Metadata
WORK ID: NEFA 21340 (Master Record)
Title | Year | Date |
THE REGENERATION OF REGGIE | 1929 | 1929-01-01 |
Details
Original Format: 16mm Colour: Black & White Sound: Silent Duration: 26 mins 52 secs Credits: Organisation: Newcastle & District Amateur Cinematographers' Association Directed and Produced by Fred S. Wearmouth Photography by Arthur G. Greaves and James Cameron Titles and effects by Fred S. Wearmouth and G. Eric Maughan Cast: 'Reggie' Fitzgerald - Wilfred Massey Rita Hunter - Hon. Vera Danvers Sir George Fitzgerald - Walter Dierick Lady Fitzgerald - Elsie Taylor Lord Cecil Danvers - James Cameron Lady Danvers - Mary Maughan Doctor Denton - John D. Andrew Prof. Robertson - W. R. Pape The bully - J. Lytton 'Bunty' Harcourt - Jack Adler Constable - James Stewart Butler - Roy Sturrock Maid - Lorna Andrew Nurse - Ethel Wilkinson Genre: Drama Subject: Seaside Rural Life Family Life |
Summary This amateur drama follows the transformation from wimp to He-Man of a pampered, upper-class son, whose character-building vacation on the Tyneside coast is cut short by a violent assault. Locations include the grounds of Wentworth Castle and the Whitley Bay Spanish City fairground. This film is a Newcastle & District Amateur Cinematographers’ Association (ACA) production. |
Description
This amateur drama follows the transformation from wimp to He-Man of a pampered, upper-class son, whose character-building vacation on the Tyneside coast is cut short by a violent assault. Locations include the grounds of Wentworth Castle and the Whitley Bay Spanish City fairground. This film is a Newcastle & District Amateur Cinematographers’ Association (ACA) production.
[Reel 1]
Title: The Regeneration of Reggie
Credit: An ACA Photoplay
Credit: Directed and Produced by Fred S....
This amateur drama follows the transformation from wimp to He-Man of a pampered, upper-class son, whose character-building vacation on the Tyneside coast is cut short by a violent assault. Locations include the grounds of Wentworth Castle and the Whitley Bay Spanish City fairground. This film is a Newcastle & District Amateur Cinematographers’ Association (ACA) production.
[Reel 1]
Title: The Regeneration of Reggie
Credit: An ACA Photoplay
Credit: Directed and Produced by Fred S. Wearmouth
Credit: Photography by Arthur G. Greaves and James Cameron
Credit: Titles and effects by Fred S. Wearmouth and G. Eric Maughan
Credits:
Cast “Reggie” Fitzgerald played by Wilfred Massey with Rita Hunter as the Hon. Vera Danvers
Sir George Fitzgerald – Walter Dierick
Lady Fitzgerald – Elsie Taylor
Lord Cecil Danvers – James Cameron
Lady Danvers – Mary Maughan
Doctor Denton – John D. Andrew
Prof. Robertson – W. R. Pape
The bully – J. Lytton
‘Bunty’ Harcourt – Jack Adler
Constable – James Stewart
Butler – Roy Sturrock
Maid – Lorna Andrew
Nurse – Ethel Wilkinson
Title: The Regeneration of Reggie by Roland Park
Title: Wentworth Castle The Ancestral Home of Sir George Fitzgerald
General view of Wentworth Castle. [Dark footage]
Title: Had Today Lost Some of its Usual Serenity
A butler presents two calling cards for R. Denton MD and H. Davis Robertson MD FRPS to Sir George and Lady Fitzgerald as they relax out in the castle grounds.
Title: “It is Denton and the specialist”
The butler escorts the two guests to Sir George and Lady Fitzgerald and they greet each other.
Title: “Maltby – just tell Mr Reginald, will you.”
Title: “We are afraid, Professor, that our son’s mental condition is not as it should be.”
They discuss their son with the medical specialists.
Title: Reggie
Portrait shot of Reggie in the woods, rather childishly chasing butterflies.
Title: -He has butterflies on the brain – (not to mention bats in the belfry!)
Reggie is wandering around the garden with a giant butterfly net when the butler drags him off to his mother and father, and the two medical guests, waiting on the lawn. The young man falls to his knees and hugs his mother like a young boy.
Title: “and some tea, Maltby
The doctor attempts to examine young Reginald. He shakes his handkerchief at the young man who doesn’t respond.
Title: “A fine young man, Sir George!”
The doctor points over Reginald’s shoulder.
Title: Look! – a butterfly.”
The boy races off with his net and sinks into the muddy edge of a pond in the castle grounds. His mother and the butler rush over to pick him up. He complains like a child about his muddy hands. The butler walks him back to the house, and checking he’s not seen, gives the young man a good shake in frustration.
Back on the lawn, the specialists offer their diagnosis.
Title: “Your son is merely spoilt, - send him out into the world.”
Reggie returns, cleaned up, and sits down with the group on the lawn.
Title: “Well, Reginald, I have decided that you need a holiday.”
Title: “Can I take Mum?”
Reginald opens up his arms towards his mother.
Title: “No! – and furthermore we shall not communicate with you for some time – “
Title: You must learn to be self-reliant.”
The young man looks despondent.
Title: At Torrington Towers, - a neighbouring estate -
A couple are deep in conversation inside the entrance hall of a grand mansion.
Title: Lord and Lady Danvers are also worried
The couple continue the conversation outside, Lady Danvers, in a fur-trimmed coat. They are concerned about their daughter’s would-be suitor.
Title: “Young Harcourt has just crossed the lawn, Cecil, - he is upsetting Vera and it must stop.”
They continue to watch from the portico of the grand house.
Title: Let us now introduce Vera, Reggie’s dearest friend
Vera is seated outside beside an ivy-clad stone wall. She smiles across at her friend.
Title: To whom he goes in his trouble and to say ‘goodbye’.
Reginald strides through the grounds of the neighbouring family, picking flowers as he goes.
Title: Vera meanwhile is being worried by the attentions of ‘Bunty’ Harcourt
Bunty Harcourt seems to be rather aggressive in persuading Vera of his affection for her. Reggie wanders up with the flowers, slamming them into the hands of Bunty, and tries to grab Vera’s shoulder. Bunty pushes him over. Vera turns towards him.
Title: “That was quite unnecessary – please go!”
Bunty throws the flowers at Reggie and storms away. Vera gets down with Reggie in the grass. They laugh together.
Title: “I – I’m going away Vera.”
He explains to Vera about the trip. Vera gently consoles him.
Title: And all by myself too
She pats his shoulder. Reggie helps her up, the wild flowers in her hand. He starts to leave, hesitates and turns back to speak, but instead continues on his way home. Vera looks down at the flowers sadly as he walks away through the trees.
Vera sits with her mother in the garden, looking very grumpy.
Title: I saw Harcourt looking for you today. Vera – you must not encourage him dear.”
She responds that she doesn’t.
Title: “You must run over and say ‘good-bye’ to Reggie.”
Vera perks up a little.
Title: And so begins his great adventure
A car pulls up outside Wentworth Castle to pick up Reggie. The butler puts his suitcase in the back seat. Reggie says goodbye to Vera.
Title: When just the art of being kind is all this sad world needs”
Vera and Reginald hug. Reggie gets into the back seat, his mother fussing over him. The car drives off.
[Reel 2]
Title: Southpool
Overhead shot of an open air pool on the seafront, possibly at Table Rock, Whitley Bay, (?). People promenade beside a boating pool at Whitley Bay’s Spanish City.
Title: Where the Sun Shines and Your Bank Balance Declines
Ladies lunch overlooking the war memorial on The Links, Whitley Bay, probably seated in the Empress Ballroom on the seafront.
Title: And one sees many things of interest!
A back shot of a row of young women in nylons and knee length skirts, leaning over the wall of the Spanish City roof top terrace in Whitley Bay. Women stroll around the terrace in the breeze.
Title: The “He-Man” in the making decides to see life
Reggie takes a ride on the children’s carousel at the Spanish City fairground, the only adult. In the background, there are various stalls such as the American Pick-A-ball, and a stall selling Harrogate Maynard’s Cream Toffee. Reggie gets scared on a fairground ride and keeps trying to grab the girl seated next to him, much to her annoyance.
Title: A chip of the old block – his ancestors were buccaneers
Reggie then takes a ride in a self-paddle boat, getting in the way of another bowler-hatted gent who is having difficulty. Next, Reggie is flat on his back sliding down the Helter-Skelter.
Title: Obviously “A Fool and his Money”, he is closely watched.
Outside on the promenade, Reggie pulls out his wallet to buy a Bertorelli ice cream from a vendor, sneakily watched by a shifty ne'er-do-well following him. Close-up of Reggie’s wallet stuffed with tempting bank notes.
Title: And one day
As Reggie strolls down a country road alone, he is attacked from behind with a crowbar by the crook, who knocks him down and steals his wallet. Reggie is left for dead beside the road. Luckily a man stops his car and checks him, sees he has been injured and drags him into his car. The thief, meanwhile, looks through the wallet happily, hiding nearby in the bushes. Then, he finds an Identity card in the wallet, and looks surprised.
Title: “Blimey! My old skipper’s son.”
The man who rescued Reggie returns with a policeman and shows him where he found the unfortunate young man.
Title: That night
The thief is seated with a constable at the local police station, having handed himself in.
Title: Is it sudden terror – unerring instinct – or remorse which makes a man relent
The police constable is on the telephone to Sir George Fitzgerald, Reggie’s father, explaining about the attacker’s confession.
Title: “You say this man has confessed?”
The telephone conversation continues.
Title: “anyhow, I must hold him meantime – how is Mr. Reginald?”
Sir Fitzgerald reports on Reggie’s condition.
Title: “Blood transfusion necessary you say, to save his life? I’m so – excuse me a moment”
The thief is suddenly quite animated.
Title: “Are you there, Sir George? – this fellow offers himself for the operation.”
Reggie’s father responds.
Title: “Bless my soul! I must see the doctor.”
After some discussion, both men end the conversation. Vera checks in with Sir George in his office to find out the news about Reggie.
Title: “I came over to ask about Reggie.”
Sir George tells Vera the news. Later, he and the doctor smoke a cigarette together.
Title: “and you will examine this man, Doctor?”
The doctor agrees. Close-up of the sign for “Elm Lodge Nursing Home”. Exterior shot of the building. Inside, the doctor and a young nurse are examining the thief as he sits in the same bed in which Reggie, his head bandaged, is laying.
Title: “Nurse, just tell the surgeon we are ready.”
Title: Some time later
A nurse helps the post-op Reggie to a chair outside the nursing home, next to the thief who has helped to save his life. Reggie is in his dressing gown and still has a bandaged head. The men talk.
Title: “You need have no regrets old man – I-I’m glad Dad fixed it with the police.”
Title: “You are coming to the Castle to work, aren’t you?”
Reggie has forgiven his attacker and places a hand on the man’s arm as they sit together. Back at the Danvers’ residence, Vera is reading his letter, clutching it to her heart and smiling.
Title: The result of a new determination and the fighting blood.
Reggie is getting fit, wrapped in a scarf, and trying to exercise on a rowing machine. A trainer is now employed to help him with his exercises.
Title: His tutor was so hard he used picric acid as a mouthwash.
The trainer helps Reggie into a rhythm on the rowing machine, so much so that he pulls him right off. He now oversees Reggie’s skipping exercise.
Title: “How long does this go on?”
Title: “Two hours a day.”
His new tutor flings a towel at Reggie, and they tussle playfully. Next, Reggie is in boxing gloves. The two spa together and Reggie is quite good, aiming a blow at his tutor’s head. The tutor rubs his face.
Title: “Boy – that was a ‘dandy’ and a credit to you!”
He rubs his sore jaw and praises Reggie.
Title: The return of a new and different Reggie
Back at the Wentworth Castle, Reggie arrives home, jumps out of the car and shakes his butler’s hand. He greets him so hard, the butler is taken aback by the young man’s strength. He greets his mother and father. He shakes hands with the butler so hard, the man’s hand hurts.
Meanwhile, the reformed criminal wanders down a road on his way towards Wentworth Castle, stopping a man in a Knickerbocker suit for directions. The man points to the entrance gates.
Title: “Wentworth Castle? - that’s one of the gates ahead.”
The man thanks him and continues on towards the gates. Back in the grounds of Wentworth Castle, Reggie introduces his attacker to Matthew, the gardener, as the two will be working together.
Title: “Well, Matthew, this is the man Dad spoke about.”
Matthew walks off arm in arm with the reformed thief. Reggie runs to greet his best friend, Vera, who is thrilled to see him again. They hold each other, but Vera’s troublesome would-be suitor ‘Bunty’ Harcourt appears suddenly. This time Reggie sees off the bullying man and Vera is delighted. The reformed thief and old gardener are now working together, when they spy Vera and Reggie, arm in arm, walking through the bushes. Vera sits down on the grass. A new man, Reggie now gets down on one knee to Vera.
Indoors, Reggie tries out his new style. He takes out a pipe from his pocket, which amuses Vera.
Title: “My hat – a pipe!”
He then picks up Vera romantically as if carrying her over the threshold.
As Vera is now combing her hair, he lights a cigarette and holds out the match for her to blow out.
Title: “Did my letters convey anything to you Vera?”
He finally tells her he loves her, takes her in his arms and kisses her.
Title: “The sudden silence and reserve when near. The eye that glistens with an unshed tear. Thus doth love speak.”
Seated together on a sofa (filmed from the back) in the dim light, Reggie holds Vera close to him as he smokes a cigarette. They snuggle up contentedly.
Title: The End
Note: This was the first production on which members of the Newcastle & District ACA worked after their formation in 1927, although earlier films exist filmed by individual members.
Context
The Regeneration of Reggie was one of the first films produced by the Newcastle and District Amateur Cinematographers Association (ACA). The ACA was set up in 1927 and the Newcastle and District ACA is the sole survivor of the five original ACA organisations in Britain. The cine club has captured a wide range of films through its almost century long existence. In the first decade alone, these include the official opening of The New Tyne Bridge in 1928, an amazing newsreel style compilation of...
The Regeneration of Reggie was one of the first films produced by the Newcastle and District Amateur Cinematographers Association (ACA). The ACA was set up in 1927 and the Newcastle and District ACA is the sole survivor of the five original ACA organisations in Britain. The cine club has captured a wide range of films through its almost century long existence. In the first decade alone, these include the official opening of The New Tyne Bridge in 1928, an amazing newsreel style compilation of Tyneside scenes and events in the early 1930s A Cine Gazette featuring the visit of famous cinema comedy duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy to Tynemouth, and The Coronation of George VI recording street parties in Newcastle’s west end.
The Regeneration of Reggie was filmed by Arthur G. Greaves and James Cameron Senior, a founding member of the Newcastle and District ACA, who also makes an appearance in the film as Lord Cecil Danvers. In the early days Cameron did a lot of filming for the ACA, including military displays, scripted films such as this one and even his own family holidays. Both Cameron’s son and daughter (James Cameron Junior and Janet Cameron) were also involved in the early days of film production for Newcastle & District ACA, with Janet frequently behind the camera. Arthur G. Greaves was chairman of Montagu Pictures, an amateur Newcastle film production unit, which won international and national awards. He was an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society and won an Amateur Cinema League (ACL) Ten Best award (the Oscar of the amateur world) for his 1931 documentary The Toilers, which was filmed in a neglected early 16mm colour format used in home movie making, now obsolete, called Kodacolor. Greaves later won the Scottish Amateur Film Festival Victor Savill Cup for the most outstanding film in 1937 with The Day Thou Gavest. As with many of the gifted early amateurs in filmmaking, he and his colleagues also received professional commissions from local businesses and organisations. Montagu Pictures documented the official opening of the Team Valley Trading Estate in Gateshead by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in February 1939. Team Valley was one of the best-known outcomes of the early Special Areas Act 1934, a palliative measure introduced first by Ramsay MacDonald’s Labour government, which encouraged the establishment of trading estates and light industries in areas hit hardest by the Depression of the 1930s. Two films of the visit by Montagu Pictures are also preserved at North East Film Archive. http://www.yorkshirefilmarchive.com/film/county-borough-gateshead-visit-their-majesties-king-and-queen-22-february-1939 http://www.yorkshirefilmarchive.com/film/visit-their-majesties-king-george-vi-and-queen-elizabeth-team-valley-trading-estate This ‘film story’, as they liked to call their fiction productions, was shot in 1929, just two years after the forming of the ACA. This was one of the first amateur fictions worked on, however earlier films do exist that were produced by individual members. This was still relative infancy for film as we know it. For example, In June 1929, Alfred Hitchcock’s Blackmail became the first British film with sound. In an article for Amateur Films, November 1929, the journal’s critic Terence L. Greenidge considered Regeneration of Reggie ‘better arranged, and the scenes at the pleasure-city by the sea showed signs of ingenious planning, but I disapproved of this picture because it turned out such a literal plagiarism of Paramount’s ‘Fighting Coward’. And yet one of the actors – alas, I have forgotten his name – gave us some marvellous work, subtly combined of reserve and eloquence, as the old sailor whom evil times had forced to become a foot-pad.” 1929 also saw the start of the Great Depression across the world, and this hit British industry hard, with a huge loss of jobs and less business than ever before. This came at a time when the UK was still recovering from the devastating effects of the First World War. Some historians have even argued that the UK suffered a twenty-year depression when compared to the likes of the USA. Traditional industries were concentrated in specific areas of England, such as the North East, while newer industries tended to be in the South and London. It was the traditional industries that felt the brunt of the financial crash, as demand for raw materials dried up and global trade came to a standstill. It’s worth noting that filmmaking at this time was a hugely expensive affair. The amateurs involved in the Newcastle & District ACA in its early days were likely to be drawn from the middle classes. While the techniques of film making may have changed, as well as the quality, there is still great value in looking at films such as this. For example, many amateur fiction films utilised location shoots in their local area and further afield and therefore captured on celluloid streets and buildings that no longer exist, so they can be a great window for looking into the past. One area shown in the film is Whitley Bay’s Spanish city and the funfair that took up permanent residence there. However, the fairground has since closed, and after years of decline refurbishments to the Spanish City were completed in July 2018. The Spanish City now operates as a dining and leisure centre. Through this film Spanish City can be seen at its peak, vibrant and full of life. Originally opened in 1910 as a concert hall, Spanish City was built as a smaller version of Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach. The funfair was made a permanent addition not long after due to its overwhelming popularity. Wentworth castle, located in South Yorkshire, features in the film as the home of the Fitzgerald family, but in reality used to belong to the Earls of Strafford. The castle is now run by the National Trust and the gardens opened to the public in June 2019 following restoration work, however the house itself now operates as a college and so is rarely available to members of the public. The formal gardens are made up of 63 acres while there is a further 500 acres of wider parkland. References: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/projects/the-latest-from-wentworth-castle-gardens https://spanishcity.co.uk/ https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/story-behind-whitley-bays-spanish-15316242 https://www.amateurcinema.org/index.php/filmmaker/arthur-g.-greaves Amateur Films, November 1929, ‘The Convention Films’, Terence L. Greenidge (Film Critic of Amateur Films). Copy held in the Newcastle & District ACA archive collections at NEFA |