: Heathrow Airport London
At a time when flying still had a touch of glamour, Heathrow's Queens Building could provide the perfect venue for a pleasant afternoon's plane spotting
Brighton Seaside - Airshow & Silver Jubilee in Bromley Brighton Seaside - Airshow & Silver Jubilee in Bromley
Amateur film 1977 11 mins Silent Location: Brighton
Tony Mitchell captures a variety of events during Jubilee year - including day trips to Brighton and a bunting covered London as well as an accident at an airshow
Brighton & Hove Band of Hope Demonstration Brighton & Hove Band of Hope Demonstration
Non-Fiction 1913 2 mins Silent Location: Brighton
Brighton's children are recruited for the fight against the 'demon drink' in this revealing 1913 film featuring the Temperance Movement
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Horace Ové on Pressure Horace Ové on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film
Inside Film 2023 17 mins
Actor Herbert Norville discusses working with the pioneering filmmaker on his groundbreaking 1975 drama, Pressure.
Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective
Inside Film 2023 77 mins
An impassioned discussion on the life, work and legacy of the eminent filmmaker Horace Ové, chaired by Samira Ahmed.