This film, made by G. Trafford Drayton of the Tower Cinema in York, documents Justice Talbot’s journey from the Judge’s Lodgings in Lendal to the Assize Court next to Clifford’s Tower.  The film includes rare footage of the towering Victorian Prison walls which surrounded Clifford’s Tower, prison, and court until they were demolished in 1934/5.  Due to technical issues when originally made, the action in the film appears sped up.     Title – Tower Pictorial News York Assizes Mr. Justice...

This film, made by G. Trafford Drayton of the Tower Cinema in York, documents Justice Talbot’s journey from the Judge’s Lodgings in Lendal to the Assize Court next to Clifford’s Tower.  The film includes rare footage of the towering Victorian Prison walls which surrounded Clifford’s Tower, prison, and court until they were demolished in 1934/5.  Due to technical issues when originally made, the action in the film appears sped up.     Title – Tower Pictorial News York Assizes Mr. Justice Talbot Leaving Judges House and arriving at the Assize Court Filmed from the side of the building, the dual staircase entrance to Judges Lodgings can be seen as a state coach, pulled by two horses, arrives.  The coachmen and attendants are dressed in special costume.   Men exit from a door on the ground floor of the building and get into the coach.  It looks to be autumn or winter as the nearby tree is almost bare.  The coach leaves, and a car pulls around for the other men.   A policeman on horseback escorts the carriage down Clifford Street.  A variety of traffic can be seen including a horse drawn cart, motorcar, a boy on a bicycle, as well as pedestrians.  The coach goes through the tower door to the interior of the prison grounds.  From the steps of the courthouse, two trumpeters announce the arrival of the Justice.  There is then a shot of the two men, both older and with white moustaches. Title – His Lordship The Bishop of Hull Here the film has suffered from nitrate damage, and the image is obscured.  There is a brief shot of the Bishop, and Clifford’s Tower and the prison walls can be seen in the background.  The remainder of the film includes panning shots of the exteriors of the court and prison filmed from an elevated position.  The film closes with shots of the top of the tower entrance.  The Magistrate Court clock tower can be seen as well as smoking chimneys from surrounding buildings.