BFI

Emily and I spent the evening at the BFI library in Stephen Street looking through their databases. We were discovering what material they held from the Film Studios on Wood Street.   We logged a few hundred references to Broadwest Films  in The Bioscope, Pictures and the Picturegoer and Kinematograph Weekly (for us to revisit) and viewing copies of 3 films, 2 incomplete, including 'The Snare' (1918) and 'Loudwater Mystery' (1921).  We also saw some still photographs of Violet Hopson in Rachel Low's fantastic and comprehensive The History of the British Film 1895-1929.  There were some wonderful synopses: here is one from 'Missing the Tide' (1918) " From the novel by Alfred Turner.  Wife leaves cruel husband too late, her lover has wed nurse." The film 'Under Suspicion' was "set in Russia.  An American Major fights a duel with a Russian Police chief to save the brother and husband of the Countess Nadia." Finally from 'The House Opposite' (1918) "From the play by Percival Landon.  Agent's jealous wife witnesses murder whilst visiting lover.  There are many lessons to be learnt it seems!

Violet Hopson (left) in The Ware Case, 1917

The Gentleman Rider, 1919